Jacket for the KILT

[Günter]

Hallo,
I'm looking for an unformal jacket for upcoming cool spring evenings.

somthing causual.

Anyone an idea

regards
Günter

[Jock Scot]

Simple answer,a tweed Argyll(type) will serve you well.For a tad more formal look get a matching waistcoat(vest) too.The combination will see you through almost any event from funerals to BBQ's.

[Mael Coluim]

I've recently ordered this jacket for the upcoming spring.

[Chef]

I think the answer greatly depends on what you mean by "unformal".

Do you mean not black tie or do you mean casual, and if so how casual?

[The Wizard of BC]

There are a few options for you.

The Argyle Jacket is considered day wear. Some people think the silver buttons and fancy cuffs are still too formal for wear like a sport coat.

There are two other versions of the same jacket. One is called the Braemar and one the Crail. The difference is in the cuff treatment.

If you have a kilt shop nearby it is always good to take a look in person. Then you can go to the websites of any reputable dealer. Rocky at USA Kilts, Matt at the Scottish Tartans Museum both handle jackets. However, they are in the US and shipping and taxes can sometimes add quite a bit to the cost.

Another alternative is my kilt-cut sport coat which you can see pictures of in the Freedom Kilts section of this forum. But again, I am across the water in Canada and you would have the same problem with shipping and taxes.

I would suggest you ask your question over at www.kiltforum.org. It is another forum but with a european twist. It is run by one of our members who lives in Den Hague.

[McMurdo]

I would suggest either a Braemar or an Argyll Jacket, the Braemar has the same style cuff as a Prince Charlie whereas the Argyll has a gauntlet cuff, really the cuff style is a matter of choice, I find that the Braemar looks more dressy than the Argyll mostly due to cuff detail.
For Illustration purposes

This is a Braemar with waistcoat from Hector Russell


This is a Harris Tweed Argyll I was lucky enough to find used in a local tartan shop

Please excuse my hair in that last shot I was sorely in need of a cut.

[Cerebite]

Minor but related tangent....
What is the rabbles opinion on tie options with a tweed jacket.
-Should we stick with a tweed/ wool tie or can a solid silk/ polyester tie be pressed into service?

-Should colour match the jacket or highlight a colour of the tartan?

I am tending towards the way that McMurdo is doing it in the above pictures but wanted to know the opinions and options.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The only "tie" rules are the black tie/white tie rules. Just like wearing a suit, you can wear whatever tie you want. While Chef has been accused of being a kilt snob, I've been charged with being a member of the Waffen-SS Kilt Regiment. That said, when I wear a tie with my kilt I usually wear my club tie (Royal Scots Club). But if the mood takes me, I'll wear a tartan tie, a silk foulard tie, my school tie (cardinal and gold stripes), a knit tie, and on Graham Hill's birthday, a blue bow tie with white polka dots.

The whole trick is to have the tie look good with the shirt. The easiest way to avoid messing up is to stick with either light blue or white oxford cloth shirts, preferably with button down collars. Why button downs? Aside from the fact that they are a classic style that will never go out of fashion, they work well and look good with or without a waistcoat.

[Bugbear]

Hmmm, that's interesting...

Sense we're not talking about formal clothing, I like to pare textures in most cases. That is, I like to wear wool ties with a wool kilt. I guess, just try not to put colors together that clash.

It sounds like the first post is talking about a fairly casual jacket, but I don't know how casual. I think the jackets with the band around the bottom might work better with a kilt if you're just picking one out that isn't ment for a kilt.

And I don't think you're "a member of the Waffen-SS Kilt Regiment," but it sounds funny, MacMillan of Rathdown. I doubt I will ever end up at a black tie event, so we probably don't need to worry about each other.

Just between you and me, MacMillan of Rathdown, I think you are a very valuable member of X Marks, and many of us have learned from you.

[Farlander]

Check out some of the Jacket conversion threads in the DYI section. You can make your own Crail for about $10.00 (the least formal of the typical kilt jackets).

For something even more casual, StillWater used to make a leather kilt jacket for about $200.00.