Traditional Kilt/Contemporary Formal Jacket

[Phil]

I'm wondering if anyone has or has seen a modern replacement for the Prince Charlie? I am looking for a formal jacket to wear with my traditional kilt to a black tie event, but the Prince Charlie look with all of it's silver buttons isn't necessarily what I'm after. Looking at the history of the jacket it doesn't seem that it's changed much since it's introduction in the Victorian era. Meanwhile the dinner jacket and tail coat have continued to evolve over time.

The Prince Charlie is a fairly modern development (when I say modern I mean the last 50 years or so). Before that formal dress was one of the various doublets, the Montrose being the most usual and the Regulation as the most formal. The tradition of silver buttons worn by Scots goes back into the mists of time and derived from those who fought far from home, gallowglasses in Ireland and mercenaries in continental Europe. Having silver buttons was intended to pay for a decent burial if unfortunate enough to be killed or die far from home.

[Riverkilt]

You might consider many of the replica Civil War jackets available as an option. Many are high cut and the officer's jackets have quite a formal spirit to them. Might need to leave off or take off some of the fancy braid.

Ron

[Bugbear]

Peel, I feel a bit the same about the silver buttons... I would think regular buttons would be forgivable.

[Riverkilt]

And don't forget What Price Glory www.whatpriceglory.com who offer some find looking replica Ike jackets, battle jackets, and Scottish jackets - all high cut.

And then there's your local uniform supply shop/or on line websites who offer Ike type jackets for police and corrections officers.

Ron

[NHskimoose]

Has there been any success at using a sports coat as a kilt jacket?

And are there any less then formal off the shelf jackets from mens stores or department stores that have been used?

Thanks

[McMurdo]

NHskimoose

take a look through the Do it yourself section of the forum there have been several jacket conversions.

[Bugbear]

Has there been any success at using a sports coat as a kilt jacket?

And are there any less then formal off the shelf jackets from mens stores or department stores that have been used?

Thanks

Lots of members, including me, have taken sport jackets and converted them into kilt jackets. You have to raise the hem line of the jacket to above the fell line of the kilt: several inches usually. Also, a curved cutaway has to be formed at the opening of the jacket, as well as, several other changes and modifications. Plenty of threads floating around on that as McMurdo says.

This will produce a modern, contemperary kilt jacket that potentially looks good. It won't be a traditional Argyle jacket.

Eton and mess jackets can often be used without any tailoring; usually just a change of buttons. Those are formal jackets, though.

[NHskimoose]

Thanks for the advice. I may head to a tailor and have them make the adjustments.

Thanks All.
Nhskimoose

[jrmiller]

I simply wear a nice sport coat with my kilt, it looks just fine. Gives the entire rig a more contemporary look.

[Bugbear]

Thanks for the advice. I may head to a tailor and have them make the adjustments.

Thanks All.
Nhskimoose

It helps to start out with a jacket that is a little small around the waist, but fits fine in the shoulders. Also, if you start with a jacket that has patch pockets rather than slit pockets, it helps a lot. The tailor will need to remove the patch pockets, shorten them then put them back on at a higher spot.

Just a couple of things to look for when you are picking out a jacket for the... chop job.