FIDM Museum c1900 Highland outfit

[Tobus]

I've also seen the watch worn in the breast (hankie) pocket, tethered to the lapel buttonhole with either the chain or a leather strap, as a way to wear the pocket watch with a double-breasted jacket. Although vests were often worn under such jackets at one time (1920s-30s), it would have been tricky to access the vest pockets with the jackets buttoned, which they almost-always were. If you look at the "Jeeves and Wooster" TV show, you will see Bertie Wooster sporting his watch in this manner.

It's quite the coincidence that you mention this, because I was wondering if I was seeing a watch chain in the jacket pocket of this photo of John Brown (posted by OC Richard). It's not a doublet and not a double-breasted jacket, but I would think the same issue might be at play. There's no other pocket accessible for a watch. When I look closely at that photo, I see the chain hanging out of the breast pocket, but I also think I see the T-bar and a pendant or two coming out from behind one of the buttonholes on the front of the doublet. Is it a watch?

[Tarheel]

When I look closely at that photo, I see the chain hanging out of the breast pocket, but I also think I see the T-bar and a pendant or two coming out from behind one of the buttonholes on the front of the doublet. Is it a watch?

I do believe it is a watch. The chain is behind the cross belt, the t-bar is outside of the jacket also. A watch is the logical conclusion (based on the bulge of the pocket).

[McCracken140]

It's not a doublet and not a double-breasted jacket, but I would think the same issue might be at play.

Umm- that definitely is a doublet? Lol
But I agree it does seem to be his watch.

I find it interesting how low the breast pocket is, almost on the centre of his body.

[Tobus]

Umm- that definitely is a doublet? Lol
But I agree it does seem to be his watch.

I find it interesting how low the breast pocket is, almost on the centre of his body.

Typo on my part! That should have read, "it's a doublet and not a double-breasted jacket". My fingers got ahead of my brain.

[OC Richard]

that definitely is a doublet?

Doublets were the most common jacket worn in Highland Dress in the Victorian period. Next would be the Argyll (with versions for Day and Evening) and simple ordinary sack coats such as would be worn with trousers.

Shell jackets were extremely popular with soldiers but are very rarely seen in civilian Highland Dress.

Here's a great photo showing a Victorian civilian doublet. There was an amazing variety of "cuts" but they shared the "Inverness skirts" or "tashes" that define the Doublet



The Argyll jacket



Ordinary sack coat






(PS McMurdo you might want to resize that photo, it's making my screen all cattywumpus.)

[McMurdo]

(PS McMurdo you might want to resize that photo, it's making my screen all cattywumpus.)

I did my part, its smaller.