Doublet Idea... am I off my rocker or on to something?

[MacLowlife]

I like the idea, but am not sure where you'd wear it. I have seen ads that suggest really cool guys wear white dinner jackets all winter long in Bermuda and Palm Beach- and maybe Cairo. I wouldn't know.

As a practical matter, I think the contrasting facings help the problem of a white shirt with a white jacket. The other way around that is to have the jacket made in something like "winter white" or cream color and be sure your shirt is blazing chalk white. It might also make the jacket a little easier to keep clean, though nothing beats bleaching white cotton.

If you are going to invest your own time and energy into making this thing, why not start with a cotton chef's jacket and see how you like the general look?

[Teufel Hunden]

Er, yeah... it looks good, but there are a couple of teensie-weensie problems with white jackets.

1) They show every smudge and stain, and that includes red wine, sauces, and gravy.

2) After dry cleaning they may look dingy, or possibly yellow.

I was counting on having to be extra careful to preserve it over a black jacket. It's not an easy feat, but my uncle's dress whites still looked stunning after nearly a decade of use.

As a practical matter, I think the contrasting facings help the problem of a white shirt with a white jacket. The other way around that is to have the jacket made in something like "winter white" or cream color and be sure your shirt is blazing chalk white. It might also make the jacket a little easier to keep clean, though nothing beats bleaching white cotton.

I agree with all of this.

If you are going to invest your own time and energy into making this thing, why not start with a cotton chef's jacket and see how you like the general look?

I'm getting my black montrose refitted before my wedding this year, and afterward I was going to take a dozen or so pictures, then commission my artist friend to create a photo-realistic rendering of what it would really look like. But a chef's jacket would be cheap and easy to get a hold of as well.

I like the idea, but am not sure where you'd wear it. I have seen ads that suggest really cool guys wear white dinner jackets all winter long in Bermuda and Palm Beach- and maybe Cairo. I wouldn't know.

3) White civilian dinner jackets (as opposed to military uniforms) are normally worn only in late spring and summer, and most Scottish dinners and balls seem to be held in fall or winter.

This actually was my lingering question about the whole idea, as I wasn't intending this to be warm-weather only attire at all. I wonder how many people would see that at say, the Tartan Ball in Washington DC, and think, "Nice doublet.... awfully cold out for that isn't it?"

I was hoping simply by virtue of this being a doublet coupled with a very nice tartan, and not just a typical dinner jacket, I could slide by without it being a faux pas. I'm trying to imagine this situation in my head, and while I certainly WOULD think someone odd for wearing a plain white dinner jacket in the middle of winter, I can't work out how a different piece of attire would fit into the same area.

I like the idea in principle, but as MoR pointed out, there are some issues. The montrose on a fit individual cannot be beat for 'dash'.
Perhaps another very striking, but non-white colour... A sky blue velvet with a deep claret or sanguine red lining?

I'll experiment around with different colors... sky blue with sanguine sounds pretty nice. Only thing I really wanted to avoid was the typical execution we see all the time: Black, Rifle Green...etc. But there's no reason it has to be white..

As an aside, I cannot see a white mess jacket now without being reminded of Jeeves and Wooster, where Jeeves continually belittles Bertie's white mess jacket and tries to guarantee it's demise/departure/non-presence.

ith:

HA! Funny you mentioned that, a friend of mine said the exact same thing.

[MacLowlife]

I see you chose to discuss this on the General page, not the Traditional one, so I think any rules can be noted, but not necessarily followed strictly.

There is a picture floating around somewhere of a guy in a white PC and he looks a lot like a guy in a white tailcoat. Check out the number of white tailcoats on eBay and you'll realize that SOMEBODY must be wearing them. In the 1970s, all sorts of colors were considered OK for suits that don't show up these days.

I think the trick is in deciding where to wear it and what your attitude will be. If you expect to be having a good time, with maybe a small gleam in your eye, then I think you can face down anybody who might expect to quote the Kilt Statutes at you. If you are looking to fit in, maybe on your first visit to some highfalutin affair, well, maybe you should let your gentleman's gentleman guide you.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I wasn't intending this to be warm-weather only attire at all. I wonder how many people would see that at say, the Tartan Ball in Washington DC, and think, "Nice doublet.... awfully cold out for that isn't it?"...

I was hoping simply by virtue of this being a doublet coupled with a very nice tartan, and not just a typical dinner jacket, I could slide by without it being a faux pas.

