HERE'S a TREAT

[MacLowlife]

Upon seeing a larger version of that photo, I believe the K-A doublet is actually paired with a Black Watch kilt. I am prepared to be corrected, but take a look: http://www.kinlochanderson.com/blog/...ion-april-2011

[OC Richard]

The exhibit was not about immigration to Ellis Island. The exhibit was called "A Celebration of Tartan" and it happened to be on Ellis Island

Thanks for the clarification. The exhibit as it appears in that photo is strange, though.

The fact that the exhibit was at Ellis Island cannot but make a connexion to immigration, however. If you put an exhibit in The Polynesian Cultural Center viewers would connect it to Polynesian culture, if you put an exhibit in The Museum of the Confederacy viewers would connect it with the Confederacy.

Here's the Ellis Island site. The word "immigration" appears in nearly every sentence

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy...d_visiting.asp

Anyhow one thing that bothers me in that photo is the military No2 Dress tunic which is displayed open and unbuttoned. It would never be worn that way, why display it that way?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Upon seeing a larger version of that photo, I believe the K-A doublet is actually paired with a Black Watch kilt. I am prepared to be corrected, but take a look: http://www.kinlochanderson.com/blog/...ion-april-2011

It was on a black shadow tartan -- possible House of Edgar's Dark Isle tartan, if I remember correctly. I believe the flash in the photo in the above linked picture is picking up on the Jacquard woven design and making it look like there is more color there than in reality. (I saw the exhibit in the flesh, so I know it was not on a Black Watch kilt).

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Thanks for the clarification. The exhibit as it appears in that photo is strange, though.

The fact that the exhibit was at Ellis Island cannot but make a connexion to immigration, however. If you put an exhibit in The Polynesian Cultural Center viewers would connect it to Polynesian culture, if you put an exhibit in The Museum of the Confederacy viewers would connect it with the Confederacy.

Here's the Ellis Island site. The word "immigration" appears in nearly every sentence

http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy...d_visiting.asp

Anyhow one thing that bothers me in that photo is the military No2 Dress tunic which is displayed open and unbuttoned. It would never be worn that way, why display it that way?

Easy answer. Because when the exhibit was being put together it was discovered that the tunic was too small for the display form and that was the best that could be managed at short notice!

The Tartan Day exhibition on Ellis Island is not put on by the Ellis Island museum, but by the Clan Currie Society, who for a number of years have been given space on Ellis Island to put on special exhibits on Tartan Day. In the past the exhibits have had different focuses, including immigration, Scottish crafts, etc. You can see a listing of past events here:
http://www.tartandayonellisisland.co...-Programs.html

In 2011, when I was there, the theme was "A Celebration of Tartan" and as I said, included examples past and present, authentic and "Holywood." There were even some original costumes from Brigadoon on display. My image posted here was just one little snapshot of a larger display, which was all privately funded.

[Jock Scot]

Easy answer. Because when the exhibit was being put together it was discovered that the tunic was too small for the display form and that was the best that could be managed at short notice!

The Tartan Day exhibition on Ellis Island is not put on by the Ellis Island museum, but by the Clan Currie Society, who for a number of years have been given space on Ellis Island to put on special exhibits on Tartan Day. In the past the exhibits have had different focuses, including immigration, Scottish crafts, etc. You can see a listing of past events here:
http://www.tartandayonellisisland.co...-Programs.html

In 2011, when I was there, the theme was "A Celebration of Tartan" and as I said, included examples past and present, authentic and "Holywood." There were even some original costumes from Brigadoon on display. My image posted here was just one little snapshot of a larger display, which was all privately funded.

Well said Matt.

Ah yes that old chestnut again. We all know the one, the dangers of drawing incorrect conclusions from pictures. You know, 2 and 2 does not always make four, sometimes it makes 22.

[MacLowlife]

A quick detour from the rails...

Thanks, Matt, for clarifying the kilt with the silk tartan doublet. I am eager to hear what the THCD crowd think of silk doublets in general- ones of this type, which seems to be Dupioni, not silk velvet. In view of the much mentioned modern tendency to heat ballrooms more than older traditions, I would think a stiff silk would make an excellent alternative doublet. Is it too "alternative"? I have seen several tartans in Dupioni, but most of the garments I have seen it made up in were for women. I expect it would make a nice summer-weight jacket of just about any type: DJ, Saxon sport coat, etc. Why not a dressy doublet?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Well, I'm not a huge fan of Dupioni silk; I much prefer the finer silk as woven by D. C. Dalgliesh. That being said, if the cost were removed from the equation, I'd wear a silk tartan formal doublet, sure. It would have to be a pretty snazzy occasion. :-)

[Aussie_Don]

How about this??

There's a nice contrast between the pattern of the jacket and the plain kilt... but let's face it, it's hideous.

My eyes are watering.........

Ouch!

-Don

[eagle43172]

I'm sometimes shocked at how we (collectively) in this forum (and as kilt wearers in general)) believe that 40 or 50 year old kilt jackets are cool to wear. Does the same apply to Saxon jackets of the same period in the same pattern? Fashions change, and IMHO sometimes they change for the worse. I was a teenager in the 70's and (I'm ashamed to say) owned a baby blue cotton three piece corduroy suit with flared pants and 5 inch lapels. It didn't look silly then, in fact it was thought quite cool, but I wouldn't wear something like it now except to a 70's themed costume party. It appears the jackets referenced were quite in vogue in their period, and even though made in Scotland to me they now just look out dated and a bit like a costume. Even if they were my size, I wouldn't have bid.
I guess the buyer can always find a 4 inch wide polyester tie to wear with it.
Just my 2 cts.
Dave

[Hopper250]

I'm with eagle, those jackets look great in the old photos, but I'd rather a charcoal, black or other dark grey. I'm not in favor of those old jackts.