Advice, suggestions, etc.

[MacRobert's Reply]

I actually prefer waistcoats that do not match. Here at my eldest daughter's wedding.

[dea3369]

Otherwise, no waistcoat.

Hmmm. Interesting. In this case, would color of shirt and tie become "critical"? I mean, without a waistcoat, obviously the shirt and tie would show more. So, other "rules" kick in, such as light-colored shirts only and solid-color tie that matches one stripe on the kilt. Yea or nay?

[dea3369]

I picked up a very fine sport coat of Harris Tweed today at a thrift store for 10 bucks. A friend has offered to alter it for a wedding next Saturday. Here's where you guys come in. I prefer the look of these jackets with a waistcoat. The problem is, finding a waistcoat to match the tweed of the coat. Have you guys got any suggestions or optional looks I might try? I'll probably wear a white button up dress shirt and lovat green or dark blue hose with it.

Any ideas would be much appreciated. Pics would help, too.

Thanks, Kris

BTW, Kris. I'm jealous of your find. A coat for $10? You can't shake a stick at that deal!

[MacMillans son]

I suppose I am living dangerously, then!


Seriously, though, I have never seen a gentleman wearing a tartan waistcoat, either evening or day wear, and thought to myself "that is way too much tartan!" So I think it would look fine.

However, if the OP needs it within a week, a custom tartan waistcoat is not going to happen, so I vote for a complementary colored solid waistcoat, assuming such is available in his time frame. Otherwise, no waistcoat.

Ya, what he said! (I cropped out the other fellow as he is known to corrupt the fashion sense of many here )



Some feedback for converted jackets: I prefer the jacket to be a little bit too long rather than to have the pockets 2" from the hem. Another pet peeve is an angular cut away for the sporran vs. a nice radiused one, and/ or a cut away that is too dramatic. Given that the jacket is worn open anyway, an overly dramatic cut away is completely unnecessary. Have a great time at your event, you've received enough feedback here that what ever your choice, I am sure you will look fine.

[AJBryant]

I suppose I am living dangerously, then!

Matt, I *love* that waistcoat. I have a particular weakness for ones with lapels. I don't know why.

But that is spectacular.

[CMcG]

I sometimes wear my eBay-purchased, lovat green, Harris Tweed jacket with black, thrift store, waistcoat because the tweed jacket didn't come with a vest. It is preferable to find a colour that either complements or contrasts because trying to match is unlikely to work.



I have also been known to wear a tartan vest with tweed jacket... on Tartan Day

[Chas]

I have found that keeping all the accessories within a broad colourway is safe.

With my Flower of Scotland kilt - green. Bottle green hose, mint green shirt, hunter green waistcoat, bright green woollen jacket or mid green marl tweed jacket and lastly any one of four green ties.

Likewise with my RAF tartan kilt - blue. Navy or light blue hose, light blue shirt, navy blue waistcoat, dark blue jacket and RAF or bright blue tie.

The thing is, that nothing matches - but it all matches because it is the same colourway.

And there lies safety - I don't have any "Godfather" clothes. As in "God, father - you're not wearing that, are you?"

Regards

Chas

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Hmmm. Interesting. In this case, would color of shirt and tie become "critical"? I mean, without a waistcoat, obviously the shirt and tie would show more. So, other "rules" kick in, such as light-colored shirts only and solid-color tie that matches one stripe on the kilt. Yea or nay?

Well, a white shirt is always appropriate for such events, so that's an easy one. And as for a tie, a solid colored tie which matched one of the stripes of the tartan would look good, certainly, but I would not call this a "rule" one must follow. These are all manner of ties which might look good, solid or patterned. My advice would be not to over think it.