Scottish-made kilt jackets under $100

[jsrnephdoc]

Personally I would first look at tweeds that contrast and coordinate with the kilt rather than match it.

Here's a quick collage of Glen Affric with four different jacket colours, this confirms that blue works well, really coordinating with the yellow. From this lineup I'd go with the Lomond Blue, though in truth all of them work fine.

Just to be sure: I think "Lomond" blue is the darker of the two. Here in "Amurica," I'm concerned that were I to show up at an event attired in those colors, the more frequently asked question than "isn't that a REALLY old tartan" would be "when did you graduate from Clemson, and are you going to their next football game?"

I still like the windowpane tans, because in a way they merge the red and yellow in the tartan, and while blue wasn't even on my radar, I can certainly see how it would work. I already have a highland green tweed jacket, so that gives me an option as well if I decide not to splurge on a new jacket. But, assuming that eventually I acquire a Robertson Red (white line) kilt, the darker blue would probably work with IT, too.

Now, REALLY going into the weeds, I'm told (haven't checked myself, yet) that House of Edgar weaves Glen Affric on BOTH single and double width looms. The former would obviously be more expensive; I'm also told that in single width, it's woven with traditional "herringbone" selvedge. While that might have some historical significance, I can't imagine that anyone on the planet, even the most adventuresome and naughty person peeking UNDER the kilt, would have a clue about that.

But I had to ask…

[jsrnephdoc]

It takes a while! The first Pipe Band I played in, in the 1970s, wore that full kit for performances and we got pretty efficient at getting dressed.

Here's an ex-Scots Guards piper demonstrating the Scots Guards method of putting on the plaid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1XGDB8EtNI&t=10s

I just watched that video. Almost impossible to imagine that this evolved from just trying to survive the night among one's sheep in the highlands wrapped up in a blanket derived what the sheep wore genetically!

[OC Richard]

What I overlooked in my Glen Affric lineup is House Of Edgar's tweed colour "Peat" a lovely deep brown.

Overlooked because I had momentarily forgot that in coordinating kilt and jacket it's most striking to contrast both colour and value.

So, an overall light-toned kilt is going to go best with a dark-toned jacket, and visa versa.

So here's HoE's "peat" and the deservedly popular "Lomond Blue"

[PiperPadre]

I agree. A darker brown is the winner. The only caveat is the summer weather at many US Highland Games which makes darker jackets inconvenient.

[OC Richard]

I just watched that video.

Almost impossible to imagine that this evolved from just trying to survive the night wrapped up in a blanket...

If you see the evolution of the plaid over 300 years it sort of makes sense.

Top left: early 18th century, the plaid loosely draped. You can see why outsiders sometimes described the Highlanders as being attired in ancient Roman garb.

Top right: mid-19th century, the plaid has come to be wrapped around the torso, often loosely and without being pinned, by civilians.

Bottom left: in the Victorian military the plaid was pinned with a brooch, though wrapped somewhat haphazardly.

Bottom right: by the mid 20th century the pleats are being pressed, and stitched in place, here with the Gordons matching the yellow stripes on the pleats of their kilts.

[jsrnephdoc]

I agree. A darker brown is the winner. The only caveat is the summer weather at many US Highland Games which makes darker jackets inconvenient.

"Inconvenient?"

I just drove my spouse to the Las Vegas airport. 116°F when I dropped her off at her terminal. But, as I returned to the frozen north of town, the temperature plunged (all the way down to 109°F by the time I entered our garage. One reason to invest in a matching waistcoat, to have something to contrast with the kilt when it's just TOO DAMNED HOT to wear a jacket.

I see the Lomond Blue growing on me. Of course, here in 'Vegas it will remind many of "Blue Man Group" on the strip more than it will highlands peat bogs.

[PiperPadre]

"Inconvenient?"

I just drove my spouse to the Las Vegas airport. 116°F when I dropped her off at her terminal. But, as I returned to the frozen north of town, the temperature plunged (all the way down to 109°F by the time I entered our garage. One reason to invest in a matching waistcoat, to have something to contrast with the kilt when it's just TOO DAMNED HOT to wear a jacket.

I see the Lomond Blue growing on me. Of course, here in 'Vegas it will remind many of "Blue Man Group" on the strip more than it will highlands peat bogs.

Even the trees must be looking for shade there.

You may want to consider a linen jacket and waistcoat. I've got one in light brown with a subtle Prince of Wales pattern that goes nicely with any of my kilts. If it wrinkles (and it always does), trowing a couple of ice cubes along with in the dryer for 8-10 minutes takes care of it.

[jsrnephdoc]

Even the trees must be looking for shade there.

You may want to consider a linen jacket and waistcoat. I've got one in light brown with a subtle Prince of Wales pattern that goes nicely with any of my kilts. If it wrinkles (and it always does), trowing a couple of ice cubes along with in the dryer for 8-10 minutes takes care of it.

The last time I had a linen jacket was decades ago. Now, with good care, I might be able to keep its wrinkles fewer and smaller than those on my skin. But I'd never heard of that dryer trick. I assume it includes some amount of heat. Just a little, or a lot?

Would that work better than a portable steamer?

[PiperPadre]

The last time I had a linen jacket was decades ago. Now, with good care, I might be able to keep its wrinkles fewer and smaller than those on my skin. But I'd never heard of that dryer trick. I assume it includes some amount of heat. Just a little, or a lot?

Would that work better than a portable steamer?

I've never used a portable steamer.

I throw it all in on medium for 8-10 minutes. Also, my jacket and waistcoat are not pure linen, but a blend of linen and wool and are extremely lightweight and cool.

[OC Richard]

I agree. A darker brown is the winner. The only caveat is the summer weather at many US Highland Games which makes darker jackets inconvenient.

Yes, and often too hot for jackets of any kind.

I end up wearing a waistcoat (I have to have my pockets!)

It's actually not that common to have a US Southwest Highland Games cool enough to wear a jacket all day, but it does happen.