What kind of Jacket/Waistcoat needed?

[MacLowlife]

OC, you have just revealed something important- probably so important that it is obvious to the rest. White hose set off Ghillie brogues. No wonder they are so popular.

The vogue for black hose seems to me to mirror the vogue for all things black- black labels on groceries, head-to-toe black outfits, etc. When I was a lad, black was really not that cool- black was the color of cop cars and bad guys' hats. And bad guys were not necessarily as cool as the last 25 years have made them. Over on another forum, I remember reading that black guitars were not cool at all in the 60s and 70s.

We have Darth MacVader among others, to thank for the change, I suppose. I saw a football team (American) on TV the other night, dressed in black jerseys, black pants, and black socks. They looked menacing and cool. Somehow, menacing and cool have become more desirable in the last half of the 20th century and the dawning of the 21st.

I liked the reference to burned sticks in the post above. I think dark socks or hose tend to make one's legs look even pastier above them. And I have said too many times that dark hose remind me of a gentleman who has just removed his trousers. I prefer something more obviously intended to be seen, something specifically for kiltwear.

But even I know the best advice of all was "See what your wife thinks".

[ChubRock]

After further review and much consideration, I believe I have many options:

a) I can take an existing tweed sport coat that I have and have it altered 'kilt style.' Then I need to find a complimentary waistcoat that doesn't have to match exactly, but needs to coordinate with my MacLellan Ancient as well as the tweed. Not a bad option, and probably the least expensive.
Jacket#1

Jacket#2




b) Shop online or at local thrift stores to find a different tweed jacket or even charcoal/black suit coat and have it altered, as well as find a coordinating waistcoat.


c) Purchase a 3-piece suit with waistcoat and alter the jacket as well as change the buttons on both pieces.



d) Buy an actual kilt jacket and matching waistcoat, spend the money and have something that will last some time.

My conclusions and questions:
I just wonder if a nice wool black suit jacket altered for kilt wearing along with a matching vest is a good direction.

Otherwise, the suggested grey wool coat and coordinating vest would be ok as well.


I really appreciate the many comments and suggestions from the XMTS fellowship. I am sorry to be bothersome and so full of questions. From all that I know, this is the BEST forum to ask these questions.I hope that in the future this thread will serve others as well.

Cliff

[MacLowlife]

Thanks for nudging this thread back onto the track and for letting us watch you refine your decision process. I think either of the jackets you show above would make fine kilt jackets. Someone has pointed out that two vents seem to work better when shortening. I would use that as a decision maker, but you can make a single vent jacket work easily enough.

A black waistcoat would look good with either jacket, as would a charcoal one. It is a good time to buy a waistcoat / vest in the greater marketplace right now, as shown by many references to Target vests in these pages.

Something you might consider is moleskin. Black moleskin ( either for a jacket or vest or both) can look dressy or country-casual depending on what you wear it with- and it also seems to be enjoying a little bit of popularity. It is cheaper than velvet, but looks close to it and it is sturdy. It is also a little cooler than wool, if you want year round (or indoor) versatility.

Unless you just stumble on a 3 piece charcoal suit with ruined trousers, I wouldn't go looking for one. They tend to charge a lot for those britches that you won't be needing...

[McMurdo]

Chub Rock
I'm honoured that you would use a photo of me. I would say if you can not find a kilt jacket then a conversion may well be the ticket here. I would definitely wear a jacket to the function. Please convey my congratulations to your wife. By the way the jacket I'm wearing in that photo is from Hector Russell and was an ex rental, perhaps you could find something similar.

As for hose I'd go for a pair that pick up one of the colours of your tartan.

[WClarkB]

Friends,

My wife has won the state-wide award for Educational Support Professionals. She will be presented at the state level as well as the national level later this winter. I need to be the arm-candy or trophy husband, if you will. She has encouraged me to go kilted to the ceremonies. They are not formal, nor even considered semi, but a suit would be expected I'm sure.

That means I need more stuff :-)

I have the imperial black wingtips, the buffalo sporran, proper hose, MacLellan ancient tank and MacLellan flashes. I am saving pennies for scarlet flashes at the moment.

My questions is, can I get by with a dress shirt with red tie or MacLellan tie, or do I need a nice waist coat and jacket. Can I look as good with just a waistcoat and tie?

Or is this the look I need?



BYW, here is the kilt...

Your pics make me jealous!
I have decided to make my own MacLellan kilt but not until I am satisfied with my own kilt-making skills. Currently have finished two and am not satisfied I can do right by the (for me) ultimate tartan. Think on!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I would tend to agree about patterned hose showing up in 18th century portraiture, like yourself I can't think of an example that would refute this. While Renton's catalogue shows patterned hose worn on every occasion (after all, they were trying to sell them), Scott Adie's catalogue of the same era shows both plain and patterned hose worn.

My take is that plain hose probably existed prior to 1799, and that they became increasing common as items of day wear after 1830 (dates are arbitrary), to the point that by 1900 they were considered de rigueur for the well dressed gentleman in tweeds and kilt.

Such is the evolution of modern Highland dress.

[MacLowlife]

According to the seller, these are very old, though probably not as old as MoR and OCR are discussing: http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-7-Vintage...item3a553cc38c

[Bugbear]

Yes, Nighthawk, all you need is the black barathea argyle, and a waistcoat. Best not to make things complicated.

[Nighthawk]

Yes, Nighthawk, all you need is the black barathea argyle, and a waistcoat. Best not to make things complicated.

That's my thinking in all things in my life. It doesn't always work out, though...

[Bugbear]

That's my thinking in all things in my life. It doesn't always work out, though...

I understand, Nighthawk.