What kind of Jacket/Waistcoat needed?

[WClarkB]

Friends,

My wife has won the state-wide award for Educational Support Professionals. She will be presented at the state level as well as the national level later this winter. I need to be the arm-candy or trophy husband, if you will. She has encouraged me to go kilted to the ceremonies. They are not formal, nor even considered semi, but a suit would be expected I'm sure.

That means I need more stuff :-)

I have the imperial black wingtips, the buffalo sporran, proper hose, MacLellan ancient tank and MacLellan flashes. I am saving pennies for scarlet flashes at the moment.

My questions is, can I get by with a dress shirt with red tie or MacLellan tie, or do I need a nice waist coat and jacket. Can I look as good with just a waistcoat and tie?

Or is this the look I need?



BYW, here is the kilt...

Your pics make me jealous!
I have decided to make my own MacLellan kilt but not until I am satisfied with my own kilt-making skills. Currently have finished two and am not satisfied I can do right by the (for me) ultimate tartan. Think on!

[OC Richard]

I'm not exactly sure when "always" began, but generally speaking these days hose worn with formal highland attire should preferably be patterned, not plain; but since both the OP and Sandford were referring to day wear highland attire, then solid coloured hose (which have been worn with day wear since the 1860s) are indeed a classic, and in my opinion, the OP's best choice.

Yes "always" was a bad word choice I suppose... I should have said maybe that all early depictions of Highland dress, from the earliest up through the end of the 18th century, show patterned hose. (At least I think all... off the top of my head I can't think of an 18th century portrait which shows plain hose.)

In the 19th century plain hose show up in unexpected places: In The Highlanders of Scotland one man is wearing the dress uniform the the Atholl Highlanders complete with dress tunic and long hair sporran, but is wearing plain brown hose! And some men are wearing grey "day" jackets with tartan hose. But in the main, plain hose are being worn mostly with grey "day" jackets, tartan hose with black jackets. By the way, none of the plain hose are white or cream... they're all light grey, taupe, or brown. So I can agree that those colours of plain hose are "classic". Cream/offwhite I don't.
By the way not a single figure in the c1915 Rentons book is wearing plain hose...tartan hose are being worn with grey and brown tweed jackets as well as with dressier jackets.

Yes this is certainly all off-topic and this guy will end up with plain hose probably.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I would tend to agree about patterned hose showing up in 18th century portraiture, like yourself I can't think of an example that would refute this. While Renton's catalogue shows patterned hose worn on every occasion (after all, they were trying to sell them), Scott Adie's catalogue of the same era shows both plain and patterned hose worn.

My take is that plain hose probably existed prior to 1799, and that they became increasing common as items of day wear after 1830 (dates are arbitrary), to the point that by 1900 they were considered de rigueur for the well dressed gentleman in tweeds and kilt.

Such is the evolution of modern Highland dress.

[MacLowlife]

According to the seller, these are very old, though probably not as old as MoR and OCR are discussing: http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-7-Vintage...item3a553cc38c

[Nighthawk]

You are so kind.An Argyll is just a style of day jacket and one that I am a fan of,but there are as you know, various styles of day jacket. OK,you are not a fan of tweed.Out of interest, is that all tweed, or just heavy tweed?There are literally hundreds of patterns to choose from you know and also tweed is also to be found in lightweight cloth too.In passing, tweed does not have to be the hairy fuzzy stuff that is much loved by some of us old fashioned Scots.Here endeth the tweed sales pitch!How about barathea?The stuff that the black silver buttoned argylls/PCs are usually made of, only put black buttons on instead of silver--very,very smart.Some one here mentioned having a kilt jacket made out of linen,very sensible in hot climates.How about the very expensive option?Silk? I hope this gives you a wee bit of help.

I haven't actually tried on a tweed jacket. I just haven't seen a pattern that I like. I like either really subtle, like the shadow tartan, or very distinct, like standard tartan. Tweed seems to me to be somewhere in between. And in answer to your question... I love barathea! I wore a barathea jacket to officiate an outdoor wedding in Arizona (which as Ted knows is a very hot climate) and I was very comfortable. After the ceremony was over, I took my jacket off and discovered that the buttons and outside where hot! But on the inside, where my body, I was just fine. I've picked up a liking for barathea. And the black button idea is a great one! I have to remember that!

[Bugbear]

Yes, Nighthawk, all you need is the black barathea argyle, and a waistcoat. Best not to make things complicated.

[Nighthawk]

Yes, Nighthawk, all you need is the black barathea argyle, and a waistcoat. Best not to make things complicated.

That's my thinking in all things in my life. It doesn't always work out, though...

[Bugbear]

That's my thinking in all things in my life. It doesn't always work out, though...

I understand, Nighthawk.

[ChubRock]

besides a generous offer from OC Richard for his jacket, which I think is too small (PM sent)

I have just found a great offer that might be too good to pass up. A kilt maker in Glasgow has an ex-hire Black Barathea 17 oz. Jacket and waistcoat in my size for only £79! Of course freight charges to the US are £39. But I think this is a great deal. Verified to be in excellent condition by the family-owned and operated shop, I wonder if this is too good to pass up.

Anyone?

[OC Richard]

Chub, those ex-hire jackets are, in my experience, good deals!

I've had a couple over the years and the ones I've had appeared to be in new condition, probably only worn a few times perhaps. Nice high-quality jackets.