Possible jackets for conversions?

**Drac** · 22nd February 10, 08:34 AM

Morning all,

Being on a reservist I have access to both jackets left at the tailors/cleaners and the thrift shop.

Would any of these be fit for kilt jackets?

Army Mess Dress

Army Class A

Navy Dress

Navy Diner Dress

There are also Air Force and Marine uniforms as well.

Thanks,
Jim

**auld argonian** · 22nd February 10, 09:59 AM

The Navy Dinner Dress looks really good...mind, I'm not expert on these jackets, though. I would assume that you would be replacing buttons unless you were a member of that branch of the service?

Best

AA

**MacLowlife** · 22nd February 10, 10:25 AM

I think you could wear either the army dress mess or the navy dinner dress with only a button change. I have worn a USAF dress mess that way. The navy braid on the wrist (and the army curlicue rank braid) might be better removed. The army Class A can be chopped off just above the lower pockets. See Charles Thompson's SO YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR THE KILT for diagrams/ directions.

Thompson and others observe that the USMC dress uniform makes a nice sheriffmuir if your tastes run that way. Others have discussed a double breasted day jacket (like you could make from cutting off the Navy Dress) elsewhere with no real consensus...

**thescot** · 22nd February 10, 10:38 AM

I agree with MacLowlife. Either of those would work pretty well, I think.

But be sure to replace the bottons. It's very important that you not wear the with the regulation buttons as that would, technically, be illegal, I think. You can get silver buttons easily.

The Army blouse could probably be made into an acceptable jacket as well by a good tailor. The navy blouse would be tough, I think, since it's double breasted.

I mentinoned elsewhere that if you can score a USMC officer's mess dress jacket, it makes a really good sherriffmuir with minimal work. And if you add the boat cloak, you'd look better than almost anyone around.

**Drac** · 22nd February 10, 10:48 AM

Thanks. On any of them I would have to get some new buttons. Even if you're a member of that service you're right in it being against regs.

The main problem is catching one in good shape, that's not to old (not faded under the patches) and my size. It's a bit of a waiting/luck game but if you score you can get on for $10-$20.

I pulled up the USMC officer's mess dress jacket and a sherriffmuir and compared the two. I can see how they can work but finding the extra material for the parts that hang down might be a trick.

Thanks,
Jim

**billmcc** · 22nd February 10, 10:55 AM

Keep in mind that mess jackets are often altered to closely fit the original buyer. So, try it on before you buy it.

**Tobus** · 22nd February 10, 11:11 AM

It's very important that you not wear the with the regulation buttons as that would, technically, be illegal, I think.

It would be bad form, for sure. But I don't think it would be "illegal" unless it were some sort of rank insignia that would rise to the level of impersonating an officer.

But I could be wrong.

**Drac** · 22nd February 10, 12:44 PM

True, it wouldn't be illegal for the civilians but for a member of the military there are regs that they can charge you with violating.

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 22nd February 10, 09:14 PM

I think you can change the buttons on the Navy mess jacket and be pretty close to a PC. You won't have the tails, and probably not the braided epaulets. You might be able to find some knots to sew on for the epaulets, though.

I changed buttons on a Spenser waistcoat which is about like the Navy mess (or looks to be so) and have been very happy with it.

**MacLowlife** · 28th February 10, 08:23 AM

If you are not afraid of a little color, you might also look for / at old marching band uniform jackets. Oftentimes a small modification will yield a very cool kilt jacket.