The Wallace Jacket

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Heath,

I've been having similar thoughts. One problem I am encountering is that our jacket makers right now are all in Scotland and they just don't seem comfortable making jackets from lighter weight materials. I had them make one from a lighter weight wool once for a client and they were hesitant to even do that.

If I could find a jacket maker that was familiar with tropical weight materials and was also willing to make a kilt jacket, you bet I'd add it to the line!

[HeathBar]

Heath,

I've been having similar thoughts. One problem I am encountering is that our jacket makers right now are all in Scotland and they just don't seem comfortable making jackets from lighter weight materials. I had them make one from a lighter weight wool once for a client and they were hesitant to even do that.

If I could find a jacket maker that was familiar with tropical weight materials and was also willing to make a kilt jacket, you bet I'd add it to the line!

I can understand that. The weight of the material would affect how the jacket would hang and look, just like it would for a kilt. And I guess they just do not want to compromise their reputation with an inferior looking product. Even if it was built with the same standards. I'm sure you would feel the same way about making a kilt out of 10oz material.

[KFCarter]

I can understand that. The weight of the material would affect how the jacket would hang and look, just like it would for a kilt. And I guess they just do not want to compromise their reputation with an inferior looking product. Even if it was built with the same standards. I'm sure you would feel the same way about making a kilt out of 10oz material.

I've had quite a bit of discussion about this with my local clothiers. Tropical weight jackets will have to be rethought a bit with the idea of the finished product possessing lines and details that are strongly resonant of the originals, but conceived from the beginning to work in lighter materials... we've particularly focused on linens and linen blends but with an eye on textures that will complement the kilt's wool. Structural components and linings will also be rethought to yield a garment that sits lighter, somewhat looser, but can still be recognized as a kilt jacket. We're still in the talking phase, sketching, looking at fabric swatches etc... but there isn't a time that I go into the store when the conversation doesn't turn to the "Tropical Kilt Jacket" project.

This whole thing is in the context of a bespoke jacket or two for yours truly, but who knows.... these folks are all about clothes and as much as they love selling me business suits and shirts, they LOVE my kilts. Stay tuned.

Ken

[fluter]

I've had quite a bit of discussion about this with my local clothiers.

Ken, I eagerly await your results. Please keep us posted when there is news, and perhaps I can retire my bob-tailed, unstructured, cotton blazer.

I have 2 rather nice (sale priced) sport coats awaiting the knife, which should be summer-friendly even in Columbia --- "famously hot" --- South Carolina.

[KFCarter]

Ken, I eagerly await your results. Please keep us posted when there is news, and perhaps I can retire my bob-tailed, unstructured, cotton blazer.

Will do! I plan on starting a thread with "in process" photos, etc. once we get underway with the first jacket. I've got some travel coming up and we probably won't get started til mid-July.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A few have asked what this jacket might look like worn without the waistcoat, so I obliged and had my wife snap a few photos this morning. Here ya go!