MoR's aptly named Sweltering Summer Rig (SSR) is an important consideration for the kilted in warmer climes. Even in Canada, with our reputation for cold temperatures, it gets hot. Today is a sweltering 42 Celsius (107.6 Fahrenheit), with the Humidex!

I'm not, however, sold on the white mess jacket. This is not an intrinsic judgement but more of a practical issue. A black mess jacket worn with an open-back vest or a dirk belt is considerably cooler than other formal kilt jackets. But it would also be suitable for non SSR situations...

If one has room in the closet, money to spend, and events where a white mess jacket would be appropriate, then by all means. Otherwise, I'd say a black one is more versatile and yet still forgiving in a good swelter. Especially if it was made in a fine, lighter wool.

Mitchell's of New Zealand makes a mess jacket that would fit the bill:


Even with regular weight, the high-cut style of the mess jacket is what makes it cooler. It does not, perhaps, appeal to everyone but it is practical. I mentioned Robert MacDonald's thoughts on the subject in an earlier post but I think it is worth quoting him at length with pictures, in regards to the correct waist height of a mess jacket:

Apparently this is ideal


And he says his own is too long. Note that he appears to have neither waistcoat, cummerbund, nor belt under his jacket...


"I must add that I've never encountered a dishonest tailor or one who didn't take pride in his work, but I was unable to convince a certain well-respected tailor that the Eton Jacket (which you see at the top of this article) he had made for me was about 3" to long to wear with a kilt and I wear it to this day as a lesson to myself.
Compare the jacket in the centre with the Black Watch mess jacket on the left. The centre-back of the BW jacket is no lower than the 'swell' of the backside and the hem at the sides is about equal with the top of the hip-bone (not the navel, as I said in my website). THAT is the effect you should be looking for!
Incidentally, the style of Mess Jacket as worn by the Black Watch is very interesting - note that the buttons (and the button-holes as well, although you can't see them in this photo) go all the way up to the 'notch' in the lapel. This is a vesitgal 'echo' of the origin of the mess jacket - a 'fatigue jacket' with the buttons undone and the 'stand' collar folded down.
A version of this jacket done in black Melton cloth with silver buttons would be a spectacular alternative to the mass-produced Charlie jackets that everyone else wears!"