how should my argyll jacket fit?

[OC Richard]

I'm going to be in the minority, and probably wrong to boot, but as a working piper I need to look smart but at the same time I want to be as comfortable as possible and also put on as little kit as possible.

So I've taken to dispensing with the waistcoat and belt and buttoning the jacket. Buttoning the jacket also keeps the jacket in place while playing the pipes. When I wear an unbuttoned jacket with waistcoat the jacket always ends up in disarray.

About fit, since I have to shove a set of pipes up under one arm and have both arms extended playing the chanter I want the jacket to be somewhat big overall.

[Father Bill]

And OC - in my personal and unprofessional eyes, you always look good, professional, and stylish without ever pushing the envelope or going over the edge.

[Jock Scot]

And OC - in my personal and unprofessional eyes, you always look good, professional, and stylish without ever pushing the envelope or going over the edge.

Quite right Bill, OCR’s attire is a credit to the piper’s trade. As he so rightly points out with the needs and practicalities of wearing kilt attire when playing the pipes, then it does usually require the jacket to be buttoned.

But, BUT, those requirements do not normally apply to general kilt attire requirements where these days the jacket is normally and traditionally left un- buttoned. Now, perhaps from a historical.......depending largely on the era ......point of view things may have been different, but from a traditional point of view un- buttoned is the usual choice for most.

[Macman]

About fit, since I have to shove a set of pipes up under one arm and have both arms extended playing the chanter I want the jacket to be somewhat big overall.

Exactly! My band jacket is a little bigger and looser than my own. I like mine tailored to fit, while the band jacket is tailored for piping.

[Garth]

I concur with Father Bill. OC you look dapper. A mark of a true gentleman.

[OC Richard]

Thanks gents!

For sure the traditional way is to wear a waistcoat and leave the jacket unbuttoned. Wearing a jacket sans waistcoat was rare in the old days.

But it's usually warm here in Southern California, and while the jacket is necessary (for a smart professional appearance) the waistcoat is not, and the waistcoat adds another layer of wool.

When it's cool enough, I do add the waistcoat, and the jacket is left open, as seen at this funeral.

(That could be Arran over there, or Skye, but it's Santa Catalina Island.)

[gsmacleod]

Most of my kilt jackets will comfortably button even though I wear them open. I do have one that, while it will button is not as comfortable and if I were to want to button my jacket, wouldn't chose this one.

DSC_0845.jpg

Shane

[OC Richard]

In the Pipe Band world, many people need a wide range of motion in the arms of their Argyll jackets, for example Drum Majors (here, multiple-time World Champion Drum Major Jason Paguio)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdU9kda2BBQ

And here, back in 2014, is SFU at The Worlds wearing jackets. You can see the challenges of playing Tenor Drum wearing an Argyll jacket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNcM5kHh_Jw

St Kilda (Scotland) says they introduced their "Piper Flex" Argyll jackets in 2009, having a back panel of a stretch wool blend, for Pipe Band use. In spite of this I almost never see a Midsection in jackets nowadays, even if the Pipe Corps and Side Drummers are wearing them.

In fact, jackets have fallen almost completely out of use in the Pipe Band world. It's been years since a band in the Grade One Finals at The Worlds has worn them. Nowadays it's waistcoats only, a combination of expense and comfort driving the change.

[Mike S]

In fact, jackets have fallen almost completely out of use in the Pipe Band world. It's been years since a band in the Grade One Finals at The Worlds has worn them. Nowadays it's waistcoats only, a combination of expense and comfort driving the change.

Yes, and that is too bad. It is a trend in looks that I don't care for, and is entirely too informal for a Pipe Band IMO.