Safari/Photographer Vest as "Summer Casual" Outerwear?

[Dale Seago]

This would apply mainly to people in the warmer climes and is certainly not THCD; but, aesthetically, what do you think of a vest like this as warm-weather "very casual" outerwear with a kilt?

Some examples:

http://www.bestvests.com/safari-travel-vest

http://www.tacticaldistributors.com/taclite-pro-vest-1 (I have two of these, one in khaki and one in sage green)

http://www.walkabout.com/shop/wsv.asp

The length on this kind of thing is typically about what you'd have with a Argyle jacket or a bit less; so considered purely in terms of length it's certainly kilt-worthy.

Last week I picked up one of these, as it's a bit different from the usual with the banded collar and suede trim:

http://jlpowell.com/okavango-vest-dark-olive-l-10991

Wore it for the first time yesterday out and about -- with a khaki shirt and jeans -- with my SO. Today, however, I wore it with a kilt, and asked her what she thought. She felt it was perfect for our intentions for the day: A casual brunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a lakeside hike. She also commented, "It looks good with the kilt: Very casual, not as 'stuffy' as your usual look, but still classy".

Does anyone else wear this sort of thing with the kilt in summertime or otherwise-hot weather?

[CDNSushi]

Might be okay in N. America, but personally, I dislike them with a passion!

The main reason being, that there's a law in Japan that every male citizen over the age of 50 MUST wear such a vest if he goes out farther than 50m from the front entrance of his home. In addition, if he has a camera and DOESN'T wear a safari vest, he will get fined 500,000 yen by the fashion police...

Evidence: http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/?p=4123

[Jock Scot]

Good lord, there I go trend setting again, I have been wearing an Orvis one for many years now, on occasion, with the kilt!

[Pleater]

You have the aproval of the SO and you are making further enquiries?

Do you do extreme sports as well or has that lost its edge?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[John McQuillen]

This would apply mainly to people in the warmer climes and is certainly not THCD; but, aesthetically, what do you think of a vest like this as warm-weather "very casual" outerwear with a kilt?

Some examples:

http://www.bestvests.com/safari-travel-vest

http://www.tacticaldistributors.com/taclite-pro-vest-1 (I have two of these, one in khaki and one in sage green)

http://www.walkabout.com/shop/wsv.asp

The length on this kind of thing is typically about what you'd have with a Argyle jacket or a bit less; so considered purely in terms of length it's certainly kilt-worthy.

Last week I picked up one of these, as it's a bit different from the usual with the banded collar and suede trim:

http://jlpowell.com/okavango-vest-dark-olive-l-10991

Wore it for the first time yesterday out and about -- with a khaki shirt and jeans -- with my SO. Today, however, I wore it with a kilt, and asked her what she thought. She felt it was perfect for our intentions for the day: A casual brunch at a nearby restaurant, followed by a lakeside hike. She also commented, "It looks good with the kilt: Very casual, not as 'stuffy' as your usual look, but still classy".

Does anyone else wear this sort of thing with the kilt in summertime or otherwise-hot weather?

Frequently in hot weather being 'down under' but not the sort of thing I'd wear with a kilt and don't recall seeing anyone wear one at highland games etc but someone must have at some point. As usual I think its a matter of personal style. I do own a similar style of vest (well its a proper tactical one rather than the safari type) but I only wear it on the shooting range sometimes.....

I'm sure theres room in the world for a kind of kilted safari look though......different is interesting, interesting is good!

[Dale Seago]

I'm sure theres room in the world for a kind of kilted safari look though......

Well, we'll see in a couple of weeks. Two weeks from tomorrow, June 5th, my workplace is shutting down entirely and all staff are being taken out for a "fun day" up north: Lunch at Camp Newman up in Santa Rosa, followed by the rest of the day at nearby Safari West. I'm thinking the "Okavango Vest" would be a good pairing with a Douglas Weathered kilt. . .

I do really really really like vests with a lot of pockets with kilts - for the convenience, the comfort, and for the look - though I wish someone would delve into the waiting niche market of travel vests cut a bit shorter for wearing with kilts.

Well, until then, this



looks like a great solution, as fishing or "wading vests" (and jackets) are typically cut a bit shorter. I think that ad photo you posted looks fantastic!! I think the Scottevests look quite decent, though, particularly worn unzipped, as they're no longer than an Argyle jacket. It's a matter of mindset: If you're thinking of it as a sleeveless jacket -- outerwear -- rather than as a differently-cut waistcoat, often worn under a jacket -- then I think it works well.

[Geoff Withnell]

Don't have one myself, but I think they look fine. I believe there are a number of pics of Riverkilt wearing such vests in various threads here. Finally if Jock Scot is OK with it, we have the Highland seal of approval!

[Tobus]

This sort of vest needs a pith helmet to go with it to make the look complete.

[unixken]

My initial thought would be that a tactical/photographer/fishing/safari vest would work well enough with a Utilikit (or the 5.11 TDK) or similar kilt. With a tartan kilt, I just don't know either way.

[Jock Scot]

My initial thought would be that a tactical/photographer/fishing/safari vest would work well enough with a Utilikit (or the 5.11 TDK) or similar kilt. With a tartan kilt, I just don't know either way.

I think we can be a tad too precious over tartan kilts. Yes they can be expensive, but tartan wool is amazingly tolerant to most things and I happily wear my one kilt(tartan) fishing on occasion and without the sporran usually. So these vest things are just handy for the odd bits of fishing tackle, sandwiches, wee camera(that drowned!), mobile phone, small thermos, etc.. I can't say that I gave the "look" any thought, but for usefulness it was the obvious choice.