Argyll Jackets: When is a pattern too much?

[gwynng]

I have been mulling over the purchase of an Argyll jacket. I tend to like ones that are more a Harris tweed look with some texture or pattern. So does an Argyll with a pattern fight with the tartan of a kilt too much?

I am not overly fond of the grey-green or blue-grey Argylls since they bring the Austrian loden coat to mind for me. I have a black Prince Charlie, so think that a black Argyll might be a little redundant.

Thoughts or mixing a patterned tweed with a variety of tartans? Here is an example of the type of jacket I was questioning.

Too much?

[gwynng]

Oh yes, one more question...are UK jacket sizes the same as US? Does a 44 UK correspond to a US 44?

[SlackerDrummer]

Here is an example of the type of jacket I was questioning.

Too much?

I see a URL between two image tags, but I don't see an image.

[SlackerDrummer]

Oh yes, one more question...are UK jacket sizes the same as US? Does a 44 UK correspond to a US 44?

If you wear a US 44, you will likely want a UK 46.

[gwynng]

Try again.

Did this one work? I have the image on my computer, but it could be pulling it from the cache or something.

[SlackerDrummer]

I can't see anything. When I copy and paste the URLs between the image brackets into my browser, the forum (as opposed to my browser) tells me it's an invalid file request.

[Chas]

Hi gwynng,

You can't post direct from your computer; you have to have it hosted on-line somewhere like photobucket.

On to your question - what is too much?





This is a jacket of mine that is brand new, but vintage. 40 Years old, but never worn. The arms are too long for me, but if they weren't, I would wear it.

Regards

Chas

[New World Czech]

You cannot reference images directly from your computer. It must be from a public server site like photobucket. You can copy the photo to an album in your profile and post that way as well.

OK, Chas beat me to it.

[SlackerDrummer]

This is a jacket of mine that is brand new, but vintage. 40 Years old, but never worn. The arms are too long for me, but if they weren't, I would wear it.

Doesn't look too busy to go with my kilt. Too long, you say....

[Tobus]

I can't see your pics either. You'll get them up eventually, though, so I'll skip to the substance.

As to the question of when a pattern is too much, it really depends on the jacket and the tartan of the kilt. Personally, I like a patterned tweed on an Argyll jacket. There are some that can look horrid, or make the wearer look like a caricature, but most of them will be fine. Even the bolder ones.

I posted this photo in another thread recently, but it's my favourite Argyll jacket. I think it works well with all my tartan kilts, though there are some other tartans that it might look silly with.



Here's a photo that was posted by McMurdo a while back. I really dig that jacket, and it works well with the Royal Stewart tartan:



It will all come down to personal style and personal boldness. I think the more you wear Highland attire, the less timid you become with patterns and colours. That's certainly been the case for me, anyway. But when it comes to mixing an Argyll pattern with a tartan, you just have to consider whether you want it to complement the tartan or contrast it. Mine above seems to complement dark tartans in blues and greens. I'm wearing it with a pseudo Black Watch tartan, but it works well with my Colquhoun tartan kilts too. But you can see McMurdo's jacket doesn't really blend at all with the Royal Stewart tartan. But it creates a nice contrast.

Wearing a bold patterned jacket is really a statement of personal style.