Seven Days... New Topic

[CMcG]

There was a thread a while back about tartan doublets that might be worth revisiting. Lost of good images there:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-60072/

And various older examples:

[MacLowlife]

Thanks, CMcG, for a' that assembling and posting. And for the link to the earlier thread. I like the idea of facings on the lapels and cuffs- wooly or velvet MIGHT just work in the daytime, but shiny or silky would pretty much scream evening wear, I think. A big advantage of solid color facings ( black, navy, even green) would be to point out the tartan a little more by contrast. Since I am planning to work from an already constructed jacket, the pocket flaps might become an issue, but again, using solid fabric to replace them is a good solution.

I dearly love the frogging and braid on the 18th century (?) doublet, but I think that may be too much even for me- and nigh impossible to work from a pre-existing blazer.

I will put in a small, but related plug for Hothir Ethelnor, author and model of the lovely bias doublet in the other thread. I believe he is now helping Josh (NorCal Piper) make doublets over at Skye Highland Outfitters. Josh is doing a little website maintenance at the moment, but the last time I looked, H-E's tartan creations were available to order in PV for remarkably low prices.

I recognize and respect the widely (and wisely) held opinion that a venture such as this is really the province of experienced tailors who will start from scratch, but some of us are born to rush in where angels fear to tread. If this jacket ever gets off the drawing board, I will be sure to post pics.

Thanks everybody, so far and yet to come...

[JSFMACLJR]

There is also the MacGregor. This photo is rather dressy too, but appears to have been taken during daylight hours:

It might be light outside, but I am sure the photo of Sir Malcolm and Lady MacGregor of MacGregor was taken in the evening.

[JSFMACLJR]

Seven Days without THCD discussion makes one weak.

I have a Black Watch Saxon blazer that I am considering having remade for kilt wear. A little creative destruction on another sportcoat has yielded a pattern for making a coatee (with tails) on the order of a PC, though probably not double breasted. On the other hand, it could easily be shortened in the manner of an Argyll style jacket.

I will not suggest wearing it with tartans other than the BW, (though I think it would look pretty good with the Dress Gordon used by a nearby school.) However, I am wondering about day vs evening wear. My concern is that BW often appears as plain black in evening settings, while it might be more obviously tartan in the daytime. Is this good or bad? I am not inclined towards the Paladin / Johnny Cash look, but I think a tartan kilt and jacket would be pretty swell. And I expect the rest of the outfit would define the formality.

At last the point of all of this rambling:
1) What style of jacket/ doublet?
2) When to wear it?

I already have more than one option for day or evening and I am hoping to get this done pretty cheaply, so it is more of a play project than a matter of great importance. Just the same, I am eager for good advice.

I would have it converted into an Argyll-style jacket. You can wear it in the day, or dress it up more for evening wear. Leave the lapels as they are, if you want to be able to wear it day or night. Velvet lapels for day dress wouldn't really work.

Don't worry about Black Watch tartan being too dark in the evening. As the saying goes: "it is what it is."

[CMcG]

It might be light outside, but I am sure the photo of Sir Malcolm and Lady MacGregor of MacGregor was taken in the evening.

I see. As in, after 6:00 pm but before the sun went down... that makes more sense.

[fluter]

I see. As in, after 6:00 pm but before the sun went down... that makes more sense.

That happens fairly often in Scotland! That was their wedding photo, I don't know at what time of day.