Beautiful Doublet

[Phil]

I would imagine that military dress before the days of khaki and camouflage was probably pretty much a variation of the civilian dress of the time, except for the bright red colour to mask the bloodstains. At one time well to do aristocrats paid their own money to become officers (no requirement for experience or ability then, just purchase a commission) and often would also have to pay to kit out the ordinary soldiers under their command. "Lions led by donkeys" I think was the expression and one which helps to explain many military debacles such as the loss of the American colonies.

[BEEDEE]

If you are looking for military influences to highland attire then look no further than the Mess jackets of the regiments of the British Army. Collars, cuffs and lapels are very often different colours and the "bum freezer" look is little different to some Highland attire styles. I know we are in the "chicken and egg" situation, but some one with a tad of imagination combined with an imaginative tailor could soon come up with a civilian variation on the theme. I know, because that is what I did!

Jock - you are absolutely correct. Take a look at page 28 and 29 of the RRS Dress regs: http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/gen..._Rulations.pdf

Brian

[English Bloke]

... Mess jackets ... imagination combined with an imaginative tailor could soon come up with a civilian variation on the theme. I know, because that is what I did!

Jock, have you got a picture of your Mess-style jacket (being worn or not, either way)? I'd love to see a civilian adaptation. I loved wearing Mess kit and really like the cut of the jackets. I think it would be marvelous to have a completely civvy variant.

[davidlpope]

Jock, have you got a picture of your Mess-style jacket (being worn or not, either way)? I'd love to see a civilian adaptation. I loved wearing Mess kit and really like the cut of the jackets. I think it would be marvelous to have a completely civvy variant.

Here's a civilian variant in black and rifle green worn by the late P/M John D. Burgess. I think it is a good example of military-inspired, but thoroughly civilian, formalwear.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, have you got a picture of your Mess-style jacket (being worn or not, either way)? I'd love to see a civilian adaptation. I loved wearing Mess kit and really like the cut of the jackets. I think it would be marvelous to have a completely civvy variant.

I will see if I can find it. I last wore it some forty years ago, but suddenly it shrank! It may be in a trunk at my old house, I will have a look for it one of these days when I am up there again.

To give you a clue, take one Officer's Royal Artillery Mess jacket as your base(I did not like my own for this job!), and change the colour and material to very(almost black)dark green velvet and add Argyll cuffs( I am not keen on the three buttons in a row up the arm style), put on round silver buttons(about the size of a two shilling piece) and a low cut, green velvet waistcoat with four small silver round ball shaped buttons. I well remember discussing with the tailor about some colour on the lapels, but we decided that was too military-----he was right. Oh and no epaulets. When that jacket got too small, I had a dark green velvet Sheriffmuir made with two waistcoats, one of my dress tartan cut on the bias and a matching green velvet one. That also shrank, but as I have no need for such attire these days I have not needed to replace it. One of my sons has "recycled" it and looks pretty damn good.I think my "Mess" style jacket looked damn good too and my tailor(long gone now) used to make a couple in that style in varying colours and cloths every year for other customers.

[davidlpope]

I will see if I can find it. I last wore it some forty years ago, but suddenly it shrank! It may be in a trunk at my old house, I will have a look for it one of these days when I am up there again.

Jock,

I'd also very much appreciate a post of a few snapshots of these jackets if you do discover them.

Cordially,

David

[English Bloke]

Thanks Gentlemen for both those posts. I like that description Jock; and David, although I am barred from viewing pictures here by my employer's fun police, I'll certainly have a look again when I get home in a week or two. Cheers!

Meanwhile, for those who may not know what an Artillery Officer's Mess jacket looks like, I found an illustration here:



Unlike a PC, the back has no tails, hence the term "bum-freezer" used earlier.

[longhuntr74]

If you learn of a breakin in Appin, I was nowhere near at the time. NOWHERE NEAR.

It says Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his ox nor his ***, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

Since I am NOWHERE NEAR Appin, your friend there is not my neighbor. And that is a very good thing.

Hysterical...and won't you be disappointed to get there and find out that I already stole it....errr...I've never heard of Appin...where??

[longhuntr74]

Thanks Gentlemen for both those posts. I like that description Jock; and David, although I am barred from viewing pictures here by my employer's fun police, I'll certainly have a look again when I get home in a week or two. Cheers!

Meanwhile, for those who may not know what an Artillery Officer's Mess jacket looks like, I found an illustration here:



Unlike a PC, the back has no tails, hence the term "bum-freezer" used earlier.

Very similar to the US Military's dinner jackets. I love mine...wish I could wear it with my kilt...it'd look superb!

[Jock Scot]

Very similar to the US Military's dinner jackets. I love mine...wish I could wear it with my kilt...it'd look superb!

Mess Jacket styles(that is before we get to the colours!) vary quite a bit between regiments in the British Army. I always fancied the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers style.