Need some advice...daywear (shirt, vest, jacket)

[macwilkin]

This is the tweed of my kilt jacket. It goes well with both my tartans.

T.

[BoldHighlander]

You'd be alright with a converted into a kilt jacket. Several members here can do this for you. You start with a jacket you already have, or one you get at a thrift shop or somewhere, and then cut the tail off and raise the pockets. It's not a big job.

How is this done? Doesn't it leave the old slit visible?

I don't wish to hijack this thread but would like to point you in the direction of one of the best DIY threads on here presented by Panache's better half

Converting a tweed sport coat to a Braemar jacket

[creagdhubh]

This is the tweed of my kilt jacket. It goes well with both my tartans.

T.

I love the 'poacher' tweed by Lochcarron. Todd, could you perhaps post a photo (or two) of you wearing the jacket and waistcoat (if the latter was purchased)? Perhaps additional photos showing detail and the lining? I plan to order the same Argyll (along with the gamekeeper, ghillie, and laird styles) in the fall. If not, no worries mate. Hope you are well and thank you!!!

Yours in green Alba aye,

[wildrover]

Thanks everyone for all the advice so far! Some possibilities...

The back of Jim's kilt is very similar to the back of my kilt. Charcoal jacket, here.


HRH in a dark kilt with a yellow stripe. I really like the subtle pattern on the jacket and vest, and the light buttons. Grey tweed makes for good contrast here. There's a tint to the tweed, not sure if I'd call it greenish or bluish, but if I could get my hands on a jacket and vest with this cut and material, I'd be happy.


MacLaren tartan, courtesy of Sportkilt...to the left, Hunter tweed jacket, to the right, Lovat Blue jacket.


Sea Blue, from the USA Kilts website...


I'm really leaning toward the light grey or salt/pepper colors...Lovat Blue could work, too...I guess I'm just thrown by the color in the closeup photos from the Tartan Museum. It doesn't look as strikingly blue in Kyle's photos, more like a blue tint.

This would be a lot easier if I actually had an eye for color !

[creagdhubh]

Sean,

I know exactly how you feel with regards to colour, especially when there is such a variety of high-quality items, with regards to Highland attire, available for purchase. In regards to your keen observation, the lovat blue colour of one of my Kinloch-Anderson day jacket's is actually not overly striking, or bold in my opinion-I have seen other lovat blue styles made by other establishments that are quite BLUE! It may appear that way more than likely due to the lighting that surrounds me; a camera flash, the different tartans I am wearing with the jacket and waistcoat, being out-of-doors, etc. The colour is actually fairly subdued and has hints of lovat green throughout. There is no obvious pattern in the material-the tweed is not herringbone, like the lovat green version is from Kinloch.

I love the patterned jackets, with the subtle vertical and horizontal stripes of different colours on a solid colour tweed background. I also love the inspired Scottish estate tweed, and heavier Harris tweed jackets. I completely understand choosing a day wear jacket and perhaps a matching waistcoat to go with it, may be rather daunting at times! I am quite confident that almost any pattern, style, and colour choice will look very smart with your modern MacLaren tartan-don't worry about it too much and definitely don't necessarily try to match-I am sure that you are already well aware of that! I am by no means an 'expert', just merely stating my personal opinion and offering my advice for what it's worth to you. My good friend and native Scot, Donald MacLaren of Pitlochry, who is also a past president, and currently a member of the board, of the local Saint Andrew's Society here in Saint Louis, wears his kilt in the ancient MacLaren tartan with a lovat green tweed Argyll from Lochcarron. He always look quite dapper whilst adorned in his day attire. I think your tartan sett and colourings will look great with practically any style and colour (charcoal tweed may appear too dark overall with the modern MacLaren tartan, but if you like that sort of deep tone, then by all means, forge ahead!) of Highland day jacket, whether it be an Argyll, Crail, Braemar, or Kinloch-Anderson's version.

I can certainly tell you this, my next day wear jackets and waistcoats will be from the inspired Scottish estate tweed line (Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop-Matt Newsome), after of course, I finish purchasing the remaining patterned styles that Lochcarron offers through their Ettrick tweed line!

Good luck and keep us posted!

P.S.-Try the Haggart's tweed line available through the "House of Labhran" or "Highland Clans". You may fancy one of their, or all, tweed styles. I like their waistcoats, because the tailor makes them with single-breasted lapels, very smart!

www.houseoflabhran.net

www.highlandclans.co.uk

Slainte,

[BobsYourUncle]

Detail of P/M Gordon Walker's attire, and him winning the Bratach Gorm (Blue Banner) in London.


[/QUOTE]

How is it that a man that can play like that, also has such a great sense of style!

You can't go wrong if you take your inspiration from Gordon Walker. Probable couldn't hurt to take a few playing tips from him too ;)

Cheers,

Michael[/QUOTE]

Does anyone know who is P/M Gordon Walker's haberdasher? I greatly desire a jacket and vest of this sort! Cousin Kyle? Any inside info? Cheers!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I'll suggest two possibilities: Stewart Christie or Mozart, both in Edinburgh.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Sorry I seem to have missed this thread earlier. Way back on page one a few questions were asked about our jackets.

Our Argyll kilt jackets are single button. And yes, you would typically wear them unbuttoned. What you would want would be "Craill" cuff style and "No" epaulettes, to get a jacket like the one I'm wearing in the picture you posted. That one is a Harris Tweed. We have several Harris Tweed options shown on our fabric pages currently, but I have a ton of samples I'm still in the processes of scanning and uploading to the web site, so if you are looking for a particular color range, let me know.

All of the above is also true for our Argyle jackets, which are made the same was as the Argyll except there is an "e" on the end. :-) lol...

If you want something slightly more contemporary looking, our Wallace Jacket is essentially the same beastie as the Argyll (or Argyle) jacket, but with three-buttons. And yes, you'd still wear the jacket open.

Both jacket styles come with a waistcoat, as you see in the photographs on our web site. If you want a waistcoat with a straight cut waist, or with a shawl collar, as HRH is pictured wearing in some of the photos on this thread, we can generally accomodate special requests such as this. This kind of modification would put your jacket in the "made to measure" category.

We can do made to measure on either of these jacket styles for only $50 more. (MTM means the tailors will make the jacket from specific measurements you provide, as opposed to making the jacket from a standard stock size such as 44L or 40R, etc.)

Any other questions, I'll be happy to answer.

On a personal note, I for one am happy that you are thinking about going with a custom made tweed jacket rather than the ubiquitous black that you see every piper wearing these days. Something that makes you stand out and yet still look very distinguished and traditional will serve you well.

[kid icarus]

as a piper myself, i own a charcoal craile [sp?] jacket and vest i got off the rack when i was last in scotland. and truth be told i almost never wear the jacket when competing. i usually stick with the vest or just a dress shirt. it has nothing to do with style, but heat. by the time i am ready to get on the boards a jacket is just too hot to keep on and pipe comfortably (for me). and with my nerves, the last thing i need is another distraction of "i'm hot" or "the sleeve is riding up" as that tends to help me lose the tune resulting in a breakdown or playing not as well as i can. of course, i don't know what grade level you play at or how your nerves are in a competition, so these things may not be an issue for you.

[BobsYourUncle]

I'll suggest two possibilities: Stewart Christie or Mozart, both in Edinburgh.

Thank you, good sir! Stewart Christie's website makes that establishment look just the ticket!