Seeking Advice for First Kilt Jacket

[TheOfficialBren]

I often wear a zip-up cardigan and collared shirt with a tie whilst kilted in cool weather.

[Livonian]

I'd probably go for buttons or toggles, but that's more or less I'm considering. Probably in either tweed or rib-knit with two patch pockets at the waist.

There's a few Celtic shops in my area which I know have a plethora of such items. I may need to pay them a visit... I may need a kilt in Irish National Tartan for such an errand as well...

[plaid preacher]

I'm with Jock Scot, a tweed argyll is the most versatile of all jackets, and perhaps avoids that stereotypic gaelified sports coat to which you refer.


@Riverkilt, that's a great picture Ron! I don't think I've ever seen you "all cleaned up".Very handsome.

[SeumasA]

Wow. You clean up nice.

[Riverkilt]

I was younger then...was for a friend's Traditional Navajo wedding out in Shonto...

Found another jacket pic that shows the detail work better.

[pbutts]

Yeah, Given Jock Scot's mention of pullovers, I may look for a commando sweater (my current one is beat up beyond belief) or a buttoned sweater, similar to what William Duff appears to wear in the MacLeay portraits.

With several of us new to the band, we needed to purchase black commandos for cold weather parades and settled on this one from Amazon -- http://www.amazon.com/Rothco-Acrylic.../dp/B000IQY50M

if you have a tailor you trust (or sewing skills of your own) an inexpensive consignment shop tweed jacket can be converted to a kilt jacket. A search here will turn up several helpful posts.

[Livonian]

I currently own one of the aforementioned Rothco acrylic commando sweaters... it's almost ready to fall apart after a year of light use. I do recreational military simulation, and Rothco is very well-known among us... for producing junk. The mate fuzz on the shoulder and elbow patches will rub off pretty quickly, revealing shiny polyester stuff. They also insulate only "so-so": under about 50 degrees Farenheit, a light jacket is a necessity. I fielded mine once, under a BDU jacket in 35 degrees Farenheit... The folks with the real deal were nice and toasty... me, not so much. Might work for a parade in kinda-cool weather, but you'll want to be gentle with it. As for cold weather, consider yourself warned.

That said, military surplus commando sweaters are awesome and not much more expensive than a Rothco repro. They will, however, keep you far warmer and last many times longer. I've heard the Bundeswehr ones are particularly great (http://www.hessenantique.com/German_.../s91080130.htm). I've yet to see a Bund one in black, but I'm sure some army has black ones it's looking to offload. Most of the folks I roll with wear them under a BDU jacket when the weather gets nasty and they report superb temperature and moisture control.

As for me, I'll probably get a vest (waistcoat, if you're from across the pond) and a cardigan, either tweed or cable-knit. That should cover most instances in which I'll be kilted.

[California Highlander]

I have an LLBean commando henley sweater/jumper. It's all wool, heavy, and well made (21oz 100% wool). It's also not itchy. My wife likes it with the kilt. It comes in button henley or crew neck in navy blue, black, green heather, sable. Note that it's a trimmer cut (commandos you know!) so I ordered a size up and it's perfect.

[Pipersson]

Hi Livonian!

As already said a Sheriffmuir is a "high end" dress jacket which is reserved for special occasions like a black tailcoat with white tie. You wouldn't wear this every day for work, shopping etc...

I think a tweed jacket would be a good choice for many occasions.
And if you like a darker shade there usually is a charcoal variant. (But there are so many nice coloured tweed fabrics I wouldn't go for a charcoal one.)
A black Argyll in daytime is already quite formal.

I think with a tweed jacket AND a black Argyll you would be prepared for about 80% of all jacket occasions.

Have a look at this if you like...
I ordered one some time ago. It was made with good workmanship and a nice fabric.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCOTTISH-A...item540befaf0d

I bought one of these...
http://www.ebay.de/itm/GREEN-TWEED-N...item5d4e7051fb

Some of us made unpleasant experiences with the seller but I had no problems with them.
I also bought my Argyll from them. And they offer quite affordable ex-hire jackets...

Hope I could help!

Tom

[Creag]

If you would like a black jacket and waistcoat for dressier occasions (not full tux formal), but want something more understated, USA Kilts has a "Wallace" jacket.

http://www.usakilts.com/wallace-jacket.html