Civilian Mess Jackets

**JSFMACLJR** · 1st June 11, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

And I believe Sir Lachlan MacLean has a jacket in green velvet with a very similar cut to mine. His has awesome salmon buttons though

Maybe JSFMACLJR has some more pictures, but here is one to start:

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I think your mess jacket looks splendid. Good find!

Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart's doublet is actually more of a "Prince Charlie coatee", and as such has tails in the rear, as can be seen in this photo. It is, nonetheless, a beautiful jacket.

**CMcG** · 1st June 11, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

My father was partial to the mess jacket when kilted; he liked them because there were no buttons in the back to get caught on dining chairs! I may have a photo of my father, brother, and self, and if I do I'll post it as it shows three distinct types of formal jackets all worn at the same event-- my brother's wedding!

As to the velvety fabric your jacket is made from, my guess is that it's doe skin, an ultra-fine wool.

I'd love to see that photo! You don't often post pics, so I'd be happy to help, if needed.

And I agree with your father about the mess jacket. The simplicity of the style is very appealing to me both practically and visually.

Originally Posted by Mickey

I love mess dress. Always have. Somewhere in our house is a USMC mess dress blue jacket that I'm trying to find. That is how they are supposed to fit, and yes, they do feel funny for a bit, being as short as they are. Really sweet find and you sir, as always, look smashing. Honestly man, is there ANYTHING that you don't look great in?

Thanks Mickey. If you do find that USMC mess jacket, try it with a kilt and let us know how it goes...

Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR

<snip>
Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart's doublet is actually more of a "Prince Charlie coatee", and as such has tails in the rear, as can be seen in this photo. It is, nonetheless, a beautiful jacket.

His coatee/doublet is indeed beautiful. Thanks for the pic and the clarification!

**Spartan Tartan** · 1st June 11, 03:14 PM

I'm also a fan of the mess jacket. When I get out of the Navy--whenever that is--i plan to have my mess dress jacket's sleeve stripes removed and the gold buttons replaced. Then it will look nearly identical to yours.

I especially like the diced hose. How did you get such a good colour matching with your kilt?

**MacRobert's Reply** · 1st June 11, 03:35 PM

Very smart and you wear it well. The 'white' waistcoat looks very good with it too.

**CMcG** · 1st June 11, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

I'm also a fan of the mess jacket. When I get out of the Navy--whenever that is--i plan to have my mess dress jacket's sleeve stripes removed and the gold buttons replaced. Then it will look nearly identical to yours.

I especially like the diced hose. How did you get such a good colour matching with your kilt?

Good call on the converted Navy mess jacket. Sound like we might be waiting a while to see that one?

As for the diced hose, it was the doing of davidlpope and I can't thank him enought! See his thread post here.

**Poohspot18** · 1st June 11, 04:28 PM

I found some Pictures on Cullinn Craft http://www.cuillinn.com/notesMay06.html of a fellow named Lance who wore the Mess dress for his wedding. I was looking to find out if it was authorized so I could do likewise without fear of reprisal. At present it isn't, for the Marines. Though in the Army and Airforce I know there are Official tartans, and are authorized for wear in uniform. the Leatherneck is not officially recognized by the Marine Corps yet. Notice here that all the other branches are wearing Kilts with Uniform Items, except the Marines. http://www.alexismalcolmkilts.com/1089/1098.html People are working on it. I still intend to have mine set up so I can wear it that way if I can smooth talk my command into it. Good Luck.

**longhuntr74** · 1st June 11, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Poohspot18

...who wore the Mess dress for his wedding. I was looking to find out if it was authorized so I could do likewise without fear of reprisal. At present it isn't, for the Marines. Though in the Army and Airforce I know there are Official tartans, and are authorized for wear in uniform...

Can't speak for the USAF, but your statement about the Army is absolutely false. There's no "official" tartan and it's not authorized for wear with uniforms...unless you've read some brand new AR670-1 that I'm unfamiliar with. I've seen it done. Doesn't mean it's official or authorized.

**Whidbey78** · 1st June 11, 10:27 PM

Looks good CMcG. I don't have one yet, but it would be my choice for formal wear. I'm keeping my eyes open for a ridiculously good deal on a mess jacket or an Eton. I don't go formal very often--every couple of years--but wouldn't mind having it ready to go.

I noticed the "dip" in the back in one of your pics. Is that the norm for civilian style mess jackets? I never really noticed it before. It's kind of like a bobbed tail or a vestigial remnant of long tails. I'm not sure if I like that part, but I wouldn't see it so it really wouldn't matter.

I really dig the cuffs though. Much nicer than the US style military ones. I'll probably wind up converting a bargain tailcoat before I find a really good deal on a mess jacket.

It seems a bit unbalanced with three buttons on the right side, but I'm used to seeing them on both sides.

Congrats on the find! I'm sure it will serve you well for many years.

**macwilkin** · 2nd June 11, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by Poohspot18

I found some Pictures on Cullinn Craft http://www.cuillinn.com/notesMay06.html of a fellow named Lance who wore the Mess dress for his wedding. I was looking to find out if it was authorized so I could do likewise without fear of reprisal. At present it isn't, for the Marines. Though in the Army and Airforce I know there are Official tartans, and are authorized for wear in uniform. the Leatherneck is not officially recognized by the Marine Corps yet. Notice here that all the other branches are wearing Kilts with Uniform Items, except the Marines. http://www.alexismalcolmkilts.com/1089/1098.html People are working on it. I still intend to have mine set up so I can wear it that way if I can smooth talk my command into it. Good Luck.

See: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...tml#post987262

T.

**saxandpipes** · 1st June 11, 04:39 PM

Wow, continuing to make me envious...!

What a find!

Maybe the sleeves look a little bit long, they seem to bunch up a bit in the view from the back. But otherwise, what great fortune to find something like that. I like the look, and again a bit different to what one normally sees young people wearing.

Also, seriously coveting the hose... and I was thinking of a Regulation Doublet for my wedding (next year!) but I might be tempted to investigate this style further... I like the simplicity of it, while still managing to be quite striking.

Cheers!

Michael