I don't think it would be a faux pas, per se, although I do feel that it might end up in the stable with the other one trick ponies. The Tartan Ball comes pretty late in the season, and the white doublet, coupled with a predominately red & white tartan, would give it a "Christmassy" look that would probably avoid any adverse comment. But, because of its unusual nature, I don't think it's the sort of thing that could be worn all that often.

I think the overall style is sharp-- but for my money the white is too limiting. Were it I, I'd be considering something in claret, with either matching or black silk facings, and a black velvet collar.

[Biathlonman]

It not only looks summery, it reminds of something a Nazi would wear. Looks like Reichmarshall Goering's white uniform. Put on 100 lbs, become a heroin addict, and it'll be perfect for you.

There are so many attractive non-white options I suggest you keep searching for "the" doublet.

[Teufel Hunden]

First, thanks for the posts, gentlemen.

I think the trick is in deciding where to wear it and what your attitude will be. If you expect to be having a good time, with maybe a small gleam in your eye, then I think you can face down anybody who might expect to quote the Kilt Statutes at you. If you are looking to fit in, maybe on your first visit to some highfalutin affair, well, maybe you should let your gentleman's gentleman guide you.

I like to cause a small stir, and get some positive attention when I go out looking my best. Fitting in is part of it, as I wouldn't want to look like a clown or have people think I'm trying too hard for attention, but a dash of color, especially when men's formal wear is almost like a uniform of black and white, is what I'm generally after. This doublet would be quite a bit more than a dash of color, but that's what I like about highland wear... sometimes it's tastefully loud. On your last sentence, my first experiences with highland formal events specifically, will be with my black Montrose worn like the pic I posted above, with the rest of the outfit being very typical or traditional... so I'll get a good sense of just how much flair people generally put into these things.

I don't think it would be a faux pas, per se, although I do feel that it might end up in the stable with the other one trick ponies. The Tartan Ball comes pretty late in the season, and the white doublet, coupled with a predominately red & white tartan, would give it a "Christmassy" look that would probably avoid any adverse comment. But, because of its unusual nature, I don't think it's the sort of thing that could be worn all that often.

Actually, the Christmassy look is something I'd avoid at all costs. Standing out and looking good is what I enjoy, but I would absolutely HATE to have people think I was trying to fit some theme or something like that.

I think the overall style is sharp-- but for my money the white is too limiting. Were it I, I'd be considering something in claret, with either matching or black silk facings, and a black velvet collar.

Great minds think alike, my friend.

I've thought about this color combo as well. Not claret specifically, but various shades of red. The more I think about it, I could have a LOT of fun with my current doublet before I go too crazy getting another one made, and when I DO get a new one, I'd like it to be a pony with at least two tricks.

I'll take some good pics with my current doublet and spend some time in photoshop experimenting with different colors. I think yours and Artificer's ideas would pan out pretty well.

It not only looks summery, it reminds of something a Nazi would wear. Looks like Reichmarshall Goering's white uniform. Put on 100 lbs, become a heroin addict, and it'll be perfect for you.

Summery perhaps, but I doubt many Nazis had kilts on.

[BoldHighlander]

Great suggestions...

I think the overall style is sharp-- but for my money the white is too limiting. Were it I, I'd be considering something in claret, with either matching or black silk facings, and a black velvet collar.

I was earlier thinking of a red (claret) as well. Why not both? Then you'll have the white when you wish to wear it, but won't be limited by it either?

Summery perhaps, but I doubt many Nazis had kilts on.

Indeed!

[artificer]

Deep Claret and Inky blue are the two colours I'm vacillating between. Neither with a counter-colour liner though. I have enough trouble wearing a suit that isn't black

Keep us abreast of developments, I can't wait to see what you decide on.

[SlackerDrummer]

Put on 100 lbs, become a heroin addict, and it'll be perfect for you.

Not met very many heroin addicts I guess.

[Teufel Hunden]

Deep Claret and Inky blue are the two colours I'm vacillating between. Neither with a counter-colour liner though. I have enough trouble wearing a suit that isn't black

Suits are my forte.

I was just looking at the Mess Dress uniforms for the kilted regiments, and I must say, Claret would look AWESOME when compared to some of the brighter shades of red. It has a bit of elegance to it I think, and can have some very interesting colors added to match.

Keep us abreast of developments, I can't wait to see what you decide on.

I certainly will! Expect to see plenty of pics and experiments as the year goes on.