Double-breasted jackets?

**svc40bt** · 4th February 10, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by D.A. Guertin

I have a double-breasted jacket in the Black Watch tartan that appears to be cut for wear with a kilt. I bought it second-hand, and don't know a thing about it, though. The only tag in the entire jacket is a 'pure new wool' in 4 different languages...

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

DAG, I'd love to see that DB black watch jacket.

I will second that. Pictures please.

**D.A. Guertin** · 6th February 10, 10:56 AM

*Finally* got the photos off my phone... So, here you are then...

As I mentioned, this jacket is certainly a mystery to me. Heavy woolen cloth in the blackwatch tartan that was so pilled when I bought it I wouldn't have know what it was if it weren't for my eye for these things. I've already spent six hours and three changes of batteries restoring it, and I'm still not done yet!

This is cut in a UK 42 regular, but whether it's from the UK or not, I haven't the foggiest. There is all of *1* tag in the entire thing, located in the inside left breast pocket, reading:

(upper right corner) 23006965

(centred 'wool skien' beneath)

REINE SCHURWOLLE
PURE NEW WOOL
PURE LAINE VIERGE
ZUIVER SCHEERWOL
-------------------
FUTTERSTOFF - LINING
DOUBLURE - VOERING
100% VISCOSE
-------------------
(four symbols indicating don't wash, a triangle with an X through it, an iron with ++ in it, and a P in a circle)

The lining is navy blue, with the buttons all matching in colour. As noted, functional double-breast buttons, two per side, along with two functional buttons to each cuff. Outside slash pockets lined in a fine black cloth. Flat epaulettes at the shoulders, completely sewn all across, and everything speaks to a very high quality of workmanship. Nothing at all to indicate who, what, when, why or where it was made... Falls to just below the belt line, just at the top of the buttocks.

Any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them!!!

**OC Richard** · 8th February 10, 06:23 AM

Originally Posted by KD Burke

I don't recall ever seeing a photo of a double-breasted jacket worn with a kilt.

If you were to go back to 1855 you would see a load of double-breasted doublets worn with kilts, as in that year the kilted Highland regiments switched from the old coatee to a new type of jacket, a doublet with Inverness tashes, double-breasted, with square buttons, seen here worn by these heroes of the Crimea:

It was replaced by a single-breasted model the following year.

I just checked in The Highlanders of Scotland (56 portraits of men in Highland Dress painted in the 1860s, only three in military uniform) and none of the jackets are double breasted. However one man is wearing a double breasted tartan waistcoat/vest with a plain single breasted jacket.

Now here, on the right, is Pipe Major Evan MacRae, shortly after his retirement from long service in the Cameron Highlanders and other regiments going back to WWII. This picture was taken c1980. I've never seen another jacket like that, short, double breasted, with twisted silver and black shoulder cords.

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 8th February 10, 12:47 PM

At least one of the dancers in this photo appears to be wearing a double breasted jacket.

**Paul** · 8th February 10, 03:34 PM

I've just bought a comteporary kilt jacket which is very similar to a suit jacket with an Argyll cut. I'm thinking about a double-breated waistcoat with it for a bit of originality... I don't know if it will stand out a bit too much, though.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 8th February 10, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by Paul.

I've just bought a comteporary kilt jacket which is very similar to a suit jacket with an Argyll cut. I'm thinking about a double-breated waistcoat with it for a bit of originality... I don't know if it will stand out a bit too much, though.

The waistcoat should look fine-- just make sure that there is no gap between the waistcoat and kilt.

**Paul** · 8th February 10, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

The waistcoat should look fine-- just make sure that there is no gap between the waistcoat and kilt.

There wont be at all... my kilts sit at my navel - which is at least 3 inches above where the waistcoat would come down to!

**fluter** · 8th February 10, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Paul.

I've just bought a comteporary kilt jacket which is very similar to a suit jacket with an Argyll cut. I'm thinking about a double-breated waistcoat with it for a bit of originality... I don't know if it will stand out a bit too much, though.

Check out the second photo in creagdhubh's Various Photos of Interest. There's a double-breasted waistcoat that looks very sharp.

**MacLowlife** · 8th February 10, 09:10 PM

DAG, your coat looks like altered outerwear- a mackinaw or reefer jacket chopped off for kiltwear. I call it very smart indeed.

**Lyle1** · 8th February 10, 09:36 PM

I've looked at some short, double-breasted formal jackets, online. I liked the look, but not the poor quality. I've had double-breasted waistcoats in the past, and I liked them. My wife recently bought patterns for waistcoats, and I want her to her make a double-breasted one for formal wear. If she didn't get a pattern for that style, I think I have one she can take apart to copy.