Safari/Photographer Vest as "Summer Casual" Outerwear?

[John McQuillen]

This would apply mainly to people in the warmer climes and is certainly not THCD; but, aesthetically, what do you think of a vest like this as warm-weather "very casual" outerwear with a kilt?

Some examples:

http://www.bestvests.com/safari-travel-vest

http://www.tacticaldistributors.com/taclite-pro-vest-1 (I have two of these, one in khaki and one in sage green)

http://www.walkabout.com/shop/wsv.asp

The length on this kind of thing is typically about what you'd have with a Argyle jacket or a bit less; so considered purely in terms of length it's certainly kilt-worthy.

Last week I picked up one of these, as it's a bit different from the usual with the banded collar and suede trim:

http://jlpowell.com/okavango-vest-dark-olive-l-10991

Wore it for the first time yesterday out and about -- with a khaki shirt and jeans -- with my SO. Today, however, I wore it with a kilt, and asked her what she thought. She felt it was perfect for our intentions for the day: A casual brunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a lakeside hike. She also commented, "It looks good with the kilt: Very casual, not as 'stuffy' as your usual look, but still classy".

Does anyone else wear this sort of thing with the kilt in summertime or otherwise-hot weather?

Frequently in hot weather being 'down under' but not the sort of thing I'd wear with a kilt and don't recall seeing anyone wear one at highland games etc but someone must have at some point. As usual I think its a matter of personal style. I do own a similar style of vest (well its a proper tactical one rather than the safari type) but I only wear it on the shooting range sometimes.....

I'm sure theres room in the world for a kind of kilted safari look though......different is interesting, interesting is good!

[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.