Traditional day dress c. 1870

[tulloch]

Ha! Wonderful!

I couldn't help but notice the brown ghillie brogues. Which also happens to be a commonly-seen style of shoe in the MacLeay portraits from the same era. Virtually no one wears these today. At least, not in that particular style.

What is unusual about them? That they are brown?

[Tobus]

What is unusual about them? That they are brown?

Yes, pretty much. If I see ghillie brogues today, they're usually black and polished. The ones in this cartoon, as well as the MacLeay portraits, seem to be brown, unpolished, and generally well-used. Plus, the style seems to be different than you see today. Thinner soles, more squared toes, and generally flatter (not rounded on top).

[MacLowlife]

Vanity Fair actually had at least four different kilted Scotsmen in their famous prints, along with several others in trousers or robes. Interestingly, the Marquess of Lorne is sometimes presented facing left and sometimes facing right. He married one of Queen Victoria's daughters, which may explain the caption

"If everywhere as successful as in love, a great destiny awaits him."

In fact, he was Governor general of Canada for about five years.

The three other prints I have found range nearly forty years (The Marquess's image was printed in 1870) and the colors would seem to reflect the continuing evolution of ink and printing. Two of them were issued in the early 1900s and they present stronger colors, though details of the tartans remain impressionistic. One from the 1890s is rendered almost entirely in shades of tan and brown, with only black and white- no blues or greens or reds.

I believe the colors in the original post represent a decision by the artist, based in part on the available technology and in part on his own artistic interpretation. Just as we are probably not meant to expect his ears to be as big as his brown shoes, we are probably not meant to expect to see the tartan exactly as shown. I asked the question, though, because of its resemblance to ancient or muted colors seen today.

But there is another explanation that might well apply- that the image has simply faded over the past 140 years. After seeing three or four different copies of the print, I am fairly sure that is not the case.

Take a look at the others for some more hints at Highland Dress of old.

http://www.vanityfairprints.com/?cat=2862

[CMcG]

http://www.vanityfairprints.com/?cat=2862

Let's see those in-thread, shall we?

'A Vanity Fair Print of Mr. Peter Jeffrey Mackie April 8th 1908 The Caption Reads ” Restless Peter ”'


'A Vanity Fair Print of Marquess of Tulibardine Dated March 23rd 1905 The Caption Reads ” Scottish Horse ”'


'A Vanity Fair Print of The Marquis Of Breadalbane Sept 13th 1894 The Caption Reads “ The Queen’s Lord Steward ”'


I especially like the last one showing the The Marquis Of Breadalbane wearing spats. Is that a stock tie or some type of cravat he is wearing?

[MacLowlife]

et voila: a verra similar jacket, available on That Internet Auction Site:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/MACPHERSON-S...item336e22ee44

not my size.

[Tobus]

et voila: a verra similar jacket, available on That Internet Auction Site:


http://www.ebay.com/itm/MACPHERSON-S...item336e22ee44

not my size.

But it's my size!!!

I had already been looking at this jacket before you posted it. I was trying very hard to maintain self-control, but alas, I lost that battle. I bought it. It was just too fabulous to walk away from.

[Remy]

But it's my size!!!

I had already been looking at this jacket before you posted it. I was trying very hard to maintain self-control, but alas, I lost that battle. I bought it. It was just too fabulous to walk away from.

Tobus,
I noticed that jacket too. It's really quite beautiful. Not just your ordinary gray tweed. Please post pictures once you get it.
Remy

[creagdhubh]

But it's my size!!!

I had already been looking at this jacket before you posted it. I was trying very hard to maintain self-control, but alas, I lost that battle. I bought it. It was just too fabulous to walk away from.

Congrats! Great find!

My family knew Hugh Macpherson, back when he ran his wee Highland attire shop in Haymarket, Edinburgh. I now know Hugh's daughter and grand-daughter, who is now running the shop - home of the famous (amongst the Clan Macpherson), 'Cluny's Tweed,' which is primarily made into jackets and waistcoats.

Cheers,

[cruiser348]

But it's my size!!!

I had already been looking at this jacket before you posted it. I was trying very hard to maintain self-control, but alas, I lost that battle. I bought it. It was just too fabulous to walk away from.

Congratulations on that purchase. Never seems to be anything with that nice of pattern to the jacket in my size that I can find there. Well, either that or when I do see something the bidding seems to go through the roof. I guess 44L must be a pretty sought after size in kilt jackets.