Open Fronted Doublets

[CMcG]

I'm interested to know what the rabble has to say about open fronted doublets, specifically the Sheriffmuir vs. the Regulation? Pictures are, of course, most welcome. And yes, I've searched through some older threads but would still like to clarify a bit more...

It seems like these are the two generally available styles that could be worn with a waistcoat. Are there other non-bespoke options?

I've read that doublets (in general) can be worn for both black or white tie. Does this apply universally or are these open fronted doublets more germane to only one level of formality?

What different ways are there to wear a Regulation, Sheriffmuir, or other open fronted doublet at different levels of formality (re: neck wear, shirt, waistcoat/vest, accessories, etc)?

My birthday is coming and I'm considering asking a few people to chip in on a used doublet. Any suggestions (other than eBay) about where I might find one? I'm a fairly standard 38R.

[Zardoz]

Back when I decided to get into some kilt related formal stuff I looked at the Sheriffmuir and Regulation doublets quite a bit. Based on everything I've seen on-line and in person, and read about, they seem to be used for very similar 'levels' of formality. I've most often seen the Sheriffmuir worn with 5 button waistcoats in black or tartan, and the Jabot. So the Sheriffmuir seems to generally be considered 'white-tie' like the Montrose.
I've most often seen the Regulation worn with black-tie and 3 button vest basically like a PC. I recall one vendor calling the Regulation a Sheriffmuir with PC lapels. So it's level seems to be viewed more as 'black-tie'.

I have seen the Regulation worn with a white vest and tie to 'elevate' it, and the Sheriffmuir worn with a wing collar shirt and rouche tie, I guess to lower it's level of formality . Based on that, I guess the Regulation, like a PC, is more versatile, but truth be told, I think the look of Sheriffmuir more.

In the end I didn't go with either one though...

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Here is a picture I put together showing the Sherrifmuir with various neckwear, for comparison. Mine is a tweed doublet, so it's not quite the same as a black barathea or velvet, but you get the idea.

[MacBean]

The following link shows a regulation doublet from front and back with the Inverness flaps. I've attached the one picture from the front, but if you go to the link you can see the others from an earlier post. I like it a lot, but then this is a custom-made jacket of amazingly strong material designed to withstand the constant friction of a piper's bag. The inside of the lapel is nearly worn through but the warp threads must be nylon and have held up.



http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-modern-61831/

I too am a 38R, and found this 60-year old Scottish piper's doublet on eBay cheap, having stumbled on a tip kindly posted by Maclowlife for a doublet. Turns out that the purported size was widely incorrect, but by checking the measurements I was able to see it would fit me. I was the only one to bid. I wouldn't count on another turning up soon though!

As for formality. I'm not sure I've ever been to a white tie event.

I think about getting a waistcoat; what might you suggest?

[davidlpope]

I think about getting a waistcoat; what might you suggest?

Bias-Cut Tartan. And Argyll hose to match.


Nice doublet. Very sharp.

[CMcG]

<snip>

In the end I didn't go with either one though...

What did you go with and why?

[Zardoz]

What did you go with and why?

To make a long story a little shorter....

At that time in my transition to Highland wear, I was looking at Sheriffmuir and Regulation doublets as an alternative to the 'standard' Prince Charlie jacket. I never cared for the PC, and after seeing a lot of guys wearing them at formal stuff, I thought it was kind of ubiquitous, like a uniform, and I just wanted something different.

I guess in the end it came down to the details with me, I was OK with the PC's tailcoat based style, it was the military cuffs, rope epaulets, and all the buttons.
Likewise with the doublets, as cool as I thought the Sheriffmuir looked, a lot of the details like the skirt flaps and 30-something buttons etc.. were a bit much for me personally.

In the end, I figured out what I was after was not really offered, basically a streamlined version of the tailcoat based kilt jackets. I started with a modified Spencer tux jacket, basically a tailcoat with the tails cut-off, which can be seen in many of my photos here, and have recently started 'trial runs' with a modified tailcoat of my own design.

[MacLowlife]

I have a doublet from Clann Crois, bought from a commercial seller on eBay. I suppose it is an almost- Sheriffmuir,or maybe a Sheriffmuir variant. First, it has round buttons and it has bucket cuffs and there is no provision made to close it at all. But it is most assuredly non-bespoke, with a size label and off-the rack measurements.



https://picasaweb.google.com/MacLowl...09465037374050

Still can't get that danged image posting thing down, but, anyway, a picture of my non-bespoke Sheriffmuir and my lovely companion- and the slight gap between my waistband and the bottom of my waistcoat.

As for where to find one of these jackets, sorry, I can only suggest the popular Internet Auction site...

[CMcG]

<snip>
I think about getting a waistcoat; what might you suggest?

Thanks for posting that pic MacBean. What a great score that jacket was!

I would agree with davidlpope that a tartan waistcoat to match your kilt would be smashing. But a black 3 button would also look good and be a bit more understated.

I'm sort of in the opposite boat; tartan and black waistcoats but no proper doublet. I've been wearing a Breamar jacket for formal events, which works but is a bit of a stretch...

<snip>
In the end, I figured out what I was after was not really offered, basically a streamlined version of the tailcoat based kilt jackets. I started with a modified Spencer tux jacket, basically a tailcoat with the tails cut-off, which can be seen in many of my photos here, and have recently started 'trial runs' with a modified tailcoat of my own design.

Sounds a bit like the "Laird Jacket" designed by our own NewGuise and now being offered by Sky Highland Outfiters:
http://www.skyehighlandoutfitters.co...rd_Jacket.html

I have a doublet from Clann Crois, bought from a commercial seller on eBay. I suppose it is an almost- Sheriffmuir,or maybe a Sheriffmuir variant. First, it has round buttons and it has bucket cuffs and there is no provision made to close it at all. But it is most assuredly non-bespoke, with a size label and off-the rack measurements.



Still can't get that danged image posting thing down, but, anyway, a picture of my non-bespoke Sheriffmuir and my lovely companion- and the slight gap between my waistband and the bottom of my waistcoat.

As for where to find one of these jackets, sorry, I can only suggest the popular Internet Auction site...

I posted the image for you MacLL... hopefully I will have some auction luck like you and MacBean!

[Bugbear]

I have a doublet from Clann Crois, bought from a commercial seller on eBay. I suppose it is an almost- Sheriffmuir,or maybe a Sheriffmuir variant. First, it has round buttons and it has bucket cuffs and there is no provision made to close it at all. But it is most assuredly non-bespoke, with a size label and off-the rack measurements.



https://picasaweb.google.com/MacLowl...09465037374050

Still can't get that danged image posting thing down, but, anyway, a picture of my non-bespoke Sheriffmuir and my lovely companion- and the slight gap between my waistband and the bottom of my waistcoat.

As for where to find one of these jackets, sorry, I can only suggest the popular Internet Auction site...

MacLowlife, I don't know what the picture is, but I thought the Sheriffmuir was closed at the neck with a loop, or perhaps a hook, between the buttons on either side.
I vaguely recall what it looks like from pictures I saw long, long ago.