Mess Jacket Conversion

**LPF** · 8th May 14, 06:46 PM

Here is a question for the rabble. I just picked up a tux that I think will make a nice mess jacket. My question is should I cut the back straight across or come to a point in the middle? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

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**Chas** · 9th May 14, 03:23 AM

Straight across - I've never heard of one coming to a point.

**Tobus** · 9th May 14, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

Straight across - I've never heard of one coming to a point.

This is what a typical American mess jacket looks like from the back. It dips to a point in the centre.

**Orionson** · 9th May 14, 05:03 AM

Tobus, did you get your magnificent hose from Josh Brown? He made mine and I could not be happier with the quality.

**Nathan** · 9th May 14, 05:04 AM

LPF, that jacket would also make a fine Prince Charlie Coatee if you had any desire for one.

**Chas** · 9th May 14, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

This is what a typical American mess jacket looks like from the back. It dips to a point in the centre.

Thanks for that, Tobus. Learned something new today.

**Tobus** · 9th May 14, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Orionson

Tobus, did you get your magnificent hose from Josh Brown? He made mine and I could not be happier with the quality.

Yep, that's where they came from. And while I had some disappointments in other items from him, I must admit the hose are wonderful. They were made precisely to my measurements, and he colour-matched the kilt perfectly. They are very high quality hose. The price on his custom hose has gone significantly up over the years, though. Yowza, those are pricy!

**LPF** · 9th May 14, 08:11 PM

Thank you Tobus, that's what I thought. Yes Nathan it would make a nice Prince Charlie, but I also picked up at the same store another tux with tails that is a closer match to the Prince Charlie. Think I'll try the Mess Jacket first as it is a much easier conversion. As always, thanks for the input.

**Benning Boy** · 9th May 14, 09:14 PM

I've been thinking about mess jackets a little lately, not much just a little. I've been looking at pictures of mess jackets and things of a similar cut. I strikes me that the best looking "tail" on a mess jacket would be one that is cut somewhat long, long enough to cover sporran straps, kilt buckles and all that other stuff, with the curve of the tail being tailored to follow the natural contours of the body. The short one illustrated above is just plain timid. If making one, don't fight your natural shape, work with it, that would be the way I'd go. I don't care much for all this traditional hokum that gets preached here. You're doing your own thing by wearing a kilt, do your own thing when it comes to other things you wear. Cut you mess jacket to flatter, not conform to unwritten kilt laws. To put it another way, you dare to be different by wearing a kilt, so dare to be different from other kilt wearers. Be your own designer. Maybe I'm just being testy for no darned good reason at all, but like I said, I've been thinking a little about mess jackets lately trying to determine what looks well, not what looks legal.