Tradition of Non-Cookie-Cutter Kilt Jackets?

[Bugbear]

I've been following several discussions, in several threads, about non-standard or non-cookie-cutter kilt jacket styles that have been and still are acceptable. I'm starting to get the feeling that it is somehow a Highland tradition to prefer or admire a kilt jacket that is somewhat unique, or that uses features of older styles (not exact copies, though). The discussion of the collarless kilt jackets comes to mind.

Am I misunderstanding this?

Where are the boundaries of using features of older or different styles in an acceptable kilt jacket?

[KFCarter]

I've been following several discussions, in several threads, about non-standard or non-cookie-cutter kilt jacket styles that have been and still are acceptable. I'm starting to get the feeling that it is somehow a Highland tradition to prefer or admire a kilt jacket that is somewhat unique, or that uses features of older styles (not exact copies, though). The discussion of the collarless kilt jackets comes to mind.

Am I misunderstanding this?

Where are the boundaries of using features of older or different styles in an acceptable kilt jacket?

Thanks for posting this question; I've been wondering about this as well and am very interested to hear the responses.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I cannot give you any valid info from the highlands. My mother was from Mull.

For my taste, any jacket that is short enough to show off the kilt is acceptable. In my youth we called them "bum-freezers" and included such as the military "Ike" jackets, Eaton jackets, and the current crop of short uniform "mess jackets".

The Kilt is, after all, the primary focus of Scots wear. The jacket and hose act as more or less of a frame to set off the Kilt.

[Bugbear]

Thanks for posting this question; I've been wondering about this as well and am very interested to hear the responses.

I am continually surprised by the varioty of kilt jackets that come up in the Traditional Highland Attire threads; I mean that in a good way.

It's been pointed out by the Highland attire traditionalists, for example, that it doesn't matter a whole lot whether the daywear jacket has a one, two, or three button closure. I started this thread partly in response to another thread discussing a PC without the double row of buttons on the sides, and a three button closure.

It's interesting and a bit refreshing in a world where three button suits are more formal than two button suits and people obsess over other people's shoulder pad size and lapel width.

[Jock Scot]

I am continually surprised by the varioty of kilt jackets that come up in the Traditional Highland Attire threads; I mean that in a good way.

It's been pointed out by the Highland attire traditionalists, for example, that it doesn't matter a whole lot whether the daywear jacket has a one, two, or three button closure. I started this thread partly in response to another thread discussing a PC without the double row of buttons on the sides, and a three button closure.

It's interesting and a bit refreshing in a world where three button suits are more formal than two button suits and people obsess over other people's shoulder pad size and lapel width.

Ted I really would not get too wound up about the number of buttons on which jacket thing. X number of buttons look right on some jackets and Y number of buttons can look all wrong on on others.Where does the number of buttons on a jacket and formality idea come from?

[Bugbear]

Ted I really would not get too wound up about the number of buttons on which jacket thing. X number of buttons look right on some jackets and Y number of buttons can look all wrong on on others.Where does the number of buttons on a jacket and formality idea come from?

Jock, it is the other side of the American culture that you probably don't hear a lot about. The "always casual folk" and the "button counters" almost feed off each other, and it leaves the people who are in the middle paranoid about being too dressed up or too casual. There's parts of the business world that have this going on too.

I don't think I'm explaining it very well, but when you hear people making a game of picking out non-bespoke jackets and commenting about how aughful they look, and how they can spot them from a mile away... It just leaves you wondering what is being said behind your own back.

Then you throw on top of all of that, the aditude from both extremes of "I am always right," and it just makes a nervous mess of everything. That is also where this concept of the "kilt police" is probably coming from; an over reaction I guess.

[Colonel MacNeal]

I suppose looking at vintage photographs might provide some clues.

[Jock Scot]

Like any national attire it is unique to that nation,well originally anyway and that is how it should be. Scots kilt jackets have to be cut in a way so they allow the kilt to swish and swing and fit the sporran, the embellishments such as the cuffs,epaulets,buttons,etc. have a military background, but that is mainly a tradition that is older than many countries and really ,I suppose, just the way it is. This attire is Scots, highland Scots, and that is what makes it special to this nation and instantly recognisable throughout the world.

[Bugbear]

If it helps you understand where I am coming from with this, I am interested in tailoring. I enjoy learning about the internal construction of the jackets. My grandmothers both made clothing, as well as, my mother, so I grew up around it. I don't have the skills to do too much along that line, but it is interesting to me.

[Jock Scot]

Ted actually I think I understand! Puffer was explaining all this to me a while ago. It all sounded rather sad to me. Some of us can be smart all the time and all of us can be smart some of the time. We of course have our "bespoke tailors" and there was a time when I had my suits,uniforms, kilt attire, hunting(horses and hounds) gear, shooting suits etc. all made by hand. As my body shape has changed and as I have got much older, my sons have recycled many of my suits,uniforms etc. I have not been able to justify replacing them as my clothing needs are no longer the same. So apart from a new shooting suit ,or two, and I think one more kilt, I have enough to see me through. BUT there is no doubt in my mind that bespoke tailoring can be spotted a mile off, whether that makes you a better person ,or, business man I have my doubts. As far as I am aware, we over here, worry little about how many buttons a jacket has from a social point of view.What is inside the clothing, how well cut a particular garment is and how well it is worn(not, as in worn out!) matters depending on the circles you move in. Numbers of buttons? Not really an issue although, one possibly two buttons is the norm on a kilt day jacket,as is three buttons on a suit jacket.