Highland Evening Doublet made of Strome Tartan

[OC Richard]

Years ago Geoffrey Tailor, at their booth at local Highland Games, used to display a mannequin dressed in a tartan Sheriffmuir doublet and matching kilt.

The tartan was a "weathered" one, so it had tones of olive brown, grey, and rust.

It was amazing. I wonder if anyone ever took photos of it.

[creagdhubh]

Years ago Geoffrey Tailor, at their booth at local Highland Games, used to display a mannequin dressed in a tartan Sheriffmuir doublet and matching kilt.

The tartan was a "weathered" one, so it had tones of olive brown, grey, and rust.

It was amazing. I wonder if anyone ever took photos of it.

Sounds wonderful! Hopefully a photo or two turns up!

Aye,

[creagdhubh]

While the red tartans do look smashing, probably one of the best tartan suits I've seen is that worn by McKerrill of Hillhouse. Sandy, can you post a picture?

In tailoring, as in life, you get what you pay for. As big a fan as I am of Stewart Christie, I'll probably bite the bullet (a dum-dum, I'm sure) and opt for M&M in London when I can't hold off the tartan doublet & waistcoat impulse any longer.

I concur Scott. Bite that bullet mate!!!

[JSFMACLJR]

While the red tartans do look smashing, probably one of the best tartan suits I've seen is that worn by McKerrill of Hillhouse. Sandy, can you post a picture?.

I wish I had a pic of Charles in tartan, but alas! I do not.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I concur Scott. Bite that bullet mate!!!

Sadly Kyle it's a matter of first things first-- I'm still recovering from the economic shock of the current "old car"! Perhaps in the spring...

[MacLowlife]

Kyle,

I am also a devotee of the tartan doublet. In Sanford's montage I did not see this time a fine weathered red tartan doublet worn by a gent in Atlanta (I believe) that has appeared before. Like all kilt wearers, he is distinguished, and he has a moustache, as I recall. Anyway, I mention him because his doublet appears to have been retrofitted from a sportcoat. It is a beautiful job with bucket cuffs and scalloped pocket flaps. I may be mistaken about its original form, but it is NOT cut on the bias. I mention it here because you might know of a blazer or dinner jacket lying around that you might remake as a first step. Thousands of pounds, even hundreds of pounds, is a lot to plow into something you may always admire but not often wear.

(Actually, he may appear as a headless man with a double breasted waistcoat standing on a blue patterned carpet. . Please, no references to the Duchess of Argyle.)


I would get your dream doublet in the lightest weight you can find, especially if you are going to wear it to balls and events where you might be dancing. 12 ounce is still pretty warm, especially in a crowded ballroom. My suggestion is to get a medium-gorge jacket and both high-cut and low cut waistcoats. That will give you a jabot option.

The Duke of Rothesay is said to favor the Balmoral style doublet, which at least one house makes up as a high gorge lapel style, belted with flaps and no waistcoat at all. I would use it as a departure point, not a final destination. I have a Montrose that I love, but I have learned that waistline expansion is a constant battle. Your tailor will suggest that you plan on it and I agree. And the ventilation of an open jacket, even with a waistcoat, is important.

Quite a while back, I asked a neophyte's question about wearing multiple tartans and was given sound and sympathetic advice. You might enjoy reading those responses, particularly with regard to different setts of the same clan tartan.

I believe you are still a young man, which is why I mention waistline expansion. Like bifocals, it is nearly inevitable. I hope you get your doublet soon and wear it into a long, ripe old age.

[creagdhubh]

Thank you very much for your most generous and detailed response MacLowlife, it is much appreciated.

Kind regards,

[creagdhubh]

A vest/waistcoat, not a jacket. But when I had my X Marks vest made to go with my X Marks kilt Kathy Lare recommended it be done to match, not on the bias. Of course many on the board recommended the bias. I trusted her opinion due to her schooling.

If it helps any as an option to consider, here's what it looked like together and matching directions of the tartan.

Thanks for your response mate, however, I love seeing an evening jacket or doublet completed in tartan, and I desperately want to have one made very soon (after appropriate research is complete)-that is the whole point of me posting this thread. I already have 8 tartan waistcoats (Macpherson Hunting Modern, Macpherson Hunting Ancient, Macpherson Red Modern, Macpherson Red Ancient-all 16oz Strome from Lochcarron and made by Kinloch-Anderson); four silver 3 button, cut on the bias for evening wear, and four staghorn 5 button, cut on the bias for day wear.

Slainte,

[OC Richard]

I recently came across this photo of a Highland costume made in 1822.

The tartan looks quite a bit like the Dalgleigh "weathered colours", doesn't it?

Makes me want to get something like it...

[BoldHighlander]

I recently came across this photo of a Highland costume made in 1822.

The tartan looks quite a bit like the Dalgleigh "weathered colours", doesn't it?

Makes me want to get something like it...

Richard, that's the same outfit I posted on page 1 of this thread, though I like this pic as it's not as dark.