Civilian Mess Jackets

[CMcG]

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(So much for keeping my mouth shut and letting others contribute for a while.)

Thanks so much for joining in. I knew the issue of converting mess jackets was one you had considered and you brought up some rather important things for people to think over...

While generally not a fan of kilt jackets that are so short (mostly because I feel they make the wearer's torso look disproportionately small), I have been tempted to get a white mess jacket for wear in the sweltering desert summers.

I think it would help to "beat the heat" - and hope that leaving off the cuff braid and swapping the buttons would remove it from the military uniform standard enough that nobody takes offense at it being worn by a civilian.

The shortness of the waist definitely required an adjustment to (hopefully) balance out the proportions. In the picture I posted, I'm wearing my sporran much higher than usual. Also, a jacket with that short of a waist doesn't work unless the rise on ones kilt is able to match it.

As for beating the heat, I was surprised at how much cooler the mess jacket is compared to my Argyll. I suppose it also helps that the white vest I wore with it is backless...

I believe the Australian Army has a white mess jacket for wear with the kilt. Can any of our Aussie brothers comment from experience on the pros and cons of such a thing?