HERE'S a TREAT

[Paul Henry]

It 's interesting that both Matt and MacLowlife have mentioned American dress conservatism in this thread and indeed it is something that I have been working on here, nicely I hope, with you chaps for quite a while now, so I know exactly what Matt and MacLl. are saying. However, that "ebay jacket" is exactly an example of the volume of loudness(and louder) of dress that we see many Americans wearing in Scotland when they are visiting here. I saw a classic example of this today, whilst I cannot say for sure that he was an American, he was certainly North American judging by the accent. Strange isn't it?

My thoughts as well,we used to play a game as children by spotting people by their clothing, it wasn't difficult to work out the Americans, who were almost always wearing rather brighter or busier or louder garments. I'm sure it's not fool proof, but there is something in it, and before people get upset it was done without any mean intent, just a way of passing time when on holiday in Scotland and England.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

merchants have long exhibited the extreme to sell the moderate.

There is definitely truth in that. When Lamar Britt (Ferguson Britt) first showed us at the Scottish Tartans Museum a zebra fur sporran he had made, I told him, "We probably won't sell many zebra sporrans, but having one on display will certainly catch people's attention and will probably result in us selling more of your other sporrans." It's true. People are attacted to some of the more extreme, flashy examples put before them, but often purchase and take home something more sensible.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

It 's interesting that both Matt and MacLowlife have mentioned American dress conservatism in this thread and indeed it is something that I have been working on here, nicely I hope, with you chaps for quite a while now, so I know exactly what Matt and MacLl. are saying.

Oh, it can backfire!

I have long encouraged people to not be afraid to wear patterns with a tartan kilt -- thinking tattersal shirt, striped ties, or windowpane or check tweed jackets.

But one time at a Highland Games over here I saw a chap who was wearing a kilt in the Black Watch tartan, a flannel shirt in the Royal Stewart tartan, and a day plaid over his shoulder in a third tartan. I don't recall now what was on his feet, but he very well may have been wearing diced hose.

He looked rather proud of himself and told me he was taking my advice on wearing a patterned shirt with his kilt. I was speechless!

[Jock Scot]

Thank you Matt , you have made my day!

[CMcG]

Oh, it can backfire!

...

He looked rather proud of himself and told me he was taking my advise on wearing a patterned shirt with his kilt. I was speechless!

In light of this, I take back what I wrote earlier about the now-infamous eBay jacket... my advice is now to leave it -- or other similarly patterned jackets -- to the scarecrows

[Tobus]

I think the jacket MacLowlife posted is gorgeous, but that it wouldn't go with just any old tartan kilt. It would be great with a solid colour kilt, a tweed kilt with a subtle pattern, or maybe even a low contrast tartan like Black Watch, especially if it were a small sett as Matt has suggested. OCR's picture of Archie MacPhedran (above) appears to be a shepherd's check kilt and a bold patterned jacket also looks good there.

I find it shocking and totally out of character that I've replied twice to this thread but haven't addressed the pattern issue. Colin, let it be entered into the record that I agree with your take on it. As everyone probably knows, I like patterned jackets, especially considering our recent discussion on the topic of when a pattern is too much. And it's probably worth reiterating that there is no single answer. It depends on context and what else is worn with it. Mixing patterns can be a bit of an art form, but it's easy to go "too far" with it. Everybody has a different threshold.

But yeah, while this jacket is a very bold pattern, I could see it looking OK with a very subtle tartan like Blackwatch in "modern" colours (but not so much in "ancient" colours). Or a solid-colour tweed kilt. When there's no competing pattern, this jacket wouldn't be any more of a 'statement' than a tartan kilt itself, in my opinion. Rather, it would just be replacing the tartan in the kilt. Heck, this jacket would still not be as loud as some of the tartan jackets that well-respected Highland gentlemen have been known to wear.

That said, I probably wouldn't choose this jacket. But not because the pattern is too large or bold. I think I just don't care for the colours used. But it could look very nice on someone when put together with the right outfit.

It 's interesting that both Matt and MacLowlife have mentioned American dress conservatism in this thread and indeed it is something that I have been working on here, nicely I hope, with you chaps for quite a while now, so I know exactly what Matt and MacLl. are saying. However, that "ebay jacket" is exactly an example of the volume of loudness(and louder) of dress that we see many Americans wearing in Scotland when they are visiting here.

Jock, I think it's worth pointing out that this jacket was made in Scotland (or at least the UK), and wasn't chosen by an American. Kinda puts the shoe on the other foot, doesn't it?

[Jock Scot]

Tobus.

Well not really, there is no accounting for taste and yes indeed the jacket was apparently made in Scotland, as was, possibly, the tweed and may have even been ordered and worn by a Scotsman, I don't know.

All I have been doing is talking generally and using that particular jacket as an example for all to bare in mind in the discussion. In passing, it was some Americans enthusing about it here. It still does not alter the fact that it is too loud, in my view and I think probably by many in Scotland(UK too) for a kilt day jacket. We have not been discussing evening wear where tartan jackets are indeed worn.

[MNlad]

I think most of us can agree that it all depends on the context. Muted or solid color kilts are often complimented by a plaid jacket while that same jacket would probably stop traffic with a "Loud" MacLeod. It's the coordination of the entire package that makes or breaks your "look."

That same truth holds true with any attire. Look no further than any episode of The Big Bang for examples of what not to do.

[OC Richard]

How about this??



There's a nice contrast between the pattern of the jacket and the plain kilt... but let's face it, it's hideous.

[Jock Scot]

OCR.

Using as much of my British skill at under-statement as I can muster, the outfit is pretty grim.