Beginners' Question . . .

[lukenm]

This may sound like a silly question, but I figured I'd throw it out there: can a suit jacket be worn with a kilt to a semi-formal occasion? I figured it could be, but I thought I'd see what everyone else thinks before I go out looking stupid, since I have absolutely no sense in what matches. Thanks.

[Panache]

This may sound like a silly question, but I figured I'd throw it out there: can a suit jacket be worn with a kilt to a semi-formal occasion? I figured it could be, but I thought I'd see what everyone else thinks before I go out looking stupid, since I have absolutely no sense in what matches. Thanks.

lukenm,

Take a look at this thread in the "Show us your Pictures" forum:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=22432

It shows a lot of dressy and semi formal kilted outfits for you to get some ideas. (Please don't post anything there unless you are submitting a photo.)

Generally a regular jacket or sportcoat will be too long to wear with a kilt.

There are however threads about how to modify one into a kilt jacket.

Cheers

[McMurdo]

Not a silly question at all,
the problem with a conventional suit jacket is that it is just too long, if you want you could modify a suit jacket, I suggest that you take a look in the DIY section there are many examples there, look for Alan H's posts as well as David Daglish's they really know what they are doing when it comes to this.

[lukenm]

Thanks!

[thescot]

Hey, Luke, a tailor wouldn't charge a lot to cut a jacket down. If you don't have one you want to cut down, do like a lot of guys and go to Goodwill, find a nice jacket that fits (you'll be surprised at the good stuff for 5 or 10 bucks), and show a tailor the instructions. Probably get it done for 40 or 50 bucks easy.

[cacunn]

This may sound like a silly question,

lukenm, especially with this group, there is no such thing as a silly question. However, you might as well expect a lot of silly answers (well intentioned silly answers), but you will be answered.

[Tattoo Bradley]

It's certainly not a "silly question." At least you had the sense to ask and research! There are some pretty silly pictures of people doing things wrong out there...

[Hamish]

As everyone else has stated: yours is not a silly question. It is far better to ask (if you do not know where to look for yourself) than to just go ahead and end up looking ridiculous, as many do!

As we so often say, there are no rules as such, but some things we do just 'look' wrong or a mess if we are not careful.

The point with kilt jackets - any kilt jacket, formal or casual - is that it should be shorter than a (trouser) suit jacket. It should be short enough that it does not impede the movement of the kilt's pleats. In other words, the hem of your jacket should not be lower than the line where the pleats are not sewn down but start to open up - this is technically known as 'the fell'. Some formal jackets, such as the Prince Charlie, are rather shorter than that, apart from their 'tails'. Day-wear jackets, such as tweed Argylls, are cut to about the line I describe, and are cut away quite severaly at the front to accommodate the sporran.

For really casual wear, when you want to wear a jacket, one in the leather 'bomber' style, with elasticated waistband, is just perfect.

There are numerous photos of the various jackets I wear with my kilts in my Photo Album - link below! Ron also has some very good examples of casual jackets in his Album.

[Barb T.]

And, in fact, kilts ride so high because they were originally worn with very short jackets. The "rise" of a kilt (now about 2" above the waist) was to keep a gaposis from forming between the jacket and the kilt (both keeps you warm if there's no gap and keeps your shirt from sticking out in an unsightly bulge. In fact, the original rise was more like 4". With a rise of 4", it would be virtually impossible for a gap to form when you bent over or raised your arms.

B