Kilt Jacket Advice?

[nh_maclean]

I have a few tweed kilt jackets (ok, ok - only 2) that I wear when going out, semi-dressy and dressy (for me) but when I'm going out and about, sometimes (i.e. the mall, downtown, movies) I don't want to wear my kilt jackets. Nor do I want to wear my regular non-kilt-specific jackets, but yet it's too cold to not wear a jacket, so I'm stuck feeling dressed up in a tweed. For instance, the other week I was holiday shopping in a kilt and a sweater with a tweed jacket over it. WAAAY too dressy (again, for me) and way too hot. I'd've loved something short and more casual to battle the crowds in.

I've seen some pics of guys here who have an "Ike Jacket" which I do like a lot but are there other types of jackets I'm missing? Anyone have good/favorite 'short' jackets that aren't the traditional tweed? Vintage looks are cool in my book too!

Thanks much!
Noah

[Jock Scot]

With the greatest of respect I think you are worrying too much. A tweed jacket can be worn with or without a waist coat to BBQ's, funerals, business meetings, weddings and anything in between. For the more informal events a more beaten up jacket is worn and the more special the event your best tweed comes out.I am not sure of your type of weather, but you say it is cold at the moment, so, a pullover(sweater) is an option and is quite normal to wear with the kilt, shopping. The ones that I think look just the ticket are the "wooly pully" type military sweater.Not tucked into the kilt ,by the way! A fleece over the top looks good too, if you need an extra layer.

[piperdbh]

Are you wearing the kilt just as you would wear blue jeans? What I mean is, is wearing the kilt something special, or is it everyday-wear for you? If it's your normal wardrobe, I'd say wear a normal-wardrobe jacket, or hoodie, or rain jacket, or whatever you'd wear if you were wearing britches.
If the kilt is something you only wear on special occasions, I'd say go with the tweeds.

[McMurdo]

I've worn a denim jacket, my leather motorcycle jacket, and I also have a Harris Tweed kilt cut shooting coat, they all work wonderfully depending on the ocassion






If it's not that cold I simply wear a sweater/jumper with my kilt

[nh_maclean]

Hmm. I think I need to be a little more clear

I don't wear a kilt everyday but maybe 1-2x week (sometimes more) when I'm heading out to meet friends, do shopping, off to the gym, usually on weekends, etc. Sometimes I do wear sportscoats or a pinstripe jacket with jeans and a t-shirt/hoodie/etc but that's more when I'm "dressing up" and going out to a bar/clubbing or a meeting for work. (i.e. not my usual.) Also, I live in a place where layering is essential as San Francisco has lots of micro-climates and with the fog - the temperatures can vary pretty greatly throughout the day.

With a kilt, and when I'm layering (shirt, sweater, jacket), I get way too hot with a tweed jacket - I generally run pretty hot and always find I get really sweaty regardless. Also, going by the idea of treating a kilt like a pair of p@nts/jeans: I wouldn't normally wear a sportscoat/tweed when I'm running around doing errands, thus I *feel* over-dressed, when I find myself wearing a tweed kilt jacket and the occassion/desire to wear one isn't there but none of my other jackets seem to work with the kilt. But I do wear my other jackets with my kilts sometimes but I don't always feel like it so really my question is perhaps better put:

What other (short) jackets beyond the traditional kilt jacket, do you wear that's casual, comfortable and allows for decent pleat swing?

McMurdo - thanks for your pics - I forgot all about jean jackets, which reminds me of my Carhartt jacket which is short and would be perfect for casual layering.

Thanks!

[Tobus]

I'm wondering if a corduroy casual jacket, perhaps shortened if need be, would be considered 'over-dressed' for your tastes? I'm not talking about a corduroy sport coat, but more like a regular light jacket.

And what about just a vest? If the temperatures you're talking about are too warm for a tweed jacket but too cool to go without something, maybe a vest of some sort would be just the ticket? Not even a proper "waistcoat", but maybe a duck/canvas or denim vest? Anything without sleeves can be used to give a little warmth in your core/torso while presenting a "dressed down" look.

[MacLowlife]

My vote is for a Barbour type jacket. It is made of waxed cotton and comes in various lengths. It gives you a country-traditional look, not to overthink it, but it is still casual and, depending on which one you buy, maybe even lightweight. The "BEDALE" model has short snap-shut vents ( designed for riding horses) that make it good looking with kilts, but slightly longer ones also work just fine. If you aren't up to spending $400 for a genuine Barbour, you might check out offerings by Oxford Blue, Kakadu, et al., as offered at Sierra Trading Post. At least one forum member wears a Barbour in his avatar. LLBean offers assorted Field Coats and Barn Coats and Hunting Jackets, all of which look great with kilts. I also think a fleece pullover is a good kilt disarming device, if you want to look "normal".

I also agree with Jock Scot- if you will just wear the tweed all of the time, it will become less formal to you.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A Barbour jacket is, in my opinion, indispensable. I'd also suggest, since you live in the bay area, that you have a kilt jacket (and waistcoat) made out of corduroy, as this will prove to be a tad more comfortable than tweed in your neck of the woods.

[macwilkin]

My vote is for a Barbour type jacket. It is made of waxed cotton and comes in various lengths. It gives you a country-traditional look, not to overthink it, but it is still casual and, depending on which one you buy, maybe even lightweight. The "BEDALE" model has short snap-shut vents ( designed for riding horses) that make it good looking with kilts, but slightly longer ones also work just fine. If you aren't up to spending $400 for a genuine Barbour, you might check out offerings by Oxford Blue, Kakadu, et al., as offered at Sierra Trading Post. At least one forum member wears a Barbour in his avatar. LLBean offers assorted Field Coats and Barn Coats and Hunting Jackets, all of which look great with kilts. I also think a fleece pullover is a good kilt disarming device, if you want to look "normal".

I also agree with Jock Scot- if you will just wear the tweed all of the time, it will become less formal to you.

The Bedale is just a wee bit short for my tastes -- I prefer the Beaufort or the Border model (see my avatar for my Beaufort!).

Woolrich, Orvis and Filson are also good sources for field/barn coats.

T.

[Arlen]

Carhartt jackets are good, Ike jackets are better. I used to wear a cord Rancher's jacket a lot. This style of bomber jacket would also work really well.



As far as not wanting to be damp or too warm, you might look into getting a short REI rain jacket or soft shell jacket like this. It should keep you dry and at an optimal temperature but not bee too dressy.