What kind of Jacket/Waistcoat needed?

[OC Richard]

And I would stay away from black hose, as well. IMHO they just don't look "right" with the kilt. There are many nice colours you can choose from. What's "fashion" today will be old news in no time. Stick with the classics.

No solid colored/self-coloured hose are classic, in the sense that traditionally in Highland dress hose were always patterned, either in a pattern we call "diced" or in some sort of simplified tartan.

Cream/offwhite hose are definately not "classic" but themselves are a relatively recent innovation, one I don't really care for.

About black hose, the first time I saw a pipe band wearing them I didn't like it at all! All their legs, with the black hose and shoes, from a distance, looked like burnt twigs sticking out from under their kilts. And, the distinctive look of the Ghillie brogues was lost. The lighter the hose, the better the Ghillies show up, which is one reason I think pure white hose have been so popular with pipe bands over the last decade or so. With black hose the bands might as well just wear ordinary shoes.

But... at the 2008 World Pipe Band Championships the Spirit of Scotland pipe band showed up beautifully kitted out with their Isle Of Skye kilts and black hose...and now more and more bands are following suit. White and black are no-brainers for bands because they go with any tartan.



I should add that I actually didn't say that I liked black hose in my earlier post; I just observed that they're becoming very popular now. Fashion changes; cream hose are out of fashion and black hose are in fashion. Fashion has nothing to do with any inherent or objective superiority or inferiority, it's just fashion.

[ForresterModern]

Dress well but do not steal the show from your wife, and recognize that the kilt alone will be drawing lots of attention, so dress in a not flashy colorset, other than your kilt. Dark jacket and waistcoat, dark but matching tie, black gear, and dark but matching hose and subtle flashes.

Remember, she is the star--as you said in the OP, you are her arm candy, so look good and play her up at every opportunity. Enjoy.

[MacLowlife]

OC, you have just revealed something important- probably so important that it is obvious to the rest. White hose set off Ghillie brogues. No wonder they are so popular.

The vogue for black hose seems to me to mirror the vogue for all things black- black labels on groceries, head-to-toe black outfits, etc. When I was a lad, black was really not that cool- black was the color of cop cars and bad guys' hats. And bad guys were not necessarily as cool as the last 25 years have made them. Over on another forum, I remember reading that black guitars were not cool at all in the 60s and 70s.

We have Darth MacVader among others, to thank for the change, I suppose. I saw a football team (American) on TV the other night, dressed in black jerseys, black pants, and black socks. They looked menacing and cool. Somehow, menacing and cool have become more desirable in the last half of the 20th century and the dawning of the 21st.

I liked the reference to burned sticks in the post above. I think dark socks or hose tend to make one's legs look even pastier above them. And I have said too many times that dark hose remind me of a gentleman who has just removed his trousers. I prefer something more obviously intended to be seen, something specifically for kiltwear.

But even I know the best advice of all was "See what your wife thinks".

[ChubRock]

After further review and much consideration, I believe I have many options:

a) I can take an existing tweed sport coat that I have and have it altered 'kilt style.' Then I need to find a complimentary waistcoat that doesn't have to match exactly, but needs to coordinate with my MacLellan Ancient as well as the tweed. Not a bad option, and probably the least expensive.
Jacket#1

Jacket#2




b) Shop online or at local thrift stores to find a different tweed jacket or even charcoal/black suit coat and have it altered, as well as find a coordinating waistcoat.


c) Purchase a 3-piece suit with waistcoat and alter the jacket as well as change the buttons on both pieces.



d) Buy an actual kilt jacket and matching waistcoat, spend the money and have something that will last some time.

My conclusions and questions:
I just wonder if a nice wool black suit jacket altered for kilt wearing along with a matching vest is a good direction.

Otherwise, the suggested grey wool coat and coordinating vest would be ok as well.


I really appreciate the many comments and suggestions from the XMTS fellowship. I am sorry to be bothersome and so full of questions. From all that I know, this is the BEST forum to ask these questions.I hope that in the future this thread will serve others as well.

Cliff

[MacLowlife]

Thanks for nudging this thread back onto the track and for letting us watch you refine your decision process. I think either of the jackets you show above would make fine kilt jackets. Someone has pointed out that two vents seem to work better when shortening. I would use that as a decision maker, but you can make a single vent jacket work easily enough.

A black waistcoat would look good with either jacket, as would a charcoal one. It is a good time to buy a waistcoat / vest in the greater marketplace right now, as shown by many references to Target vests in these pages.

Something you might consider is moleskin. Black moleskin ( either for a jacket or vest or both) can look dressy or country-casual depending on what you wear it with- and it also seems to be enjoying a little bit of popularity. It is cheaper than velvet, but looks close to it and it is sturdy. It is also a little cooler than wool, if you want year round (or indoor) versatility.

Unless you just stumble on a 3 piece charcoal suit with ruined trousers, I wouldn't go looking for one. They tend to charge a lot for those britches that you won't be needing...

[McMurdo]

Chub Rock
I'm honoured that you would use a photo of me. I would say if you can not find a kilt jacket then a conversion may well be the ticket here. I would definitely wear a jacket to the function. Please convey my congratulations to your wife. By the way the jacket I'm wearing in that photo is from Hector Russell and was an ex rental, perhaps you could find something similar.

As for hose I'd go for a pair that pick up one of the colours of your tartan.

[Panache]

...so- I don't do tweed myself- never did like it much- so what would you recomend for those of us who don't do tweed? Would an Argyle work? What about an Eton?

How about cotton twill?






These are what I wear when it is too warm for tweed

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[Panache]

ChubRock,

There are a few different threads on XMTS about altering jackets.

If you like the look of the tweed one you have with your kilt I would recomend printing out some pictures of various kilt jackets and then wearing your kilt head down to your local tailor/seamstress and ask about getting your jacket altered. Definately take the time toi explain the sporran cutaway an have them chalk mark the jacket with you wearing it with your kilt.

Decide for yourself if the pocket flaps are going to need to be moved up (and the pockets closed) and if you want epaulettes added. Even with the works it should cost more than $100

Cheers

Jamie :ootd

[OC Richard]

Chub: I have a near-new black Argyll jacket I bought right before losing 40+ pounds. It was actually too big then: it's a 52.

You could have it for $100 if you wish. Just another option. Richard

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

No solid colored/self-coloured hose are classic, in the sense that traditionally in Highland dress hose were always patterned, either in a pattern we call "diced" or in some sort of simplified tartan.

I'm not exactly sure when "always" began, but generally speaking these days hose worn with formal highland attire should preferably be patterned, not plain; but since both the OP and Sandford were referring to day wear highland attire, then solid coloured hose (which have been worn with day wear since the 1860s) are indeed a classic, and in my opinion, the OP's best choice.