Tossing it out there

[Iolaus]

I'm in the same boat. I have a wedding to go to in June and I have nothing to wear. I am not in the wedding party, but I was specifically asked by the bride to wear my kilt.

I'd like to dress it up a bit more than just a dress shirt, but I dont want nor need anything as formal as a PC or Argyle. Just a nice simple, kilt compatible sport coat.

I bought a coat with patch pockets from Old Navy for $40, and took it over to the tailor in Westminster Mall to have it altered. She was going to charge me $135 to remove the pockets, move the flaps, and re-contour the bottom edge! Needless to say, I still have the jacket in original form.

[MacMullen]

Iolaus et al, PM me if you need someone to do alterations cheap. My wife grudgingly does alterations for friends, and my mom is actually in the business of doing alterations professionally. We keep giving her a hard time for working as cheaply as she does.

[Riverkilt]

Ya know, Jerry at What Price Glory gets his replica War 2 jackets made in Pakistan...where he gets the kilts made too. Wonder if he'd be up for that. Think he also sells a replica "kilt cut" Scottish Military jacket, but its just that.

Steve, you tease us on multiple fronts my friend. Sopping up the drool from my keyboard.

Ron

[JimB]

I have seen posts here about modifying an existing jacket, but I can't find second hand ones with patch pockets (I did buy a slash pocket one, and agree that once modified it will look bad). More importantly I don't trust my sewing ability.

I know what you're saying. I couldn't find one with patch pockets either so I took what was available. I found a charcoal tweed with slash pockets (with small flaps that covers the slashes) and I modified it.
Believe me this was a lot easier than you think. I figured out where to cut it, hemed it, and used the little flaps from the pockets to make epaulettes. To cover the slashes I used some of the material from the cut off section and made my own small patch pockets. I cut off the buttons and put on some celtic knot buttons that I found in a fabric store.
I haven't posted a picture yet because I wanted to show it with the kilt I'm working on. Believe me you CAN do this. Tweed is very forgiving. It hides stitches very well. Just take your time. Up until now my total sewing experience has been sewing on buttons that have fallen off. This is easier than you think if you just take your time and it is definitely worth the effort. The thrift stores are full of sport coats and you can definitely find one that will convert nicely.
The jacket cost me $10 and a couple of saturdays. Oh, yeah, and throw in another $5 for buttons.

When this kilt is done, I'll be cruising the thrift stores for a black jacket.

[Alan H]

I know what you're saying. I couldn't find one with patch pockets either so I took what was available. I found a charcoal tweed with slash pockets (with small flaps that covers the slashes) and I modified it.
Believe me this was a lot easier than you think. I figured out where to cut it, hemed it, and used the little flaps from the pockets to make epaulettes. To cover the slashes I used some of the material from the cut off section and made my own small patch pockets. I cut off the buttons and put on some celtic knot buttons that I found in a fabric store.
I haven't posted a picture yet because I wanted to show it with the kilt I'm working on. Believe me you CAN do this. Tweed is very forgiving. It hides stitches very well. Just take your time. Up until now my total sewing experience has been sewing on buttons that have fallen off. This is easier than you think if you just take your time and it is definitely worth the effort. The thrift stores are full of sport coats and you can definitely find one that will convert nicely.
The jacket cost me $10 and a couple of saturdays. Oh, yeah, and throw in another $5 for buttons.

When this kilt is done, I'll be cruising the thrift stores for a black jacket.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! You CAN do this. Cruise the thrift shops and garage sales and you'll find something in time. If you simply cannot find one with twin back vents, buy one with a center vent and close it and don't worry about it. The two back vents are better than non-vented, but I've seen perfectly aceptable closed kilt jackets, so don't stress on it..

Now if Steve creates a really good looking and affordable kilt sport coat, whoooaaahhh. Steve you'll sell these things like they're ..like....words escape me.

[Sciuropterus]

A plain kilt jacket could end up costing as much as an Argyle, because of the smaller production quantities keeping the price high.

As I see it, there are three options for a plain jacket:

Tailor a jacket from scratch (expensive, but best chance of good fit)

Buy a commercially produced plain jacket (limited selection as far as sizes/fabric, not very good prices)

Modify an existing jacket (cheapest, but results can vary, issues with pockets and lapels.)

No easy answer on this one!

Here is a prototype I had patterned and sewn a while back, made by a commercial blazer manufacturer in California. Unfortunately, unless you get 1000 made, they ain't cheap, especially if you want a wool-blend.

[Colin]

Guys, if all else fails, check out westcoastkilts.com. Robert lists a kilt jacket cut away as $80 cdn. Not a bad deal if you have a jacket sitting around, or if you can find a good deal. http://www.westcoastkilts.com/ordering.php

[slohairt]

Dia Dhuit, Kilties!

I am in the final stages of getting a kilt business up and running after years of making them for friends and such. I am quite tired of working for other people and would like to use my last available skill to try and make money for my family (art and music have unfortunately failed! ha!)
Anyhow, I digress! I AM able to successfully alter most jackets into kilt jackets and have done so for years. I am considering including in my future product line a Crail Jacket & Vest combo as well as a Montrose-style Doublet (both will be in black polyester with round celtic pewter or black buttons).
So tell me, lads, do you think there is enough of a market for affordable jackets and doublets or should I not bother?

Is mise le meas,

Seán Liosliath Ó hAirt