Safari/Photographer Vest as "Summer Casual" Outerwear?

[Joshua]

I may have to wear mine out for the next celtic festival here in Florida. I don't think mine has left the closet since I did IDPA... was sick of folks asking me if I was going fishing, or was a professional photog.

[CMcG]

To me, those type of vests are all about the practicality and not so much about the aesthetic appeal. It's not that they look bad per se, rather they just seem to look like they prioritize function over form.

That being said, Seago Sensei tends to have good taste, so I'll reserve my judgment until I've seen pics of that type of vest worn with a kilt.

[Panache]

I have such a vest and have worn it with a kilt. They are very practical.

Cheers

Jamie

[Riverkilt]

I got the idea from this ad.



I like the look - showing more tartan up front - and I like the convenience of a vest with lots of pockets in lieu of a sporran. I'd rather carry my "stuff" from my shoulders when day hiking.

I like the Scottevests because they have so many pockets. The length is more than I'd like but they don't seem interested in manufacturing a shorter "kilt vest." I like them so much I've acquired one of each color they make to go with more tartans.





Have a Filson travel vest I really like. One pocket is large enough to hide my big digital Rebel camera so I don't look so touristy - and for when I'm in an area of Indian Country where pictures aren't supposed to be taken.



And you CAN wear a sporran too if ya wanna....



Also have an Orvis leather vest I like a lot for hiking in cooler weather.



I've looked at photographer's vests and safari vests but haven't bought either yet.

Even have a biker vest that's much more fun comfortable on the river than a sporran would be.



I do really really really like vests with a lot of pockets with kilts - for the convenience, the comfort, and for the look - though I wish someone would delve into the waiting niche market of travel vests cut a bit shorter for wearing with kilts.

[Dale Seago]

I'm sure theres room in the world for a kind of kilted safari look though......

Well, we'll see in a couple of weeks. Two weeks from tomorrow, June 5th, my workplace is shutting down entirely and all staff are being taken out for a "fun day" up north: Lunch at Camp Newman up in Santa Rosa, followed by the rest of the day at nearby Safari West. I'm thinking the "Okavango Vest" would be a good pairing with a Douglas Weathered kilt. . .

I do really really really like vests with a lot of pockets with kilts - for the convenience, the comfort, and for the look - though I wish someone would delve into the waiting niche market of travel vests cut a bit shorter for wearing with kilts.

Well, until then, this



looks like a great solution, as fishing or "wading vests" (and jackets) are typically cut a bit shorter. I think that ad photo you posted looks fantastic!! I think the Scottevests look quite decent, though, particularly worn unzipped, as they're no longer than an Argyle jacket. It's a matter of mindset: If you're thinking of it as a sleeveless jacket -- outerwear -- rather than as a differently-cut waistcoat, often worn under a jacket -- then I think it works well.

[auld argonian]

I bought one of those things in a fit of photographic enthusiasm and the only time that it ever came in handy was when I was a new dad traveling with infant children...you could fir several disposable diapers in those cargo pockets and wipes and baby bottles fit nicely in the pockets designed for carrying lenses. Sorry, but it became very clear to me that these vests were certifiable nerd-wear and I had to quit wearing one. I have simply worn a regular fishing vest when I've gone out on "light" assignments and carried four compact 35mm cameras....actually a very good way to work sometimes.

The joke being that I very rarely wear the regular fishing vest when I'm fishing anymore...again, been down to de river when the crowd that just got out of Orvis with their brand new outfits showed up and didn't want to look like "one of them"....have to cultivate that trout-bum/I'm-one-of-the-locals look...got to the point where I know what I need to carry and don't need fifteen pockets full of stuff for every possible eventuality.

...but as Al Czervik sez in Caddyshack, "...oh...but it looks good on YOU though ."

Best

AA

[cruiser348]

I've worn one of the wading style vests many times when hiking. I can't stand the idea of a sporran thumping in front of me as I'm trying to scramble up a hill, or as was the case a couple of weeks ago jumping across a section of a partially washed out bridge.
Heck, now that I've seen the idea has received Jock's seal of approval I may take it beyond the woods.

[masonpiper]

I regularly wear one at TTITD (and every other time I visit the Black Rock or any of the great outdoor venues in Northern Nevada) and carry it in my car. It is my survival “bag”. I also have a ScottE Vest that I picked up at a thrift store and wear ala RiverKilt. The both go well with a kilt, but I wear them for the use, got the look

[fluter]

In a word, "yes."

LeedsCastle-K by arcturus1997, on Flickr
I favor the photographer's version for its multitude of pockets.

[ForresterModern]

I picked a couple up at an Eddie Bauer Outlet store for a song and typically use them for travelling on airlines. You can stuff the pockets with all your metal gear and electronics and anything else the TSA might ask you to take out of your pockets (basically everything with those new whole body scanners), and all you have to do is take it off and throw in in a bin and then pick it up on the other side of the xray machine and put it back on. Good to go. Cell phones, MP3 players, pocket cameras, wallet, keys, pagers, change. chapstick, eyedrops, medications, pens, a good book, snacks--you can even toss your watch in one pocket.

They are also nice for light hiking where you don't really want to carry a backpack but do need to carry "stuff" (like a tired 4 year old). I have a couple shorties as well for fly fishing that stay loaded with all my gear and flyboxes, although those are a wee bit more specialized for fishing. Years ago I bought one with the intent on using it for photography, until I discovered that all those lenses and flashes and batteries and other accessories are pretty darn heavy, and I did not really like them banging around on my torso and each other every time I moved around, so I devolved back to a snug but plush and roomy fanny pack specifically designed for photography, and got more judicious about what I kept in it and what stayed in the bigger backpack to be available for those special occasions.

I see no reason why they should not be worn with the kilt, tartan or no, in the appropriate settings.