Kilkenny Jacket & Vest

[Tobus]

In the days when a man did not go out of doors without a jacket you would button your jacket anytime you were standing. You would unbutton it when sitting.

But today most jackets when worn with a vest are left unbuttoned so you do not hide your pocket watch chain and fob.

Today it is personal preference. But with a two button jacket you only button the top button. A three button jacket you button the middle button and sometimes the top. But never the bottom on either.

These guidelines may be common to so-called Saxon dress protocols, but I don't think they apply at all to Highland traditions. When I look at portraits and photos dating all the way back to the 1800s (i.e. when men generally did not go out-of-doors without a jacket), the majority of the Highland kilted examples have their jackets completely open at the front.

For example:



Very few of them buttoned their jackets, and of those who did, the number of buttons used varied. There was a period where jacket styles had shorter lapels and would only be buttoned at the top, high up on the chest just under the neck, with the bottom draped open.

Examples:



And then again, some preferred to completely button their jackets, even including the bottom button.

Examples:



I guess my point is that Highlanders have never followed this "always button your jacket when standing" rule, or any other rules concerning which buttons should be used or not used.