Kilt Jackets -new unconventional source

**MacCathmhaoil** · 20th December 12, 04:55 PM

I've begun to notice some of the trendier (read younger) men's stores here in Toronto are carrying tweed jackets cut in what the label defines as "Skinny"style. The jackets are cut much shorter and more fitted than a traditional men's jacket or sportcoat, in fact they are the perfect cut for kilt wear. The Hudson's Bay Company store here has a boutique brand called Topshop/Topman with lots of British inspired tweeds all sold as separates so you can in many cases grab boh a jacket and matching tweed waistcoat for a rather reasonable price right now especially with the sales.

Any one else notice the trend to the more kilt friendlier cut in fashion at the moment?

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 20th December 12, 05:43 PM

I did a google search for topman and found their web site, showing some of their Harris Tweed sport coats. Here's some pics.

I definitely think there is a possibility of wearing these with kilts. Look at how the bottom of the jacket comes to just about level with the cuffs of the sleeves. On most typical men's sport coats, the length of the jacket extends for several inches below the sleeve cuff, as evidenced by, oh... just about any product image you can find, or the sport coats in your own closet.

This is why normal sport coats don't look right when worn with the kilt. They are too long, and cover too much of the kilt.

Now, there is no set in stone length for kilt jackets, but they typically end somewhat above the cuff of the sleeve. Though some do approach that length. Looking back through my own pictures of me in different kilt jackets I have owned shows some variety.

My formal Argyle is almost as long as my sleeves.

My tropical linen kilt jacket is a few inches shorter.

My Harris tweed argyle jacket in this photo is a good bit shorter than my sleeves, but if you notice the brown Argyle jacket worn by Brian Wilton on my right (left in the pic), his jacket is actually slightly longer than his sleeves.

The longest kilt jacket I own is this Harris Tweed one, which is made with two buttons. The sleeves on this one are also longer than on my others, which is why the jacket length still looks shorter than the sleeve length. However, looking at where the jacket falls on my kilt, I would think these Topman jackets would fall about the same place.

So I see no reason why these Topman jackets would not work just fine as a more casual dress approach to kilt wear. Of course the proof will be in the pudding. Let's see some photos of you wearing one with your kilt!

**plaid preacher** · 20th December 12, 06:58 PM

McCathmhaoil, I was in the Bay a while ago and saw these too ; and the prices are fairly reasonable. But I would echo your cautionary note. I tried on of these on and you do want to have a sleak physique. I tried one on and found that it was quite right for those of us with a little extra padding. There were we several different labels all with a shorter skirt. So there do seem to be a trend in men's fashion at the moment.

Did you happen to wander down to future lower level? There is a mannequin done up in full Scottish regalia... with... you guessed it .... the kilt on backwards!

**MacCathmhaoil** · 20th December 12, 08:09 PM

Which of the Bay stores had the Highlander? If it was the Queen and Yonge location I must be blind because I've been in there 5-6 times in the last two weeks of wallet emptying, er sorry Christmas shopping.

I tried on a couple of tweed jackets at my girlfriends direction...... I expect there may be one under the tree one morning next week. They even had some velvet jackets as well that would work well for a dressier affairs. I may take a look at a blue velvet one when I'm there next.....

**MacCathmhaoil** · 20th December 12, 08:45 PM

By the way that first jacket that Matt posted the photo of, the one with the four button flap pockets, has a style not unlike some of those shown in the old photos of the Victorian's.

**English Bloke** · 21st December 12, 05:50 AM

Nice jackets. I think they probably would work with a Kilt but they are retailing here at £150 a pop with an extra £50 if you want the waistcoat. I suspect you could find a decent off the peg tweed jacket and waistcoat with a proper kilt cut for that kind of money.

**Tobus** · 21st December 12, 06:26 AM

These do look like nice jackets, and I especially like the one with patch pockets. The double breast pockets with flaps are a nice touch. I could definitely see myself wearing one of those - with waistcoat - for all types of occasions. But mainly with trousers, not a kilt.

In looking back at my own photos of my own tweed kilt jackets (three of them, all 1960s-1970s vintage made-in-Scotland true kilt jackets), every single one of them is several inches shorter than the sleeves. A person could probably squeak by wearing one of these Topman jackets for both trousered and kilted wear if they were trying to make-do with a single all-purpose jacket, but IMHO it would not really be the ideal kilt jacket. Especially for the price. It's definitely an improvement over trying to wear a full-length sport coat, but I think it still doesn't quite make the cut as a kilt jacket. With the length at the cuff, it's going to be well below the fell of the kilt and throw off one's body proportions. But then again, these types of details may not matter to everyone.

Personally, if I were looking to spend £200 on a new jacket/waistcoat, I'd probably just go to eBay and buy myself separate (pre-owned) ensembles for trousers and kilts.

*edited to add: Do these Topman jackets have side vents or a center rear vent?

**SlackerDrummer** · 21st December 12, 08:08 AM

One of their velvet blazers would lend itself to a very cost-effective, unique formal outfit. Too bad they don't come in long.

Originally Posted by Tobus

Do these Topman jackets have side vents or a center rear vent?

It varies. See blazer selection.

**CMcG** · 21st December 12, 11:40 AM

Some of those could definitely work and other retailers will have them at different price points. In fact, I've suggested this idea before

The better choice for a kilt would be the ones whose bodies are shorter than their arms (as Matt suggested), but even the ones where they are about even could be OK, depending on one's body shape. The sleeves/body of this type of jacket are meant to fit shorter than the average North American suit jacket.

**freddie** · 22nd December 12, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by plaid preacher

McCathmhaoil, I was in the Bay a while ago and saw these too ; and the prices are fairly reasonable. But I would echo your cautionary note. I tried on of these on and you do want to have a sleak physique. I tried one on and found that it was quite right for those of us with a little extra padding. There were we several different labels all with a shorter skirt. So there do seem to be a trend in men's fashion at the moment.

Did you happen to wander down to future lower level? There is a mannequin done up in full Scottish regalia... with... you guessed it .... the kilt on backwards!

I was over in Toronto a couple of weeks ago and I saw that mannequin, but it just seemed to have a piece of tartan cloth wrapped around it's waist. I bought some really nice Royal Stewart tartan Christmas cards from there.