What is it, and how do I wear it?

**plaid preacher** · 24th November 19, 07:05 PM

Military mess jackets and their formal wear variants are normally single-breasted and worn with a waistcoat.

**figheadair** · 25th November 19, 03:49 AM

I agree that this looks like a bespoke garment and one that is meant to be worn fastened, possibly with a belt depending on the length and fit.

It could look rather elegant and I rather like it although I'm not a belt fan.

**D.A. Guertin** · 25th November 19, 07:37 AM

Greatest appreciation for the help thus far. :-) Here's a photo of what appears to be a very heavy lining, if that helps with anything...

Best,

Darryl

Lining.jpg

**OC Richard** · 25th November 19, 05:30 PM

It looks like a specifically Highland Evening jacket, to be worn with an Evening Dress belt such as is worn with the Montrose.

I knew it looked familiar- here it is! Being worn by the Alexander Brothers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ng4XklfxsI

It strikes me as a blend between a Prince Charlie and a Montrose.

Here is Pipe Major Evan MacRae wearing a not dissimilar jacket, though his buttons higher. I took this photo c1981

The man on the left is Lt Col John McEwing, the founder of the North Idaho College School Of Bagpiping.

**D.A. Guertin** · 25th November 19, 07:51 PM

Again, very interesting... Thanks very much for that! I'll have to see if there are belt loops or hooks once I get it in; couldn't see any in the photos I had available.

**figheadair** · 25th November 19, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by D.A. Guertin

Greatest appreciation for the help thus far. :-) Here's a photo of what appears to be a very heavy lining, if that helps with anything...

Best,

Darryl

Lining.jpg

I would expect a maker's label somewhere, perhaps inside an internal pocket.

**Nomad** · 26th November 19, 12:42 AM

Personally I don't think it's designed to be worn with a belt as there is limited distance between the bottom of the kilt and the buttons, but give it a try if you want. If the length is correct it should look good with a kilt.

**OC Richard** · 26th November 19, 05:21 AM

As a side note, jackets that ended at the waist became very popular during WWII, the style influence being the British M37 Battle Dress jacket which was widely copied by foreign militaries (the US "Ike jacket" and the German M44 blouse).

In the post-WWII period jackets that ended at the waist became extremely popular with police forces, civilian pipe bands, civilian uniforms of all sorts (truck drivers, delivery men, etc) and in civilian fashion in general.

Here's an article about the M37 jacket's fashion impact in the USA, from October 1944

http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/a...y#.Xd0fWW5FzIU

The development of a Prince Charlie type jacket that ended at the waist for civilian Highland Dress, given this context, is hardly surprising.

**Blaidd** · 26th November 19, 07:48 AM

It looks like the 'top half' of a gentleman's Regency period coat sans tails. The lining might also support that. That said, such lining is classic military Mess Jacket styling.

I agree with Nomad though regarding the belt. Similarly, if it looks good, why not wear it!

**kingandrew** · 26th November 19, 09:35 AM

This is a sharp-looking jacket for sure. I like the combination of the peak lapels with the neat waist line and double-breasted front. The short length does recall the Spencer and Eton style jackets, which are usually worn with trousers but are a good length for kilt wear.

It will be interesting to see how it looks on you.

Andrew