Traditional day dress c. 1870

**Tobus** · 18th November 11, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Rocky's choice of tweed day jackets and waistcoats are around $100 cheaper than the jacket and waistcoat above, plus with USA Kilts, you have a rather nice selection of tweeds to choose from, and you know who supplied the tweed, and who is going to make your jacket and waistcoat - it is not some 'big' mystery.

Not to mention you can customize your jacket in regards to cuff style, flat-cloth or braided epaulettes, or none (I like either no epaulettes, or braided - I never liked the look of flat-cloth epaulettes), and either a 1, 2, or 3 button front. Rocky at USA Kilts makes it very easy to select what you prefer!

Cheers,

You pretty much took the words out of my mouth, Kyle. I had seen that green windowpane tweed jacket on eBay as well (made to order), and loved the looks of it. But if I were going to have a made-to-measure jacket made for me in a tweed of my choosing, I'd go with Rocky. It simply eliminates most of the risks and unknowns of ordering overseas from an unknown person.

**Eck** · 18th November 11, 05:07 PM

You are all probably right guys. Shop at home and it is easier to return if there are problems. Plus you get the option of choosing specific style.
It was just that at around $370 post paid, I thought it was a good deal for the jacket and vest. Just keeping you all in the loop with the bargains cousins.
Incidentally, are'nt 'USA Kilts' jackets made in the UK in any case?

**MacLowlife** · 18th November 11, 08:17 PM

Yes, Eck, I do believe USA Kilts' jackets and waistcoats ARE made in the UK. I think the advantage is having Rocky to manage certain aspects and to complain to stateside if things go wrong. The eBay seller is probably just fine- and he is a little cheaper, even with the expensive UK postage costs. But then there is the wild card of the customs duty.

I think you summed it up- shop at home. The eBay seller is a better bargain for UK buyers. Without question, the jacket is a beauty and very reminiscent of the one in the OP.

Thanks and congratulations, Matt, for this great ride of a post- early kiltwear, two eBay listings, and a sale from Rocky, not to mention plenty of advice and commentary.

**OC Richard** · 21st November 11, 06:20 AM

That cartoon in the OP is very interesting to me, both in the way in which it is on all fours with my vintage photos and The Highlanders of Scotland, and in a couple small details which are different.

Oddly, no check jackets appear in THOS and all shirts are white.

On the other hand, the buff/tan leather ghillies appear to have been the norm at that time: of the 11 ghillies seen in THOS only one pair is black, and that pair has decorative buckles. Most are tan leather, apparently with a rough finish.

The small animal mask sporran also appears in THOS, though 46 of the 55 sporrans are long hair (including 16 worn with tweed "day" jackets). Only five mask sporrans appear.

As a "control" here are some photos of somewhat plain Highland Dress (a clear day/evening dichotomy did not exist at that time, evidently) of approximately the same period.

Starting with early images, probably from the 1860s

And in the early 20th century these styles prevailed

**creagdhubh** · 21st November 11, 07:39 AM

Wonderful photos as always, Richard! I'd love to get my hands on the Scottish Wildcat full-mask sporran featured in the second-to-last photo above!

Cheers,

**OC Richard** · 25th November 11, 05:36 AM

A few years earlier than 1870, but here is a perfect example of the Day Dress of the 1860s, very much as seen in the Highlanders of Scotland complete with ankle boots, long hair sporran, lack of flashes, &c.

The cantle of this sporran is very interesting and I can't quite make out how it's made. (Apparently a rectalinear metal cantle which opens hinged as per 18th century sporrans.)

I believe this is the earliest photo I have showing a check shirt.

The photographic studio was M Jackson, Perth.

**creagdhubh** · 25th November 11, 06:43 AM

Great photo! Fantastic kilt length too.

**RockyR** · 26th November 11, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Eck

You are all probably right guys. Shop at home and it is easier to return if there are problems. Plus you get the option of choosing specific style.
It was just that at around $370 post paid, I thought it was a good deal for the jacket and vest. Just keeping you all in the loop with the bargains cousins.
Incidentally, are'nt 'USA Kilts' jackets made in the UK in any case?

Sorry... I just saw this post now. Yes, our jackets are made in the UK. The price you see on our site ($399.99 for the jacket and vest) is the delivered to your door, no small print, no US Customs, etc price.

Also, as an FYI, we have that exact same tweed (dark green with charcoal overcheck) as well... MM-CGE118:

http://www.usakilts.com/index.php/ki...cket-vest.html

**Gregmc** · 28th November 11, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

Here is a Vanity Fair cartoon showing the Marquis of Lorn from Nov. 19, 1870.

Looking at this cartoon from the standpoint of Highland dress, I really don't see anything at all from his attire that would not also be very suitable Highland daywear today in 2011, with the possible exception of the wide waist belt worn over his tweed waistcoat.

Comments?

The Marquis of Lorne was a courtesy title given to John Campbell the Ninth Duke of Argyll. That tartan was actually a commemorative tartan made for the Duke's wedding in 1871. As for the belt; artistic lisence I suppose.