The Wallace Jacket

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hmm. Sandy, we could end up looking like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum if we're not careful.

[piperdbh]

Hmm. Sandy, we could end up looking like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum if we're not careful.

Which is whom? Or, who is which?

I really like that jacket. How would it look without the waistcoat?

[JSFMACLJR]

Which is whom? Or, who is which?

I really like that jacket. How would it look without the waistcoat?

I was thinking the same thing!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Which is whom? Or, who is which?

I really like that jacket. How would it look without the waistcoat?

I don't have any pics of it being worn without the waistcoat. We are offering it as a set, so I wore the waistcoat in all the pics. But I certainly think it would work. I'll have to get some pictures and post them for you.

[HeathBar]

Matt,

Thank you for making these jackets available. I think the giftshop has the most jacket options of any retailer this side of the Atlantic. You really look out for us and I appreciate that.

I do have one question or suggestion. Have you considered seeing if someone would make these jackets in summer/tropical weight fabric? The tweeds are lovely and very traditional, but not very practical for our Southeastern Summers.

[KFCarter]

Matt,

Thank you for making these jackets available. I think the giftshop has the most jacket options of any retailer this side of the Atlantic. You really look out for us and I appreciate that.

I do have one question or suggestion. Have you considered seeing if someone would make these jackets in summer/tropical weight fabric? The tweeds are lovely and very traditional, but not very practical for our Southeastern Summers.

Seconding that!! I have been discussing this idea with a designer/seamstress at the menswear store I use in Savannah. They do bespoke work and are very familiar with tropical weight materials (for obvious reasons) They've been really interested in looking at my kilt jackets and various photos (including the "vintage" thread on X Marks) with an eye to doing a custom job for me... I don't wear my kilt to work much in the summer... NOT because of the kilt, it's perfectly comfortable... but because of the jackets... the tweed or barthea is too warm and the jackets are cut too snugly. We intend to come up with something that addresses both issues. If I had two such jackets I'd be kilted everday at work during the summer!

[pdcorlis]

So... not this Wallace jacket then...



Seriously, Nice jacket Matt!

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Heath,

I've been having similar thoughts. One problem I am encountering is that our jacket makers right now are all in Scotland and they just don't seem comfortable making jackets from lighter weight materials. I had them make one from a lighter weight wool once for a client and they were hesitant to even do that.

If I could find a jacket maker that was familiar with tropical weight materials and was also willing to make a kilt jacket, you bet I'd add it to the line!

[HeathBar]

Heath,

I've been having similar thoughts. One problem I am encountering is that our jacket makers right now are all in Scotland and they just don't seem comfortable making jackets from lighter weight materials. I had them make one from a lighter weight wool once for a client and they were hesitant to even do that.

If I could find a jacket maker that was familiar with tropical weight materials and was also willing to make a kilt jacket, you bet I'd add it to the line!

I can understand that. The weight of the material would affect how the jacket would hang and look, just like it would for a kilt. And I guess they just do not want to compromise their reputation with an inferior looking product. Even if it was built with the same standards. I'm sure you would feel the same way about making a kilt out of 10oz material.

[KFCarter]

I can understand that. The weight of the material would affect how the jacket would hang and look, just like it would for a kilt. And I guess they just do not want to compromise their reputation with an inferior looking product. Even if it was built with the same standards. I'm sure you would feel the same way about making a kilt out of 10oz material.

I've had quite a bit of discussion about this with my local clothiers. Tropical weight jackets will have to be rethought a bit with the idea of the finished product possessing lines and details that are strongly resonant of the originals, but conceived from the beginning to work in lighter materials... we've particularly focused on linens and linen blends but with an eye on textures that will complement the kilt's wool. Structural components and linings will also be rethought to yield a garment that sits lighter, somewhat looser, but can still be recognized as a kilt jacket. We're still in the talking phase, sketching, looking at fabric swatches etc... but there isn't a time that I go into the store when the conversation doesn't turn to the "Tropical Kilt Jacket" project.

This whole thing is in the context of a bespoke jacket or two for yours truly, but who knows.... these folks are all about clothes and as much as they love selling me business suits and shirts, they LOVE my kilts. Stay tuned.

Ken