Do the jacket and the waistcoat have to match?

[JSFMACLJR]

Your post really doesn't clear up the erroneous fact that mess dress is "civvies." As you have stated, officers purchase their own uniforms ( maybe not so common today ). Because they are made by a civilian tailor, though, does not make them "civilian", if you know what I mean. My London tailor, Meyer & Mortimer, happen to specialise in Highland dress, and they also make a great deal of uniforms for officers, mess dress included. What tailors follow are the sealed patterns from the MoD or the relevant department. Of course if a subaltern's pockets were deeper than a field officer, he just may have a better tailored uniform!

Just because one has to purchase one's uniform (mess dress included) the fact remains that the chap is still wearing a uniform, and not mufti!

Kind regards,
Sandford MacLean

[macwilkin]

Your post really doesn't clear up the erroneous fact that mess dress is "civvies." As you have stated, officers purchase their own uniforms ( maybe not so common today ). Because they are made by a civilian tailor, though, does not make them "civilian", if you know what I mean. My London tailor, Meyer & Mortimer, happen to specialise in Highland dress, and they also make a great deal of uniforms for officers, mess dress included. What tailors follow are the sealed patterns from the MoD or the relevant department. Of course if a subaltern's pockets were deeper than a field officer, he just may have a better tailored uniform!

Just because one has to purchase one's uniform (mess dress included) the fact remains that the chap is still wearing a uniform, and not mufti!

Kind regards,
Sandford MacLean

From a military historian's POV, I would tend to agree with Sanford. Traditionally officers have paid for their uniforms, even in the US Army. Private purchase items abounded in the Civil War, even among other ranks, even weapons and kit. Theodore Roosevelt, for example, had his uniform for the "Rough Riders" tailored at Brooks Brothers, who also made a number of regimental colours during the Civil War.

Regards,

Todd