Vest question

[OC Richard]

This is a tweed waistcoat/vest from an ordinary shop in the shopping mall (originally; I got it used on Ebay)



In contrast, here's a waistcoat specifically made for wearing with the kilt, by J Higgins. These can be ordered in various lengths, a very good thing

[Kiltedmedic]

I live in the United States. And I have $100. The problem I am having is that I find a vest that seems like it has the proper chest measurement but the length seems too long. The I read the reviews and it will say something to the effect that "this best fits me great, I am 6'2" and weigh 160 lbs." sorry, but God blessed my family with chest muscle, not height.

[OC Richard]

I live in the United States. And I have $100. The problem I am having is that I find a vest that seems like it has the proper chest measurement but the length seems too long.

Try J Higgins. What's cool about them is that they offer all their vests in a variety of lengths. It's one of the reasons that they're the 'go-to' place for pipe bands around here: they seem to be able to fit everybody. Also their service is fast. Their vests are $70.

Here they are! They can also make them in tweed, or tartan.

http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...181C0C0OQSP9FD

One of the other reasons that pipe bands love the Higgins vests is that the back is made out of the same Barathea as the front. Thing is, pipe bands usually wear vests without jackets, and we've found that years of being out in the sun and rain will fade and discolour the satin backs of vests made to be worn with jackets. (What was black satin will turn an ugly pinkish purple.)

I'm guessing that they can make the back satin if you want.

[Son of the Rock]

J Higgins seems like a good bet. Those a fantastic prices. This is the first time I've heard of them (probably because I live across the pond). My suggestions were mainly for Scottish made vests, as they are what I'm familiar with, but he shipping might edge them over the $100 mark.

[Nathan]

Kiltedmedic,

Don't be afraid to check thrift stores. If the vest is a little long, you can have it shortened by a tailor. Say you pay 15-20 for a nice vest/waistcoat at a thrift shop and then spend another $25 having it altered. Bam, you're good to go. I've also paid to have gussets added to the sides of a vest my father...um... outgrew, so that's an option if the length is right but it's too small around.

If you're a good shopper with a reasonably good tailor, you might be able to afford two after alterations within your $100 budget.

Here's a thrift shop find I had shortened and then added faux horn buttons. I'm on the far left.

1385290_10152283327321041_127161819_n_zps9f4b5d5d.jpg

[Sir Didymous]

I like wearing the 1803 waistcoat found at the top of this page. It's in your price range and you can give your chest measurement. It is actually a bit high waisted for anything but reenactment attire, or in my case kilts. It may be worth looking into. http://smoke-fire.com/1803-clothes-and-patterns-1.asp

[ABG0819]

Without hijacking the thread, I too have been curious about wearing a shirt/tie and a vest with my kilt. I am not a hugely formal guy, and putting several hundred dollars into a formal outfit I may wear once a year (if that) is not on my to do list. However, recently I have considered wearing my kilt to church and similar suit/tie type events. Yes I have thought of converting a sport coat into a kilt jacket but I am sitll in the infancy stages of sewing, so that will be a while.

My question would be:

Would a kilt, shirt and 5 button waistcoat look okay without a jacket?

Again I don't mean to hijack but it seemed like to the place to post without starting a new thread.

Graham

[Tobus]

Would a kilt, shirt and 5 button waistcoat look okay without a jacket?

Just to be clear, are you talking about wearing this with or without a tie? You didn't mention a tie, so I'm assuming not. I'd say that would be a very modern look, like all the hipsters are doing nowadays (albeit with trousers). Make sure you roll up your sleeves and muss your hair to complete the look that says, "I'm sort-of dressed nicely but I want it to be clear that this is a casual look."

In all seriousness, that sort of look would really be under-dressed for situations as you describe as "suit/tie type events". Below you'll see a couple of examples of myself (from several years ago; please ignore the tartan flashes!) wearing just a waistcoat with no jacket. Either with a tie or without. You can be the judge as to what looks better. Personally, I think a waistcoat is a marginal step up from no waistcoat, but still doesn't come anywhere near approaching a level of dress that would include a jacket. Given the choice between the two, a jacket is the more appropriate thing to wear without a waistcoat, rather than a waistcoat without a jacket.

[ABG0819]

Actually I was considering both looks. I was looking for a classy look not really formal or even semi-formal. Just a step up from t-shits and polos.

Graham

[t_challa]

I wear waistcoats with my kilt all the time, as I'm a big proponent of the modern/casual way of wearing a kilt. I have loads of waistcoats that I've bought from vintage shops in Camden. I've found that vintage waistcoat are made of better materials than modern ones and tend to be shorter in the front, meaning there are no issues with my sporran. Plus, vintage = cheaper. And you're safe in the knowledge that no-one else will have one like yours (probably).