Civilian Mess Jackets

**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.

**CMcG** · 2nd June 11, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by Whidbey78

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.

You can find cheap, good quality, ex-rental Eton or Spencer jackets on eBay US or Canada by searching for "tuxedo waist coat" (note the space in between "waist" and "coat"). This tag, however, would probably turn up a vest on eBay UK

Avoid the Spencer/Eton jackets that are oriented towards the hospitality industry because they are usually cheap, washable polyester (not a formal fabric) and make one look like a waiter or bellhop!

That being said, there are some subtle differences between a mess jacket and an Eton or Spencer. I don't think the latter ever come with cuffs like my jacket... Ex-military mess jackets seem more common on eBay UK.

As for the dip in the back, I'm not sure if that is common or not? The pic from Geoffrey (tailor)'s site shows a level back but Robert MacDonald's site suggests that higher cut sides, peaked front, and dipped back are the standard.

And fair enough, the buttons on my jacket being on one side is unbalanced compared to the decorative 6 button array on a standard Prince Charlie. They are ostensibly there to button the jacket closed, but the irony is that mine are non functional

Originally Posted by Whidbey78

<snip>
In cases where a kilt is allowed with a US military uniform it is an exception, not the rule. This has been discussed and researched ad nausium on the forum.

Let's just let CMcG know he got a heck-of-a deal here and it looks good!

US military uniforms and the kilt seems like a tricky issue to negotiate. Even taking a military mess jacket for civilian wear, in all propriety, requires some extra effort to remove insignia. This is why I looked for (and found) a civilian mess jacket

Thanks for the compliment Whidbey78. It will only be a good deal for me if I can sell off that MacDonald kilt... support your local grad student, rabble

**robbiethepiper** · 2nd June 11, 06:39 AM

Excellent jacket. I have one in a similar style from McKenzie Frain in rifle green with matching vest. Think the white vest a brilliant idea.......Robbie

**CMcG** · 2nd June 11, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by robbiethepiper

Excellent jacket. I have one in a similar style from McKenzie Frain in rifle green with matching vest. Think the white vest a brilliant idea.......Robbie

Nice. The pictures they have on their site have epaulettes and flap cuffs, is that how yours looks too? And does it have the same cut at the waist as mine, that is to say higher cut sides, peaked front, and dipped back?

Please post a pic of your jacket if you can, but here is the one from MacKenzie Frain's site:

**CMcG** · 7th June 11, 07:35 AM

I'm wondering if MoR and robbiethepiper found any pictures of the mess jackets they mentioned?

And where is MacLowlife? It's not like him to miss out on a THCD thread

**robbiethepiper** · 7th June 11, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I'm wondering if MoR and robbiethepiper found any pictures of the mess jackets they mentioned?

And where is MacLowlife? It's not like him to miss out on a THCD thread

Not clever enough to post photos, but mine is as the picture you posted, except in rifle green (very dark) with black facings. Have always found this company VERY flexible and willing to customise a standard design. They are even making me a piper's doublet to my own design at a reasonable cost.....Robbie