Corduroy for a formal jacket or doublet.

[Harold Cannon]

I have two rather large pieces of corduroy fabric. One is black and the other is red. I have wondered if a formal jacket in the style of Lord Sempill and Stuart Balgonie would look well.

What does the rabble think?

Maybe a black doublet with red vest. Maybe even the jacket having a red collar and cuffs.

I have enough material in the red that I could probably have a doublet made of it as well.

[Chas]

I don't want to be a party-pooper, but there was a time when corduroy was seen as a working clothing, because it was considered to be hard wearing. Working-class and lower middle class, rather than upper middle class. Does it matter - I don't know, but you don't see a lot of it in the UK.

Regards

Chas

[Harold Cannon]

I do have velvet fabric as well.

My thinking is that it would be something out of the ordinary. I kind of like custom stuff you know! LOL

[creagdhubh]

Harold,

I say go for it! However, I will say that I tend to agree with Chas and the fact that corduroy has often been seen as "a working clothing." That's not to say it wouldn't look smart as a jacket (and waistcoat) to be worn with Highland day attire. I do believe Matthew Newsome offers corduroy material for his bespoke kilt (suit style) jackets and waistcoats available at New House Highland and the corduroy material looks quite nice in all of the colours offered. I just think corduroy would not be suitable for Highland evening attire. Barathea, tartan, or smooth and sleek velveteen tend to be the more "appropriate" fabrics for such occasions. Naturally, this is my opinion and please let me not dissuade you in any fashion.

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

I do have velvet fabric as well.

My thinking is that it would be something out of the ordinary. I kind of like custom stuff you know! LOL

I totally get that, Harold. And my hat is off to you for thinking outside of the norm!

[Harold Cannon]

The corduroy may get used for a daywear jacket and then have a nice doublet in velvet.

Now I just have to find a good local seamstress.

[artificer]

You could give it a shot, but I hope the corduroy has VERY narrow wales. I tend to agree with Chas that it's sort of a mismatch between a casual fabric and formal purpose. But then again, it's not my doublet.

ith:

[Chas]

I am not saying that it is wrong - and it is certainly different.

All things considered, I think with your level of expertise it will be to a high standard.

I look forward to the pictures.

Regards

Chas

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I'll echo what others have said in saying that corduroy is typically seen as a more working, rugged fabric, and so for that reason would be great for daywear. It would be... unexpected, shall we say, as evening wear.

Now this is coming from the man who has a Harris Tweed sheriffmuir doublet! Tweed, like corduroy, is also seen as a working cloth and so not used for formal wear. But I decided to be different, and you know what? I like it!

But I went into it knowing I was going to have something different, and I was willing to take the risk that I'd end up with something that was not suitable for either evening or day wear. However, the risk paid off and I have enjoyed wearing this doublet for both evening and day attire.

With tweed, though, I had the benefit of the fact that it was a fabric already well established as a staple of Highland attire. With corduroy, you don't have that. So just the fact that you have a kilt jacket at all in corduroy will be seen as a bit different. A formal doublet in such will be even more so!

[creagdhubh]

With tweed, though, I had the benefit of the fact that it was a fabric already well established as a staple of Highland attire. With corduroy, you don't have that. So just the fact that you have a kilt jacket at all in corduroy will be seen as a bit different. A formal doublet in such will be even more so!

Excellent point, Matt!