That little chain thingy

[Freelander Sporrano]

I 've seen in some pictures that there, in some cases is a lttle chain which joins the upper buttons across the front on some dress kilt jackets.

I have seen them on some "Brian Boru" Irish jackets. Is it just an Irish thing or is it for use with the Prince charlie aswell

Cheers.... David

[macwilkin]

I know what you're referring to, Freelander, but I'll have to consult wi' my friend the "clothes-horse" for the "proper" term for it. I have never seen one on a charlie, only on a "captain's" jacket, or a short formal jacket similar to military "mess dress".

I wear a pocket watch with my formal wear, and the watch chain accross my vest is quite striking, IMHO!

Cheers!

T.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Thank-you.
I know you'll find the answer to this one.I'm stumped

David

[Hamish]

Hi David,

I have heard that the "little chain thingy" is used as an accessory to hold things together when a little too much weight has been acquired by the jacket's wearer!

It's less expensive than investing in a new jacket!!

However, that's not to deny that there might be a decorative reason for it on some jackets - although I have never seen it on a Prince Charlie (where the jacket remains undone anyway!)

Good luck in your search for info.

[Casey]

Hamish,

I thought that's what it was, too. The other place I've seen it is on the leather vest of rather portly bikers.

Casey

[bikercelt1]

Bikers aren't "portly", they're merely stocking up for the famine to come. Can't be too well prepared you know! Vest extenders for bikers originated when they wore their "colors" (vest or waistcoat with club emblem on the back)over a jacket and couldn't fasten it down to keep it from flapping. It does indeed have the function of making an out-grown vest fit, but I see guys buy a brand new vest and put extenders on it because it is so commonplace that the vest doesn't look right to them without the decorative chains attached. I don't know if this is relative to the Brian Boru jacket or not, but it's an interesting theory.

Jamie

[Freelander Sporrano]

Hamish ,Casey, and bikercelt1

Thanks for the insight I hadn't thought that it was an extender.These models you see wearing kilts on the net never look that portly.

I can see its usfulness. I think maybe that it has gone over to the Brian Boru as a decoration.However this is just my theory ....Unless anyone else can shed any futher light on the subject

[Vince]

I'll don't know if that chain was intended for the portly, but in the Navy, it was a requried part of the dinner dress uniform, regardless of girth.

[Freelander Sporrano]

Has it got a special name...Vince

The plot thickens

[Vince]

Has it got a special name...Vince

The plot thickens

Well, unfortunately they were just called gold linked buttons. They came as a set and the chain didn't have its own name.