Tweed Jacket Conversion

[Bugbear]

I'm not at all an expert in this, but the side vents are normal on this style of jacket from what I have read. Looking at mine, a DIY conversion, the jacket would not fit correctly across the back if it had no vents like an Italian style jacket. Also, the back center vent did not work as well as the two side vents because the back didn't lay flat across the small of the back. It would have made the whole conversion easier, but it just did not fit correctly until I opened the side vents.

So yes, Sionnach, you are doing the right thing by leaving them. English style jackets and double breasted jackets tend to have the two side vents. If you wer closing a back vent and opening sides, you would need to put same-fabric panels behind the vents so you don't see the kilt through the vent, but yours should already have something like that.