Irish Kilkenney Jacket

[OFCJAX]

Just different buttons. Get the jacket set up so you can use removable buttons, and BAM! You've got both.

[KiltedDawg]

I would say that it is an Irish version of an Argyle. The big question that I had is can it be worm formally if it is in bottle green rather than black. I also like the fact that the buttons on the Kilkenny are more subtle.

Ron- Don't worry I'm a total junkie as well. I have a Prince Charlie, Braemar, Kilkenny, and also have a Brian Boru on order to round out my "formal" wear. And yes, it is overkill.

[svc40bt]

It appears that the cuffs are different than the argyle as well as the buttons.

[triolamj]

The Kilkenny is a bottle green Argyll fitted with round buttons with harps on them (as opposed to diamond thistle or square Celtic). The shade of green is lighter than bottle normally is or rifle green. The placement of the buttons on the cuff is just one of the styles available on a regular Argyll: Prince Charlie, Guantlet, and another I can't remember. The Brian Boru is a slightly different style of Prince Charlie with a satin shawl style collar and comes in dark bottle green (almost as dark as rifle green) with the same style of buttons. Zardoz just came into a set of round harp buttons and I'm waiting to see how his Argyll looks once he's replaced the buttons. Late this spring, I'm going to order a set of chrome harp buttons from Glengarry Hats and have J. Higgins put them on a new 54 Long Argyll instead of the square Celtic ones. I debated getting gold-tone Irish Postal Service buttons (a harp wreathed in Shamrocks) but I decided on the chrome to go with the black of the Argyll. I ruled out getting a Brian Boru in black because of the extra cost and the Kilkenny because of the color and cost plus the fact that Barathea is too warm for Texas.

[Chas]

Hi triolamj,

Thanks for a clear and concise explanation. I was quite happy dipping my toe into the puddle called 'kilt wearing' until someone said ACCESSORIES. Then I realised that it wasn't a puddle it was a great big ocean and if I didn't wise up fast to what went with what I was likely to drown in my own sea of ignorance. I am so glad I joined this forum.

Regards

Chas

[turpin]

Small steps will get you there, Chas. Check out the threads dedicated to pictures on different ways to wear the kilt in a causal and a dressy manner. Lots of good ideas there that might work with a lot of what you already own.

Also, thrift stores and ebay can be your friend.

[triolamj]

Chas, just one other piece of advice: Caubeen=Balmoral + Rifle Green - Toorie. Brat NOT= Mini-Fly Plaid. Almost every piece of regalia, belts, buckles, brooches, badges, pins, ghillies, and tartans has an Irish version or comes in dark green. Avoid the Kilkennys, they look like a Daniel O'Donnell green tuxedo suit (ugh!).

[Chas]

Hi turpin and triolamj,

Thanks for the good advice. I have no Irish connections so I think I will stick to all things Scottish. I just like to find out about all the other aspects of kilting.

Regards

Chas

[M_Beorn]

I have a Brian Boru Jacket which I agree i svery simular to the PC and has the Harp Buttons. I'll have to post photos soon.

My next jacket will be most likely an Tweed Argyle or a Braemar with a waist coat. I figure that will give me multiple outfits.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When originally designed the jacket was suppose to have a cardigan type of collar; rolled over and without peaks or notches, along with peaked cuffs, and one or two other minor differences, such as the placement of the buttons on the pockets and cuffs. Round buttons were chosen because all of the Scottish off the peg jackets use square buttons. The whole concept of kilt wearing is rather new in the Irish community, so the idea was to create something different, but not something that looked like a costume left over from Darby O'Gill and the Little People. Like the Argyll it was designed to be worn with either a 3-button waistcoat or a 5-button waistcoat, making it ideal for both semi-formal and formal occasions.

SARTORIAL COMMENT TIME

(1) When wearing a wing collar shirt the wings go behind the bow tie, not on top of it.
(2) The knot of the tie should cover the collar button.
(3) Formal waistcoats have three or four buttons and are worn with bow ties.
(4) Semi-formal waistcoats have five or six buttons, and are worn with four-in-hand ties, not bow ties.
(5) Even with a Kilkenny or Argyll jacket a belt should not be worn if you are wearing a waistcoat.