Mac...amusing as usual. Am I to understand that you have an extensive collection of jackets, doublets, etc? I'll admit...I'd like to!

Incidentally...I saw a Royal Regiment of Scotland Mess Jacket on ebay this morning!! You better act quick!!!

I will probably end up making a tweed conversion or two from some thrift store jackets, but my first real jacket purchase will, more than likely, be a Black Argyll and five button vest and a three button vest. For a formalwear jacket, I would eventually like to get a regulation doublet...they're just soooooooo expensive.

As I'm a military officer, I obviously have my military formal uniform. I actually purchased a mess jacket fairly early in my career....as a first lieutenant. Since I've changed specialties and grown (chest and shoulders, not my gut fortunately), I actually had the need to purchase a new one about 2 years ago. They run about $350-400 each...and that's without the shoulder knots and other accessories. Not cheap, but I can write it off as a professional expense on the taxes. I've always wanted to purchase the white tie accessories to go with it, but, again, I just have NEVER been invited to a white tie affair....I'm very sad about that!!