Opinions Wanted: New Kilt Jacket (PIC)

[CMcG]

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.

That would probably be the Scottish Tartan Museum's Kilt Shop that we were discussing from post #30. Unfortunately, they don't seem to offer them anymore. *edit* Glen beat me to the punch!

Any thoughts on my solution, Jock?

[Leatherneck Donald]

I think "skinny suits" like the youngsters wear today (Jimmy Fallon comes to mind) look pretty silly, like a kid playing dress up. However, I think the OP really hit the nail on the head and looks very smart in this jacket. If I saw him in that jacket wearing khakis, I'd scoff and mutter something about young whippersnappers being in my yard, but as a modern, lightweight kilt jacket, with his build and frame, it looks great. Good job!

[BCAC]

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.

Yes, Jock, it was Matt Newsome selling them for the STM. We've mentioned it in passing. Way too expensive (more expensive than a Black Barathea Argyll with silver buttons and a matching waistcoat!) and linen crumples too much. I'm not sure if they are still available. I couldn't find them under "kilt jackets" on their site but, after a search here, I found a series of posts from someone who said the same thing (not being able to find the linen jacket on their site) and he was told to contact STM and that they were still available. This was from about a year ago.

[creagdhubh]

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.

It may well be, Glen. Here is yours truly wearing the same style of jacket (thornproof tweed in a very dark charcoal, almost black) from Kinloch Anderson:

[Tobus]

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:

It's true that many of those older examples show jackets with a more-or-less "square" front, without any sort of rounded cutaway for the sporran. However, if you'll notice, these jackets do not come anywhere close to interfering with the sporrans, because it appears that the jackets are not even made to button in front (most notably in your first two examples). Note, for instance, the distance between the pocket flaps and the buttons or button holes. They are very close, compared to modern kilt jackets that can be buttoned.

If the paintings are to be taken at face value, it appears that the buttons are merely decorative, and the fronts of the jackets are intentionally made with a gap in the middle. This results in a very tailored and form-hugging fit of the jacket around the sides and back, but without the front of the jacket swinging around like open barn doors in the wind (which is one of my major annoyances when wearing an open jacket). This gap, of course, conveniently displays the sporran and waistcoat as we see in the portraits.

I think if I were to have a custom bespoke kilt jacket and waistcoat made, I'd probably want to investigate that type of design. It just looks more tidy and comfortable to wear.

But yes, I absolutely agree that there is a market demand for lightweight summer kilt jackets which look traditional! Matt's tropical linen jacket was a valiant effort, though I feared it suffered from the crush/wrinkle woes of linen, and had a very modern 'clean' look to my eye. But I would imagine that it would be difficult to find a good lightweight material that is suitable for jackets without requiring too much in the way of internal structure (making it too hot to wear).

[Jock Scot]

That would probably be the Scottish Tartan Museum's Kilt Shop that we were discussing from post #30. Unfortunately, they don't seem to offer them anymore. *edit* Glen beat me to the punch!

Any thoughts on my solution, Jock?

I suppose if you can't get linen then a light cotton jacket is the next best option. Silk would be an expensive option, I suppose, but I think that I would prefer a more "kilt cut" style jacket, if it were me.

[creagdhubh]

I suppose if you can't get linen then a light cotton jacket is the next best option. Silk would be an expensive option, I suppose, but I think that I would prefer a more "kilt cut" style jacket, if it were me.

I think even a very lightweight tweed (10-11oz) would be fine for warmer weather. It wouldn't wrinkle as much as your typical summer fabrics such as linen, cotton, or seersucker.

[BCAC]

I think even a very lightweight tweed (10-11oz) would be fine for warmer weather. It wouldn't wrinkle as much as your typical summer fabrics such as linen, cotton, or seersucker.

I found some, with the google stream "lightweight kilt jacket", which are a mixture of wool and lycra (which is, supposedly, the right mixture?), but they still cost, for the jacket alone, the same price as a Black Barathea Argyll with silver buttons and a matching waistcoat.

[TheOfficialBren]

Kilt jackets are sometimes absurdly over-priced considering what they are and seem to often be made from the same handful of makers in a sweatshop in Pakistan and resold by dozens of vendors for a ridiculous markup.

Some are well-worth the pricetag. Some are not

Lightweight fabrics abound, yet the makers seem to be ignoring the demands of the consumers. Do so at your peril. Soon someone will swoop in and earn the money that you stubbornly left on the table.

No wonder the ubiquitous BBA jacket becomes the standard in many cases...and gets worn at highly inappropriate times.