Kilt Jackets with Contemporary Kilts

[Geoduck]

OK, I wasn't sure where to post this, so the administration has my permission (not that you would require it) to move it at thier leisure.

In the morning when I'm looking into my closet I see a few fairly nice sportscoats and jackets that I have collected from thift stores over the years that get very little wear. I've been thinking about mixing them up with my UK's, or even ordering a PK in a nicer fabric for dressier occasions that I don't feel like wearing a tartan.

The question is basically this:
Is a normal cut on a jacket horrible looking, or would it work out? I would ask my wife's advice, but she's not as experienced w/ kilt wear as the minion of experts around here (obviously)...

[Alan H]

I don't think a standard sport coat looks very good with a kilt. Now, how one would look with a UK, not sure. But all the pics of guys here at X Marks, or other pics I've seen leave something to be desired. Not that they're HORRIBLE, mind you, but a shorter waisted jacket looks better.

Let's put it this way. I bought a $7.50 sportcoat at St. Vincent de Paul and put it on with my Black Watch and it just looked bad. The proportions were all wrong.

The good news is that if you have a tweed or solid-color coat like that, you can take it to a tailor and get it altered so that it's cut away at the front like an Argyll or Crail jacket. Make it about 4-6 inches shorter than the sportcoat. Now, you've got something.

I just altered that $7.50 St. Vincent De Paul jacket last Saturday. I did the work myself. I finished pressing it last night and honestly, its looks pretty decent on me if I do say so myself. I'd wish that the button was about 3-4 inches higher, but I can live with that for $7.50. VERY important detail about this sportcoat was that the pockets were not slash pockets. Instead, the pockets were just patches of the same wool material that the jacket was made out of, stitched on to the front of the coat. A jacket with slash pockets will always show the slash, which will be very much in the wrong place when you alter the jacket. Look for a jacket with sewn-on patch pockets rather than slash (inset) pockets.

[GMan]

George,

Can't say that I have worn a jacket with my Utilikilt, but have worn it with a shirt and tie, a sweater, or a turtleneck. Looks pretty good.

[Hamish]

It really matters not whether the kilt is a traditional or a contemporary, but jackets normally worn with trousers just do not look 'right' with them. Basically they are too long and, especially when viewed from behind, tend to give you a somewhat 'deformed' appearance. It is all a matter of proportion. Chances are that you would not be wearing a sporran with a contemporary kilt - but you might, and so it would be best for the jacket to be 'cut away' to allow for it.

I never have, nor ever would, wear an 'ordinary' jacket with any kilt - a proper kilt jacket (formal) or a leather 'bomber' jacket (casual) usually keeps me out of trouble.