Sir Chris Hoy - Odd Jacket?

[denmcdough]

Not bad.....acceptable!

[Maxblade]

As a newbie I can certainly say that the one phrase I have been instructed on is "there are no kilt police". For someone like me who does not have the means to buy everything at once, I may find some situations would be "ok" for me to wear a non-cutaway jacket if that is all I had available to me...I imagine this is more a choice than a misunderstanding or lack of options....I suppose if it is good enough for presence of The Royalty...it is good enough for me.

[Whidbey78]

Not bad. Not great though. It looks like a hybrid of at least three vastly diffeing styles of kilt jacket and a contemporary sportcoat. I agree that a bit of cutout would improve the line. It's too much vertical line without enough horizontal to balance it out...it gives him the look of having either a very long torso or very short legs. Of course, he very well could be a man of unusual build.

I think the short and somewhat narrow lapel doesn't fit well with a waistcoat, but that's my opinion. It seems to have too many angled lines meeting (well, nearly meeting) in the middle of his torso.

I have a modified suit jacket with a lapel like. I shortened it about 3 inches, maybe even 4(can't recall now) and did a very minimal cutout for the sporran, removing just enough to clear it, and kept 2 of the 3 buttons. It looks good and has a nice line but works best with "darker" tartans and larger setts. My US Army kilt looks nice, but my Wallace, for example, looks off with it.

As jock said, not a sucsessful re-invention of the wheel, but I don't see it as a total failure. It just needs some refinement. Maybe it would look better with a solid kilt instead of tartan? It could be good with a more contemporary kilt, sans sporran. And no waistcoat. It's just too much in my mind for that jacket.

Just my $0.02 USD.

[Hamish]

Sir Chris Hoy's jacket, indeed his entire outfit, was made for him by Howie Nicholsby of '21st Century Kilts' in Edinburgh. The style of jacket is one favoured by Howie and is a feature of his kilt suits, of which I have four. where the sporran is not necessarily worn. It is correct that this style of jacket is always worn unbuttoned, with or without a waistcoat according to the formality, or informality, of the occasion.

Personally, I like the style and find it a refreshing change from the standard Argyll jackets which also are well represented in my wardrobe.

Take care,
Ham.

[Downunder Kilt]

Great to see you Hamish, hope all is going well and take care yourself

[MacMillans son]

As we are all just posting opinions relative to our own likes or dislikes, I prefer at least a slight cut away to acknowledge the sporran and mirror, to some degree, its radius lines.

In tweeds at least, I prefer a slightly longer hem, close to the same length as the sleeve vs. 3-4 inches shorter. And a slight cut out for the sporran vs, the large sweeping radiuses I have seen on some jackets. I have been collecting thrift store tweed jackets recently to have modified in this fashion (photos upon completion).

These preferences also make for an easier modification as they tend to impact the pockets less and, in my opinion, look more natural. Win Win ! In fact, it looks like HRH has copied my ideas almost entirely :-)

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

A boxy looking jacket does nothing to flatter the wearer, especially when worn with a kilt. The result is similar to that of stacking two children's blocks one upon the other, but without the benefit of coloured letters to break up the monotony of the look.

Part of what makes a kilt/jacket combination look good is the subtle elegance of the way a proper kilt jacket is cut -- slightly nipped in at the waist and flaring over the hips. With or without a waistcoat, open or closed, this style creates an illusion of height, accentuates the gentleman's chest, and brings to the wearer an overall slimming effect.

None of this happens with the "box cut" jacket favoured by German stylist Hugo Boss, and unfortunately (in my opinion) copied without much imagination by some high street shopkeepers who have misled their customers into accepting "trendy" as haute couture.

My view on the jacket: two thumbs down.

[Micric]

Yes, I agree MoR.
It all looks top heavy to me, a little out of proportion, even irritating, like something needs putting right!

[ThistleDown]

Seconded.

It looks too much like a plain old suit coat to me. Boring. Not 'wrong', necessarily. Just not a great match for the style that accentuates a kilt.

Just not a Highland jacket, in other words, because it gives only a passing nod (its length) to the kilt and accessories its worn with. As for the one worn by Lord Semple in the pics with HRH I'm not sure even the nod was given.

[Good Egg]

MacMillan, I think the box cut is favoured by clothing manufacturers because its easier and cheaper than putting in vents. Most tailors I know (my late Father-in-law was one) laugh behind the backs of customers who ask for that 'style'.