Which jacket?

[Tattoo Bradley]

I'm gonna go along with the rest of the kilted herd and say "charcoal."

No doubt.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

In contrast to just about eveyone else who has expressed an opinion, I'm going to say go with one of the first two. Each of them has that classic Scottish "gun club" tweed look to it, and I think would look smashing when worn with a kilt.

Light or dark would just be your personal preference.

Only problem is you'd have to have these jackets shortened.

The House of Edgar woolen mill is offering several tweed patterns like this that are modeled after the old Scottish estate tweeds and gun club patterns.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/glen_tilt.htm

Though not pictured on the site, they also offer as part of the line a number of solids that are made to tone well with their tweed offerings.

I wish they were offering jackets made from these tweeds, but so far as I know they are not. You can purchase the cloth, though, and have a jacket made for you, and a vest.

Aye,
Matt

[Mattg]

I like the charcoal best. That's my vote

[Blu (Ontario)]

The cut and length of the jackets shown isn't suitable for kilts...

but the charcoal color is definitely the right choice.

.

[David Dalglish]

If modified, the charcoal jacket wins

[Wompet]

If PK: modified charcoal gray, hose up, no fez.
If XMarks: ... hmm ... of the three pictured, I would still go with the charcoal.
If time and money allow: Matt's suggestion of newly-constructed tweed kilt jacket, to match the PK, the XMarks, or - you also have that box-pleat tweed kilt, don't you?

Well, maybe not the tweed kilt. That much tweed may look more professorial than professional ... a good look, but not the one you're going for.

[pdcorlis]

I'm with Matt - pick from jacket 1 or 2 - and the jacket will need to be shortened or your upper/lower body proportions will look odd.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Sorry guys, I should have made it clear that these are off the rack jackets that I will be modifying (a la Alan H!) to be kilt jackets.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

OK, I hit the local thrift stores today (the conference is the week of 8/21, so I need to get cracking!). Not too many selections, especially in tweed, which I think will be the most versatile. It is difficult to find a jacket that will:

1) fit correctly (especially with my gorilla arms)
2) match the most kilts
3) have patch pockets (almost impossible)
4) look good to my eye

Anyway, I did find the jacket below and will be following Alan H's directions for modifying it. I actually did/do want a light colored jacket for even mor casual occasions and may try to get the one in the first pic and modify it. Since I spent a grand total of $2.71 on this jacket, I can afford to make a mistake or two with it. The biggest concern I have is moving te pockets. Patch pockets are easy, just use a seam ripper to take them off and re-sew them where you want. This has lash pockets. However, it has no vents, and is tailored tight at the waist. So I am hoping I can take the material I cut off and make patch pockets that hide the existing slash ones.

Anyway, here are the pics, first a closeup to show the color and pattern:


The front:


And the back:




As a sidenote, I did determine that a double breasted jacket that was smaller than you normally wear, or a 3 button jacket smaller than you wear (like this on me) will actually eliminate some of the tailoring. Not vents in the back is also a plus.

[Moose McLennan]

My vote would be for the light tweed for business if you've a taller build and lighter complexion, at least with the darker kilt. You don't necessarily have to look sombre to be smartly dressed and it is important to present a friendly at communicative impression.

Just my 2 cents.

M.