Tartan waistcoat?

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I'm glad you posted your pic, as I was just looking at their site and was curious if they also tailored these on the bias, as their pictures show them all on the horizontal.

BTW, looks sharp!

You simply need to mention that in the special instructions when completing your order.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

I'm seriously thinking about ordering one of these from Scotweb. Does anybody have any recommendation regarding tartan weight for these vests? They list four choices in Red MacRae, 10oz, 11oz, 13oz and 16oz(Strome). My kilt is Strome but don't they usually use lighter wgt material for accessory items like this? Does it matter?

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

Really it doesn't matter unless you want them to match perfectly, in which case you ought to get the Strome.

[Paul]

Do you wish to wear this with your kilt? Or for times when not wearing your kilt? I once wore a Maple leaf tartan shirt with my Maple Leaf kilt (not to mention a Maple Leaf tie that no one noticed, never again it was all too much. Even a waistcoat (on the diagonal) and kilt in matching tartan might be too much. Mind you, tartan pocket flaps on a charcoal wool waistcoat would be a nice touch.

Yes. I feel it may be too much if my tartan was a little more striking. It's Campbell Ancient by HoE so it's a lot darker than most tartans.

And thanks for the link Cavebear58... seems like a perfect price and I could supply the buttons to her also!

[Cavebear58]

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[Paul]

I realize the OP is in the UK, but for those of us on the western banks of the Pond, Ms. Steward's services do not apply, as she does not accept orders from the US or Canada. I really admire her pics.

I'll be in the market for a bias waistcoat soon myself. Thanks for starting this thread.

If you would like a waistcoat from her I'd be happy to have it sent to me and then send it to yourself.
I've had similar favors off others on the forum and I've helped others out before myself.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'll also have to chime in and disagree with the notion that a tartan waistcoat with a tartan kilt is "too much." Not only is it not too much, it's also a very acceptible fashion in Highland Dress and has always been a part of the tradition.

Here I am back in 2004 at my brother-in-law's wedding.


This picture is from this year -- same kilt & waistcoat, different outfit.


And to illustrate the historical precedence, here's a portrait showing the Campbell tartan (nod to Paul), painted by Kenneth MacLeay (1802-1878).

[svc40bt]

I'm seriously thinking about ordering one of these from Scotweb. Does anybody have any recommendation regarding tartan weight for these vests? They list four choices in Red MacRae, 10oz, 11oz, 13oz and 16oz(Strome). My kilt is Strome but don't they usually use lighter wgt material for accessory items like this? Does it matter?

The sett size will be smaller on the lighter weights, but I am not sure how noticable it would be.

[HarborSpringsPiper]

The sett size will be smaller on the lighter weights, but I am not sure how noticable it would be.

I did not know that sett size changed with material weight. I recall others mentioning previously that exact match-up is really not necessary with the waistcoat, rather sticking with the same tartan is what's important. I realize whatever I choose it's likely the colors will not be exactly the same, even from the same weaver, given variation between runs of the same tartan. I'm just curious as far as the garment itself if one would be a better choice.

[ccga3359]

Well, isn't the kilt in itself just a little too much ?

Maybe I just like being a little too much, some times.

Robert, we wear kilts to try to blend into our environment hence the need for hunting tartans. None of us on this forum want to stand out. You look splendid as usual.