Kilt Suit Questions

[Computergeek]

Lately I have been considering wearing a modern three button charcoal suit coat with a fine grey pinstripe with my kilts, it have not ben modified in any way. what would the rabble think of that? and with or without a sporran? I am trying to find a way to wear a kilt as business attire in a modern style. I don't want it to look to formal but definatly dressed up. and I would like to be able to wear the same jacket whether I am in a kilt or trousers. as always thanks for the advice and community.
Thanks,
Jeremy

[Geoff Withnell]

Lately I have been considering wearing a modern three button charcoal suit coat with a fine grey pinstripe with my kilts, it have not ben modified in any way. what would the rabble think of that? and with or without a sporran? I am trying to find a way to wear a kilt as business attire in a modern style. I don't want it to look to formal but definatly dressed up. and I would like to be able to wear the same jacket whether I am in a kilt or trousers. as always thanks for the advice and community.
Thanks,
Jeremy

I would wear a more standard jacket, perhaps a bit shorter than usual, WITHOUT a sporran, to obviate the need for the sporran cutaway. It should look good with a kilt, without looking to out of place with trousers. One man's opinion.

Geoff Withnell

[Panache]

Jeremy,

This is definately a case where a picture would be worth a thousand words.

Show us how it looks and you will get your best answers

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[ForresterModern]

I am sure others will pipe in with their opinions shortly.

There are specifically cut shorter kilt jackets and waistcoats designed to show off the pleats and fell of the kilt in the back as well as cut away at the bottom of the front in order to not interfere with and allow the sporran to show. Standard suit and sport coats and vets do not have these advantages in relation to wearing with a kilt, and would tend to appear too long and to busy in front around the sporran. There are more modern cuts of kilt jackets that are not the formal PC or Argyle or even the tweed Argyle/Crail/Braemar kilt coats, but all are designed to be shorter than standard coats to show more of the kilt. Wearing them with pants would likely look silly, kind of like a waiter or busboy at a hotel restaurant rather than a real business attire. So generally the two styles --kilt or non-kilt-- don't cross well. Folks have done it, and folks will continue to do it. And you can too. But take a good look at yourself in a mirror in your proposed outfit first before wearing it to work, take a few pictures from various angles and comparethem towhat you see here on the forum.

Good luck.

[Computergeek]

I will try and take a picture in the next couple days I am at work right now. I appreciate the advice so far and keep it coming.
Thanks guys

[BEEDEE]

Check out Howie Nicolsby's look at: http://www.21stcenturykilts.com/

Brian

[Computergeek]

I really like some of the work that Howie has done and were I in Scotland I would definatly have a look at his shop. As I am in the states that would be a longer trip than I can take right now. (getting married in three weeks and the bride to be would not be happy with me were I to go jaunting off right now) Does anyone know where there are more pictures of the type of jacket that he does are available? There are a handful on his site but not enough to really get a good look at the shape.
Thanks,
Jeremy

[Mark Keeney]

I really like some of the work that Howie has done and were I in Scotland I would definatly have a look at his shop. As I am in the states that would be a longer trip than I can take right now. (getting married in three weeks and the bride to be would not be happy with me were I to go jaunting off right now) Does anyone know where there are more pictures of the type of jacket that he does are available? There are a handful on his site but not enough to really get a good look at the shape.
Thanks,
Jeremy

A little sappy for my taste but they wear Howie's kilt Suits
Celtic Thunder in Kilt Suits

Here too.

[cavscout]

There is a nice little current building (has been for the past few years) as guys start wanting to wear a nice blazer or sport coat with their kilts but don't want to wear the gauntlet cuffs and epaulets typically seen on Argyle, bramar and other traditional kilt coats.

Many, like myself, have taken a nice sport coat to a local alteration shop and had it modified into a kilt coat. Relatively inexpensive option considering actual kilt coats can run $300+.

To answer your question, I don't think standard suit coats look right with a kilt. They are too long and without the sporran and cutaway the front of the outfit is visually unbalanced and out of proportion. Again, this is just to my eye.

Howies kilt suits are one of my favorite outfits and if I had the coin, I'd definitely get one.

Considering how easy it is to find a nice jacket at a thrift store, or maybe there is already one in the closet not being worn, and take it to a tailor for modifications, having a nice semi-formal kilt coat is within everyones budget.

Even that coat that is juuuuuuuust a bit too small now can be modified into a kilt coat since typically you don't wear a kilt coat buttoned and they are supposed to be a bit more fitted. As long as it's not pulling across the shoulders it should look pretty good at a fraction of the cost.

If you have the means to buy new, check out Freedom Kilts and The Scottish Tartans Museum for these modern style coats.

[Santa Kona]

A regular suit coat I believe is just not right. Howie's suit kilts are very cool but I'm just a bit more old school.