[adsmguy]

I ordered (not from that particular company) one of those crail jackets so I could have the Draig Goch epaulets, but I asked for the standard black cuffs, no tartan. When the jacket arrived, it had the tartan cuffs, and... just wow. I'm pretty relaxed on what "should" be worn, but I couldn't bring myself to wear that any longer than it took to try it for size. It just looked SO wrong to me.

I bought some black barathea in the same weight and corrected that little issue immediately.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Chrystel and I humbly think these tartan gauntlets and co. would look better on a lady's jacket...


Best,

Robert

[Chas]

I don't dislike coloured cuffs just because they are coloured. It is that they tend to look military to my mind.









These were the only pictures I could find in a hurry. I had hoped to find some military mess dress pics, but they all seem to be waist up and no cuffs showing. But I think that these are good exanples.

Regards

Chas

[MacLowlife]

I agree with both of you. Chas, I think a contrasting cuff does look military, but then so do epaulettes. I don't mind a little military influence and I think a Dress Mess can make a fine kilt jacket for dressy, but festive occasions. But I definitely agree with Robert and Lady Chrystel, the tartan facings look like something Coco Chanel might do in a whimsical mood.

Having said ALL of that, I think you might be forgiven for being tempted by scalloped Crail type cuffs in tartan- there is just that much less fabric than the gauntlets and it might work in just the right tartan. But, like a red dress mess, you really would have to limit how often you wore it- a millenial Hogmanay, or your own wedding, or maybe your daughter's ? Even then it would look theatrical and over the top on most men.

[Chas]

When I was very, very young, my mother had a very dark grey calf length coat. A 1940's or 50's style - all wool. The thing about it was that it had changeable collars and cuffs and the little belt in the back. I seem to remember black velvet and very bright red, bottle green and a mustard colour and there was a really hideous purple with off white spots. The idea being that the wearer could change the attachments as either the mood or the situation dictated.

If one had a jacket with working gauntlet cuffs, a covering of some sort could be manufactured to change the colour. The same could be done with Crail cuffs if they were a proper cuff with working buttons. Then the one jacket could be dressed up or down as the circumstances demanded.

Regards

Chas

[berserkbishop]

So maybe this is a stupid question, but I am full of them so here goes!

Why is it acceptable to have the facings of a jacket some contrasting velvet color, but garish to do it with the cuffs?

I have no photo examples, but I think it could look quite smart to have a jacket with constrasting cuffs and facings. It could even be tartan if it was a very understated tartan. Looks alright in my minds eye.

Bishop

[Chas]

I don't know that it is garish, but it is normally very military.







In the right circumstances, contrasting cuffs and facings could look quite grand - the problem is that it could be too grand for everyday wear.

Regards

Chas

[Chas]

I just found this and because of the kilt, had to post it.




Australian Army Mess Dress L-R:
Mess Dress (officers, winter) - Mess Dress White Jacket - Mess Dress White Jacket variation - Scottish Mess Dress - Mess Dress White Shirt

Regards

Chas

[cajunscot]

Originally Posted by Chas

When I was very, very young, my mother had a very dark grey calf length coat. A 1940's or 50's style - all wool. The thing about it was that it had changeable collars and cuffs and the little belt in the back. I seem to remember black velvet and very bright red, bottle green and a mustard colour and there was a really hideous purple with off white spots. The idea being that the wearer could change the attachments as either the mood or the situation dictated.

If one had a jacket with working gauntlet cuffs, a covering of some sort could be manufactured to change the colour. The same could be done with Crail cuffs if they were a proper cuff with working buttons. Then the one jacket could be dressed up or down as the circumstances demanded.

Regards

Chas

Not the best photo, but it was the only one I could find of HRH the Duke of Rothesay wearing a evening jacket with red collar & cuffs:

http://activerain.com/image_store/up...8571695821.jpg

There used to be one in the thread about Prince Charles's Highland attire, but I think it has been deleted from a flicker account.

T.

[Chas]

Not the Duke, maybe a future Duke.



The Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince William sign the guest book during a Sunset Ceremony at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire as part of the RAF's 90th anniversary celebrations

Note William's cuffs and facings.

Regards

Chas