navy mess jacket

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

My late father preferred a black mess jacket over the more traditional styles of Highland evening jackets. As long as there are no military buttons or rank insignia of any kind, it is a perfectly acceptable alternative to a PC, etc. Because of their cut they need to be worn with a 3-button waistcoat. While black is the traditional colour, either red or rifle green also work well with a mess jacket and kilt. The cummerbund is to be avoided at all costs.

You can buy mess jackets new from Marlowe White, or find them used (sizes run "tight") on e-Bay or Craigs List.

[Bill aka Mole]

Rondo, thank you for bringing this up. I've been looking at those jackets for a bit as well wondering how well they'd look with a kilt. Once the buttons are removed, it is strictly a Navy Blue jacket. Cheers!

[rondo]

Bill,
I think it looks good. Formal enough for sure...in the same league as the PC but a different cut... so as to be unique. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try one of these if I can get one large enough. After all, I'm not that 24 year old Machinist Mate anymore...
Rondo

[Bill aka Mole]

After all, I'm not that 24 year old Machinist Mate anymore...
Rondo

I don't believe that many of us are anywhere near 24 any more, except in our minds...

[Biathlonman]

Notwithstanding all the advice you've had about removing insignia from your Navy mess jacket, you might consider trews as an option. Trews (tartan pants) were worn by officers I believe because they were more practical for riding in. (If I'm wrong here I'm sure an avalanche of corrections will follow)

If your mess jacket is white - and you have white in your tartan - it would look amazing.

I haven't seen trews mentioned in discussion threads yet but they would work, where a kilt might not look quite right with a mess jacket.

[Detroitpete]

Bill,
I think it looks good. Formal enough for sure...in the same league as the PC but a different cut... so as to be unique. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try one of these if I can get one large enough. After all, I'm not that 24 year old Machinist Mate anymore...
Rondo

Hey Snipe!

I think it will look great and still have a bit of a harken to the Navy. Good choice! I'd change the buttons out though ;)

[Drac]

Bill,
I think it looks good. Formal enough for sure...in the same league as the PC but a different cut... so as to be unique. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try one of these if I can get one large enough. After all, I'm not that 24 year old Machinist Mate anymore...
Rondo

Hey Snipe!

I think it will look great and still have a bit of a harken to the Navy. Good choice! I'd change the buttons out though ;)

Whach that snipe thing there. He might be a fresh air type, A-Gangers!!

I was a pit snipe the first time around. Got smart and came back as a twigget, an ET.

Back on topic though.

If you go with a mess dress get to a uniform shop and try them on. They run REALLY small for the sizing. Sometimes 2 or 3 sizes.

Jim

[rondo]

I was a Nuclear machinist's mate...4 years in subs.
Rondo

[Drac]

I was a Nuclear machinist's mate...4 years in subs.
Rondo

Nuc waste for me and for that spent 5 years in an AOE engine room

Jim

[Sir William]

My late father preferred a black mess jacket over the more traditional styles of Highland evening jackets. As long as there are no military buttons or rank insignia of any kind, it is a perfectly acceptable alternative to a PC, etc. Because of their cut they need to be worn with a 3-button waistcoat. While black is the traditional colour, either red or rifle green also work well with a mess jacket and kilt. The cummerbund is to be avoided at all costs.

I'm in total agreement with MoR. Since you're planning to replace the buttons you could perhaps find some with a nautical theme to them, such as an anchor or ship.