Old Balmoral Doublet

**MacRobert's Reply** · 28th March 13, 10:18 AM

Passing the St Columba’s Hospice charity shop in Stockbridge, Edinburgh, yesterday, my wife spotted a book that she thought I would like. At only £1 … a bargain. As I went into the shop to pay, one of the assistants was manhandling a kilted manikin into the window. The dummy was wearing a Balmoral doublet in archer green barathea with ‘gold’ buttons. Having just got it into the window, I felt a bit guilty asking them if I could try it on for size. It fitted rather well so I asked for the price. A mere £25. Now I don’t need another doublet as I already have a velvet Sheriffmuir and there is a seldom-worn PC in the wardrobe… and an old Montrose somewhere in the house … but at that price I reasoned that I could sell it on to a member of the rabble if I decided it was a doublet too far… and I do need to sell the old Montrose that neither I nor my son are likely to wear. And the Hospice does such good work.

So now I own a Balmoral Doublet made in 1960 by Stewart Christie of Edinburgh… a rather fine tailor. It has one gold button missing but, if I keep it, I will probably change the buttons for silver or perhaps black. There is also one small moth hole but this is invisible inside the jacket. The collar is unformed and hangs open naturally. It should work with a bow tie, cravat or jabot.

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As I was buying the doublet, a woman was next to me buying a pair of lightly-worn size 10 Cromwells (highland brogues with ‘silver’ buckles) for £10! There was still a jabot shirt and kilt in the window when I left!

**artificer** · 28th March 13, 10:21 AM

My Goodness, that was quite a score, congratulations!

What is the size of your Montrose? if it fits me I'd be pleased to relieve you of your overabundance of doublet

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