Which Jacket?

[Scott Gilmore]

You may want to read this: Viking Technology myriad Web sites

I ordered this exact jacket/waistcoat.


After waiting too long, I received a single-button (not the three button shown) jacket with epaulets (which I didn't want) and long lapels (which I also didn't want). Worst of all, the lining was too small by a full two inches in width and breadth at the bottom in back! The result was that when I put it on it curled up in back ridiculously. I looked like a big Scottish duck with it on.

The buttons all fell off while I was simply putting the damn thing on and taking it off while at my local tailor while trying to get it fixed. The buttons also fell off the vest on first use. Buttons, man! You'd think they could sew frikkin' buttons, fercryinoutloud!

There are other alternatives. It may not be easy to find them, but sending your money off to a Viking Technology Web site could be four hundred bucks down the drain.

Fair warning given.

.

[beerbecue]

My unsolicited advice, since you live in Utah - is DO NOT ORDER FROM OVERSEAS!!!! Sorry for the caps, but you may pay much, much more than you had intended... Shipping can be quite high, the exchange rate sucks... and you may get slapped with customs fees.....

Just about the most inexpensive jackets (domestic) that I have found are at j higgins... http://www.jhiggins.net

For daywear, you can't go wrong with a tweed, but for more flexibility you may want to charcoal/black.... like O'Neille said....

[Nanook]

My unsolicited advice, since you live in Utah - is DO NOT ORDER FROM OVERSEAS!!!! Sorry for the caps, but you may pay much, much more than you had intended...

The USD is a quite a low w.r.t. both GBP and EURO and so, factoring in customs duties and shipping, one could perhaps do better locally with a bespoke tailor. Most of the designs for casual kilt jackets are quite well established as the basis for much of women's "sports coats". If you are close to one of the garment hubs I suspect one could probably even arrange through one of the jobbers to get a suitable Prêt-à-Porter or "custom tailored" jacket (long enough sleeves and buttons on the "correct" side) done. Not all production has moved offshore. There are also the "trunk shows".

[Bob C]

The USD is a quite a low w.r.t. both GBP and EURO and so, factoring in customs duties and shipping, one could perhaps do better locally with a bespoke tailor. Most of the designs for casual kilt jackets are quite well established as the basis for much of women's "sports coats". If you are close to one of the garment hubs I suspect one could probably even arrange through one of the jobbers to get a suitable Prêt-à-Porter or "custom tailored" jacket (long enough sleeves and buttons on the "correct" side) done. Not all production has moved offshore. There are also the "trunk shows".

"Prêt-à-Porter" means "ready to wear," not "custom tailored."

[David Dalglish]

Charcoal jackets go with anything, I like them

[Hamish]

Solid wool (Barathea, etc) can be too formal for day wear, in my opinion. If you are looking for a jacket that can be worn for both day and evening wear, I would recommend it being in tweed and it really needs to be dark in colour - charcoal or black. Yes, I know, black CAN be on the formal side, but a black tweed (if you can find it!) would work well.

[Nanook]

"Prêt-à-Porter" means "ready to wear," not "custom tailored."

"Custom tailored" does not mean bespoke. It does not mean made-to-measure. Its a post-manufacturing attribute that means little more than altered to fit someone. People, we need to understand, don't have the same size arms. People with the same chest size often don't have the same size waist width. People also have longer and shorter waists. People have different heights and different proportions. Few jackets fit few people "off the peg". In order to accommodate a wide range of customers with rational stocks one makes "ready to wear" mens clothing adapt via simple (and relatively inexpensive) alterations. One makes arms longer and maybe cuts the waist wider. Its easy for even a mediocre tailor (and most are) to shorten arms. They can't be lengthened. Some ready-to-wear suits, for example, done this way are even superior to many bespoken. Few bespoke tailors will (or even can) build their jackets to the standards of vendors like Brioni, Kiton, Chester Barrie or even Oxxford. Most all made-to-measure (and even many bespoke) tailors take a lot of shortcuts. Customers look at the material and most can't judge workmanship, especially not the stuff under the shell.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I have a single button, gauntlet cuff, lovet grey tweed, Argyll. It's very versatile.

[Colin]

I also have the charcoal tweed jacket and waistcoat from Scottishkilts.net It has served me well this past year and a half.

[Joe Gondek]

I really appreciate all the advice, it sure has helped to make up my mind
I'm going with the single button chacoal argyll with gauntlet cuff
My wife thinks that it will look good with my kilt, I even got the go ahead get the 5 button waistcoat to go with it.