"Double-duty" tweed?

[ObiSeanKenobi]

You guessed correctly. Sorry!

Haha! Perfectly succinct answer, and about what I expected. Looks like I just need to convince my wife that more kilts and jackets equate to a more versatile wardrobe.

[Father Bill]

Haha! Perfectly succinct answer, and about what I expected. Looks like I just need to convince my wife that more kilts and jackets equate to a more versatile wardrobe.

Get yourself a lightweight, dark or mid-dark tweed with simple cuffs and it will go with pretty well any kilt you purchase in the future, and for all but the most unusually formal events. Good, economical purchase.

[KennethSime]

I own three kilt jackets, and only one of those was purchased new - even that one was on a closeout sale.

Going vintage is a good way to help justify the extra jackets, in my experience. If you search through Etsy, eBay, and perhaps Ministry of Tartan, you can find matching kilt jacket & waistcoat sets for $100-200 pretty regularly.

[OC Richard]

I have seen black Argyll jackets with silver square buttons cut long to wear with trousers. As I recall they were worn by Drum Majors who chose trews.

I'll try to find a photo.

There's long precedence in the military for Highland military jackets cut for trouser-wearing, but with civilian wear my impression is that it's a recent thing.

Of course in Victorian times there are many photos showing men in kilts wearing full-length jackets which presumably the men also wore with their trousers.

[Tomo]

...or you could get some trews - although not sure if I'm allowed to mention them on here

[kingandrew]

First, let me way I love your screen name.

I recall a post a few years ago from one of the younger members of the Rabble. The gentleman in question had bought an off-the-rack tweed jacket at one of the more fashion-conscious mall shops. And since the "skinny everything" fad has been so prevalent of late, the jacket was cut pretty close to the body and rather on the high side. So it was able to straddle that space between pants and kilts. With trousers, it would reveal a bit of one's backside, but that seems to be common with fashionable jackets at the moment. With a kilt, it was a wee bit lower than a traditional argyll, but not too much. I don't recall if it came from Zara or Forever 21 or whatever. But such a creature is likely still out there, if you look about enough.

However, I strongly recommend a good kilt jacket as being completely worthwhile. If you really like your kilt jacket and look smashing in it--well, you'll find yourself opting for the kilt for all sorts of events and you will definitely get your money's worth out of the jacket that way. That's certainly how it's gone for me.

Andrew

[ObiSeanKenobi]

However, I strongly recommend a good kilt jacket as being completely worthwhile. If you really like your kilt jacket and look smashing in it--well, you'll find yourself opting for the kilt for all sorts of events and you will definitely get your money's worth out of the jacket that way. That's certainly how it's gone for me.

This really is the goal, to be honest. I'm hoping to find more opportunities to wear the kilt, and having a broad range of casual and semi-casual outfit options will make that process a lot easier. I rarely attend functions that call for evening wear (maybe once or twice a year), so a PC is a truly unnecessary expense for me, but a tweed jacket and waistcoat would make a suitable outfit for my business casual office, weddings I may attend in the future, etc. The Ike jacket looks like a great casual piece as well.

This has been a truly illuminating conversation! I'm happy to continue to solicit opinions as long as The Rabble cares to provide them.

[Jock Scot]

...or you could get some trews - although not sure if I'm allowed to mention them on here

I was thinking the very same thing about tartan trews and kilt cut jackets. As a matter of interest, I have never seen any criticism on this website of tartan trews being mentioned by anyone.

[Steve Ashton]

Another option would be a short jacket similar to an Eton or Spencer.
The Eton jacket has front buttons and could be cut to be worn closed. It usually has a shawl lapels for a bow tie but nothing says it could not be made with notched lapels and worn with long tie.
The Spencer style is similar but has a faux double breasted look and is not intended to be worn closed although I have seen some that are actually double breasted. Again equal notched lapels for a less tuxedo look.


Think a Prince Charlie Coatee without the tashes.
The problem with the Eton and Spencer styles is that you may not have any trousers cut with a high enough rise.


I personally like the Belgian Chefs Jackets. I have one in barathea with a deep red lining that shows when some top buttons are left undone. But there is nothing saying it could not be made in Tweed.



Looks very classic and is suitable where a tie would normally be appropriate but is not worn with a tie.

Then there is the iconic "Ike" jacket of which there are many variations.



Or the British Battle Dress Jacket that has a shirt like collar an buckled belt at the waist.



Are you catching the hint that I like the shorter jacket styles simply because they work so well with both kilt and trousers?

[Tomo]

I was thinking the very same thing about tartan trews and kilt cut jackets. As a matter of interest, I have never seen any criticism on this website of tartan trews being mentioned by anyone.

I shall have to dig mine out next time I am in the UK.