Seven Days... New Topic

**MacLowlife** · 31st January 11, 05:57 PM

Thanks- All opinions appreciated and suggestions gratefully considered. I especially like seeing those great photographic examples, but I recognize and give thanks for the wisdom of McBug, the honey eater, too.

A while back there was a picture of Alan Cumming wearing a tartan suit when he was knighted. That is a pretty formal occasion, but I wonder if there are other daywear examples and photos around...

**MacMillans son** · 31st January 11, 06:29 PM

Maclowlife, here is a photo of him in his "Dressed to Kilt" outfit from last year. He is wearing a kilt suit with brown boots and sporran. It's about all you can do to dress down a kilt suit I suppose.

http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/11Re4...h/Alan+Cumming

**CMcG** · 31st January 11, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

<snip>
A while back there was a picture of Alan Cumming wearing a tartan suit when he was knighted. That is a pretty formal occasion, but I wonder if there are other daywear examples and photos around...

This tartan kilt suit?

There is also the MacGregor. This photo is rather dressy too, but appears to have been taken during daylight hours:

**CMcG** · 1st February 11, 06:34 PM

Sorry to post over myself

I've been doing my best Googling to find THCD daywear or less formal examples of tartan jackets... you've set a tough challenge MacLowlife! It appears that tartan jackets (with matching kilts) in contemporary times are rather dressy and also somewhat uncommon. There are perhaps more examples of either historical examples, so I'll post some of those too. Apologies if I stray too far from traditional into historical or fashion

Apparently there are some examples of mismatched tartans, which MacLl hinted at...

Here is Ted Allen from an edition of Dressed to Kilt. Tartan jacket that does NOT match his kilt:

A similar but more historical, non-matching tartan combo:

The check on this tweed is strong enough that it's almost like tartan:

A painting of Culloden with mismatched tartans:

**CMcG** · 1st February 11, 06:41 PM

There was a thread a while back about tartan doublets that might be worth revisiting. Lost of good images there:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-60072/

And various older examples:

**MacLowlife** · 1st February 11, 07:57 PM

Thanks, CMcG, for a' that assembling and posting. And for the link to the earlier thread. I like the idea of facings on the lapels and cuffs- wooly or velvet MIGHT just work in the daytime, but shiny or silky would pretty much scream evening wear, I think. A big advantage of solid color facings ( black, navy, even green) would be to point out the tartan a little more by contrast. Since I am planning to work from an already constructed jacket, the pocket flaps might become an issue, but again, using solid fabric to replace them is a good solution.

I dearly love the frogging and braid on the 18th century (?) doublet, but I think that may be too much even for me- and nigh impossible to work from a pre-existing blazer.

I will put in a small, but related plug for Hothir Ethelnor, author and model of the lovely bias doublet in the other thread. I believe he is now helping Josh (NorCal Piper) make doublets over at Skye Highland Outfitters. Josh is doing a little website maintenance at the moment, but the last time I looked, H-E's tartan creations were available to order in PV for remarkably low prices.

I recognize and respect the widely (and wisely) held opinion that a venture such as this is really the province of experienced tailors who will start from scratch, but some of us are born to rush in where angels fear to tread. If this jacket ever gets off the drawing board, I will be sure to post pics.

Thanks everybody, so far and yet to come...