Opinions Wanted: New Kilt Jacket (PIC)

[Sean D]

Colin , I think the jacket works with the kilt despite it bieng a " saxon" jacket , I have also taken this forumn to be mostly about kilts not necessarily about correct "highland " attire.
We can discuss the buttons , and the cut and the cuffs etc however to me it is not interfering with the pleats and looks quite good . If you were wanting to or were required to dress in traditional highland attire then there are those who would disagree however in the context you were wearing it I think you pulled off the look well sir . I sometimes think we are a bit quick to lable something "saxon" or " highland " and then be critical for mixing highland and saxon wear together obviously wearing a saxon blazer with highland dress would be frowned upon in certain circles however in the context that you wore it and asked the Esteemed Rabble . I think it looks very good

[CMcG]

As a jacket that's not designed for wear with a kilt, I think it looks great!

There is something that didn't seem quite right from the picture of the front, and I couldn't put my finger on it until I saw the rear view. From the back, it looks just right. The curves toward the bottom of the front opening are more gentle/gradual than on most kilt jackets, which actually (to me) makes the jacket look longer than it really is.

But that's only a minor quibble - a cotton jacket sounds great for the summer heat, so I hope you are able to take full advantage of a cool look (in more ways than one)!

I came back to this idea and decided to measure. It appears there's some credence to way the cut and proportions of the front of my jacket may make it appear longer than it is. My Harris tweed Argyll is 25.5" long in the back while my new cotton blazer is barely an inch longer at 26.5". I haven't measured the curve of the sporran "cut-out" but it is probably steeper than the average kilt jacket, though still within the range. The lapels are definitely narrower than what one usually sees on traditional kilt jacket, as BCAC pointed out. Seeing the group shot that Glen posted, these factors not only make the jacket look longer, they also make me look taller

[BCAC]

Ah, so you would prefer a more traditional looking jacket.

Not only can I "live with" the one I bought, I really like it! Being able to wear my jacket with both kilts and p@nts is an added, frugal bonus, but wasn't the sole arbiter of my choice. My tastes run towards the more contemporary end of THCD, though I was very cautious about not covering my pleats or sporran with the jacket. Things like single vs. double vent or lapel width are merely a question of aesthetics to me and I like the variety my new jacket offers.

As I mentioned in the OP, I like the Duke of Rothesay's stripped down kilt jackets. I also like some of the styling from 21stcenturykilts, though I still prefer tartan kilts and sporrans. In fact, my jacket has more of a sporran opening than Howie Nicholsby's kilt jackets, as you can see from the pics below:

The STM used to offer a linen kilt jacket for about $300, but I'm not seeing it on their website anymore. Linen also happens to rumple quite easily. Thus far, I'm pleased with the cotton twill on mine because it is light, but resists wrinkles a bit better than linen. Does anyone still make a summer kilt jacket?

Here's Matt Newsome modeling the STM linen kilt jacket. It had double vents, for those who prefer that:

Good info, Colin, for all XMarkers that hadn't seen those before. I knew them, and with all due respect for Howie Nicholsby's obvious tailoring talent, I wouldn't call those kilt jackets. Most of the other things I wouldn't call kilts either, but that's another battle!

The STM's linen kilt jacket was going along the right lines, it's still missing a bit of sporran cutaway, I'm not partial to three buttoned "kilt" jackets, linen is probably not a good choice (crumples too easily) and WAY too expensive. Even more expensive than a traditional Black Barathea Argyll with a matching waistcoat.

There's a niche market out there waiting for someone to fill!

[rondo]

I think your jacket looks great...Carry on.
Rondo

[TheOfficialBren]

Colin, I'd wear a jacket like that without a second though.



This thread is turning everything that I thought I knew about kilt jackets on its head.

Personally, I find no fault with wearing modern era accoutrements that nod firmly in the direction of tradition whilst serving to preserve that tradition and keep THCD alive for the 22nd century. (Not a typo.)

[creagdhubh]

There's a niche market out there waiting for someone to fill!

Yes, there is!

[CMcG]

...

There's a niche market out there waiting for someone to fill!

Considering how many kilt-wearers live in warmer climates, I'm surprised that no-one has made a move to fill that niche. I suppose the lack of options contributes to the generally more casual look seen at many Highland Games outside Scotland... and drives people like me to find other solutions

Colin, I'd wear a jacket like that without a second though.



This thread is turning everything that I thought I knew about kilt jackets on its head.

Personally, I find no fault with wearing modern era accoutrements that nod firmly in the direction of tradition whilst serving to preserve that tradition and keep THCD alive for the 22nd century. (Not a typo.)

I think it is a worthwhile exercise to question things, especially when it comes to categories constructed by economic motivations. Items designated as belonging to Highland attire typically cost more than equivalent garments or accessories, so it is in the best interest of retailers to maintain strict boundaries between them. Examples abound, including my new blazer, but there are also things like casual "kilt-belts" that are basically the same as a work-belt from the hardware store, but cost two to three times as much.

There are also economies of scale that play into it, where the kilt market is smaller than the non-kilt market. In order to keep costs down, sellers end up with a restricted amount of options, which forces people to choose within them and reinforces the normalization of those choices. Looking back to a time when people got their clothes made, rather than purchasing them off the rack, we often see a much greater variety in Highland attire than the more codified range of the last few generations.

As much as I like some of the contemporary kilt jackets mentioned previously, there is also older precedent for jackets with less sporran cutaway, less detailing, and/or longer length. See some of the daywear jackets from MacLeay's Highlanders of Scotland:

[CMcG]

On the other hand, Kinloch Anderson also has daywear jackets that are a bit further from the standard Argyll:

[Jock Scot]

Perhaps I am wrong, but I seem to recall that some one had linen kilt cut kilt jackets for sale here some time ago. In my view linen would be a perfect choice for those that want to cut a dash in the un Scottish weather found in some places abroad.

[McMurdo]

Perhaps I am wrong, but I seem to recall that some one had linen kilt cut kilt jackets for sale here some time ago. In my view linen would be a perfect choice for those that want to cut a dash in the un Scottish weather found in some places abroad.

I think you mean the jacket Matt Newsome had for sale some time ago through the Scottish Tartan Museum. As for the photo Colin posted above it looks as if the jacket is too large.