My son's christening...

**troxel87** · 7th October 10, 02:16 PM

My wife and I are flying to Washington State to have our son christened by my father in law (who is a minister there). I am planning on wearing my Irish National tartan kilt and my wife a skirt in the same tartan, and getting a small sash for the little one as well.

My only dilemma is this: I don't have the budget to allow the purchase of a PC or Argyll jacket anytime soon... but I do have an old suit jacket (two buttons) that I had tailored to my fit a couple years ago. The only issue I see with it going with the kilt is the stripes: the jacket is black and has charcoal pinstripes going up and down it.

Would this look funky with a kilt? Would it it appropriate? It's going to be an early morning ceremony, so I'm pretty sure it wouldn't necessarily call for truly formal wear, but I am looking to the rabble for advice on this occasion.

**Chas** · 7th October 10, 02:50 PM

Get in touch with English Bloke. He has a very similar cut down jacket - he has pictures. I thought that it was very smart when he wore it for the Preston Kilt Night last year.

Regards

Chas

**Kilted Rogue** · 7th October 10, 04:22 PM

Post a pic of the jacket and kilt, lets see the two together

**Squeaky McMurdo** · 7th October 10, 08:53 PM

So if I'm understanding this, it's a regular suit jacket, not a suit jacket altered for kilt wear?

Please don't do that, it just looks corny. A regular shirt and tie will do...or you could find a nice vest at Target.

**English Bloke** · 8th October 10, 03:55 AM

Thanks for the PM. I've sent you a reply to that but thought I'd respond here too for anyone else who's interested. With regards to the jacket I didn't have a proper Kilt Jacket but I did have an old pinstripe jacket from a suit I used to wear to work when I did wear suits to work. I found that the jacket and the kilt as was, looked a bit odd with it being so long (Normal length for trousers) so I asked a lady with sewing skills (I struggle with buttons myself) to chop about 5" (13cm) off the bottom, re hem it and round out the front to make a wider gap for mee sporran to show through. She did exactly as I asked so if there is any fault it's down to my designing rather than her sewing.

Couple of pictures front and back...

Bruce Modern to sett

Johnstone Modern to gold stripe

It's not altered to try and make it into a pinstriped crail or argyle. That wasn't my intention and there is no attempt to give it a scottish cut. I think when jackets are altered in this way the side pockets become a problem and just don't look right (for me). I just wanted a normal suit-like jacket but shorter so my kilt wasn't covered in cloot.

I wear it quite regularly for smart but casual type doo's. I either wear it with a shirt and tie or a black polo with black tee-shirt. I've tried it with a shirt but tie-less and wasn't happy with that. I think that looks sloppy in hindsight. I imagine if you altered yours and wore it with Kilt, it would be just the ticket for a christening, I'd wear it to one certainly but then I'm not best placed to advise on what's right and proper and others may differ. If you do decide to alter your jacket, feel free to use the pictures as your guide. In addition. Pinstripes are at the sharper end of fashion mee thinks. A bespoke pinstripe kilt jacket would cost you heaps. This will cost you whatever your seamstress charges for an alteration. Let me know how you get on.

**Schiehallion** · 8th October 10, 06:23 AM

Looking good there in your pin stripe Jacket and showing it can be modified with success.

**Riverkilt** · 8th October 10, 06:31 AM

Two suggestions - wear a nice sweater instead. and FLY KILTED!...its a long flight, you'll love the comfort.

**troxel87** · 8th October 10, 10:52 AM

Deleted

**Chas** · 8th October 10, 02:54 PM

A fly plaid can be a bit of problem. You have to get the balance just right, otherwise it will try and lift your jacket up and off your shoulder. The other consideration is the brooch. If you intend to hold your child in your arms, there will be this lump of metal (and maybe sharp stone) just where his head will be. You could end up fussing with it all the time, rather than enjoying and taking part in a joyous celebration.

Regards

Chas

**English Bloke** · 8th October 10, 04:23 PM

A fly plaid wouldn't work with the jacket I have (and you will have). You would really need an epaulet to thread it through to stop it falling off your shoulder and a simple modified suit jacket won't have one. As Chas also mentions, they are a fuss apparently and require constant adjustment and you have better things to worry about. I wouldn't if I were you. Go for comfortable not fussy.

Now that's out the way, I think Ron (Riverkilt) was referring to your mode of transportation rather than your attire.