Advice needed please: Contrasting Waistcoat?

[KD Burke]

Good day all!

I am pleased to report that my kilt has made it stateside. It's currently waiting to clear customs at the FEDEX facility in Memphis, and I expect to have it in my (formerly grubby, freshly scrubbed) little paws by Tuesday!

As I have stated before, I have been amusing myself while in the protracted "jonesing" phase by looking around for suitable accessories. While I will never present the dapper, dashing appearance of a Panache or a McMurdo, I would like to have a number of different "looks" for various occasions.

I recently came across this waistcoat:

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/st..._utmk=87880216

Having read that matching isn't always (or even often, if I understood Jock Scot's posts correctly) required; I thought to myself, if a gentleman owned a particualrly fine silk waistcoat, would he not wear it if the situation warranted? So, I put it to you, how would you react to seeing this under a Black or Navy Blue Argyll jacket?

[McMurdo]

I would say that is a tad too much, I'd also say that the material for the waistcoat should be a tweed or wool, I'm sure others will disagree but that's how I see it. If you were to wear it to my Burns Night however I'd be fine with it.

[KD Burke]

I would say that is a tad too much, I'd also say that the material for the waistcoat should be a tweed or wool, I'm sure others will disagree but that's how I see it. If you were to wear it to my Burns Night however I'd be fine with it.

Perhaps this one then?

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/st..._utmk=87880216

[svc40bt]

I think either one of those would work well with the right outfit. I have considered the second one you linked myself, for wear with my modern Hunting MacLeod kilt. On the other hand I wouldn't wear it with the modern Scott Red kilt I am currently jonesing over. (Well, maybe for the Scottish Christmas Walk if the Reds didn't clash.) Hmm, need to find some red and green diced hose...

[Panache]

Perhaps this one then?

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/st..._utmk=87880216

KD,

I have worn corduroy and cotton waistcoats with my kilts as well as wool ones and think that one can mix fabrics and materials.

That said I just don't find the pattern and style of the firsts set of vests you posted to fit with a kilt. However I see that the second ones might work nicely. It would really depend how long they are in comparison with one's jacket and wear one's sporran rests. If they are too long they would need to be altered to make a good kilt waistcoat

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[davedove]

Perhaps this one then?

http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/st..._utmk=87880216

This is the way I wore this vest:


I have a vest with the other material as well, but I'll have to agree with those who said it might be too much for wear with a kilt. Now, as part of my gambler outfit, it's a different story.

[KD Burke]

The kilt is my major indulgence for this year; but come next spring I may just have to acquire some goodies from the Emporium....perhaps the charcoal gray cutaway coat!

Then again that MacDonald Dress Irish tartan would make a fine second kilt.

Why couldn't I have been born rich instead of.....

Instead of.....

Why couldn't I have been born rich?!

[BroosterB1]

Some will applaude, some sill say nice but not me, others will say "not authentic enough" or not in the "Highland" style. As for me I lke it, but then that's just me. On another thread about red kilts there be a gentlemen wearing a cream colored silk waist coat that while not my cup of tea works for him. That is the key, if it works for you, go for it!

[ghostlight]

My two cents for what it's worth (and someone with more fashion experience than I have please correct me if I'm wrong, I'm still learning):

I think the answer is going to be heavily dependent on the kilt itself (what colors is the kilt? is the kilt wool, pv or something else? is it tartan or solid? is it traditional or contemporary? where will you be wearing the combination?) and the over-all "look" you're trying to put together as a whole outfit.

I like that waistcoat. But it is a very strong garment. It's boldly colored, styled and patterned. It's the type of garment that is normally worn as the focal point of an outfit by itself. I'm not saying it won't work with your kilt...just that the role that particular waistcoat appears to fill is one also frequently occupied by the kilt.

I think knowing whether or not we think they will blend well or clash is going to be pretty dependent on seeing the kilt itself in this case.

[KFCarter]

Yep, you're probing into territory here that is somewhat subjective. Clothing is a form of personal expression so, ultimately, express yourself!! Most of us live and work in environments where, if we were to be too concerned about clothing norms, we wouldn't be wearing kilts at all.
Having said that, I'll follow the example of others and offer an opinion which is just that, AN OPINION:

Tartan kilts are extraordinarily beautiful garments that should be the focal point of an outfit, with the other elements working to complement but never distract from them. I think a contrasting waistcoat could do that, but if you choose one that is a strong statement in an of itself, you're probably going to distract a bit from your kilt.

I think your first choice would distract. Your second would be less distracting, although I would be concerned that the notched lapel of the waistcoast would "jangle" a bit with the lapels of the Argyll jacket you plan to pair it with. END of OPINION

Most importantly, have fun putting together your kit and make sure you love the choices you make and don't just make a choice based on what everyone else thinks.

:ootd: