Length of vest or waistcoat

**Peter Lowe** · 13th October 13, 12:01 PM

Whatever style of "cut" you go for, can I strongly suggest that you wear your kilt and sporran to the person who may be doing the waistcoat alteration so that they can see at first hand the problem and take the appropriate measurements to rectify it.[/QUOTE]

I agree with Jock Scot that you must wear your kilt and sporran when meeting the person doing the alteration. I had exactly the same problem with a tweed waistcoat. The alteration was surprisingly small and now it does the job perfectly.

Good luck!

Peter

**OC Richard** · 14th October 13, 03:35 PM

This is a pet peeve of mine! In part because it is so common in the Pipe Band world. It's the combination of wearing the kilt too low (shoving it down around the hips as if the kilt were jeans) and wearing a waistcoat too short. "Gaposis" my old Pipe Major used to call it.

It's especially bad when the guy is wearing a dirk belt under his waistcoat, the belt now fully visible.

Here are some photos I have to hand

If you have your kilt made with a nice traditional "rise" and wear it correctly you have some room to work with as regards your waistcoat length, and any ordinary waistcoat (such as would be worn with trousers) will be fine. If your kilt has a skimpy rise or you wear it too low then problems are pretty much inevitable and you might have to get your waistcoats made extra long.

For example here I am wearing a vest I got at an ordinary mens shop... no gap!

**Deirachel** · 17th October 13, 07:38 PM

Very smart look, OC. I can second this advice as my waistcoats are from Burlington's and Men's Warehouse. Both have points, and they end a good couple of inches about my sporran.

Might I ask where you got the waistcoat? All the stores in my area don't seem to carry a collared waistcoat.

I also like your choice in photograph companions. The Spartan there has a number of complementary parts on the armor to your outfit. Buckles on your brogues? Square plate on the instep. Waistcoat? Breastplate. Gengarry? Crest on the helmet. Glasses? Mirrored Face plate. Perhaps the Spartans are 2620's Black Watch?

**tulloch** · 18th October 13, 08:22 PM

Orvis has some waistcoats with lapels. I have one in brown herringbone - no satin back but more a sleeveless jacket. I love it! I think they have several styles.