Opinions on a bargain Ebay "Kilt" jacket?

[Chefdave]

In my search for a bargain jacket, I found this on Ebay.

It's a horse riding jacket and cost me all of $13 shipped so I figured it was worth the risk. I don't really like the Western style flashing on the front and back but it might work for an upcoming Burns Night.

Any opinions?

[ChattanCat]

Go for it. Time is running out for preparation for Burns night. Our dinner is Saturday.

[davidlpope]

It doesn't necessarily look bad in the abstract, but it is distinct enough compared to a regular style of kilt jacket that I think you may spend a large part of the night explaining that it is a horse-riding jacket that you bought off ebay. The satin accents and cut of the jacket make it stand out as different than a Prince Charlie or am Argyll.

Sometimes trying to find an affordable jacket that will go with a kilt complicates matters too much. Most folks understand that Scottish clothing is expensive and takes a while to collect. I think it looks better to be a little understated at a formal event if there is a generally accepted style of clothing worn. (For example, wearing a simple black suit to a non-kilted black-tie event is better than wearing one of those frilly-fronted powder blue tuxes...)

My suggestion is to wear a good white shirt, a black bow-tie, and a black vest. These are pretty easy to come by and will look sharp and tasteful. A handful of silver diamond-shaped buttons to add to the vest and you'll look like you've just taken off your jacket during the festivities!

Cordially,
David

[BoldHighlander]

My suggestion is to wear a good white shirt, a black bow-tie, and a black vest. These are pretty easy to come by and will look sharp and tasteful. A handful of silver diamond-shaped buttons to add to the vest and you'll look like you've just taken off your jacket during the festivities!

Cordially,
David

Or go here to order a vest w/ silver buttons for $30 to $35 (bottom of page) :
http://www.stjamesbagpipes.com/jackets_vests.html

Good luck!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well, maybe if you rode in on a horse... No, seriously I'd have to agree with David. I think you'd be a lot more comfortable (socially and physically) in a white shirt, black bow tie and a black waistcoat. You can always get a more formal jacket later on.

[Panache]

My honest opinion is that this jacket would be fun to wear as part of a Western formal outfit with black jeans, gleaming black boots, dress belt, formal white shirt, black string tie, and black hat. I have done such on occassion and looked quite dashing.

I don't feel that it is a good jacket to try to marry with a kilt. Western wear and traditional Highland attire are both so distinctive that they don't blend well together. I wrote a lengthy post about it a while back and will see if I can find it.

For $13 you got a nice looking jacket. It just isn't a great kilt jacket.

Cheers

Jamie

[Chef]

Well I can't say for sure...I think I would want to see it with the kilt but I'm guessing I will end up agreeing with Jamie. What ever you do though, just don't wear it with a black kilt you'll end up looking like a kilted Johnny Cash.

[Panache]

Here is the post more fully explaining my thoughts:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...2&postcount=43

Even with a lot of time and money invested it would be very hard to turn that jacket from one extreme to another.

Cheers

Jamie

[thescot]

Shoot! Sew on some silver buttons and wear it. It'll look fine with silver buttons, and very few will not know the difference. Tell 'em it's a Brian Baru jacket. Who'll know but us, and we won't tell.

Well, Jaimie might, but he won't be there.

[McMurdo]

My opinion don't wear it for Burns, it is just too far along the scale from a proper kilt jacket to look right, and yes others will know, whether or not they say anything will tell you what kind of character those around you have.