Surplus Ike jackets

[Spartan Tartan]

I am actually having a difficult time imagining it with a kilt. I like the style, but I'm also a military junkie...

[Thor271]

I am actually having a difficult time imagining it with a kilt. I like the style, but I'm also a military junkie...

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[Alan H]

Marlow White also sells Mess Dress Jackets, if I remember correctly. Oops...wrong sub forum!

[OC Richard]

I am actually having a difficult time imagining it with a kilt. I like the style, but I'm also a military junkie...

Remember that the so-called "Ike jacket" is merely a US copy of the British "Battledress" jacket, adopted in the 1930s. The Germans copied it too (the M44 jacket).

The Battledress jacket was widely worn with kilts by all the Highland regiments throughout WWII and through the Korean War. I have hundreds of photographs of Scottish troops wearing Battledress jackets with kilts... unfortunately none of them scanned onto my computer.

And, in the years following WWII, Battledress/Ike jackets became extremely popular amongst civilian pipe bands in the USA. I have seen dozens of photos of US civilian pipe bands from the 40s through the 60s wearing these jackets.

Reproduction Battledress jackets are available, in any size, and they look great with kilts. The introduction of the Battledress jackets was great for the kilted regiments, because it was already short and therefore didn't have to have a special short version made for the Scottish regiments.

[macwilkin]

Remember that the so-called "Ike jacket" is merely a US copy of the British "Battledress" jacket, adopted in the 1930s. The Germans copied it too (the M44 jacket).

The Battledress jacket was widely worn with kilts by all the Highland regiments throughout WWII and through the Korean War. I have hundreds of photographs of Scottish troops wearing Battledress jackets with kilts... unfortunately none of them scanned onto my computer.

And, in the years following WWII, Battledress/Ike jackets became extremely popular amongst civilian pipe bands in the USA. I have seen dozens of photos of US civilian pipe bands from the 40s through the 60s wearing these jackets.

Reproduction Battledress jackets are available, in any size, and they look great with kilts. The introduction of the Battledress jackets was great for the kilted regiments, because it was already short and therefore didn't have to have a special short version made for the Scottish regiments.

...or just watch Tunes of Glory.

T.

[OC Richard]

...or just watch Tunes of Glory.

T.

Yes indeedy! Ninety minutes of battledress jackets and kilts! The greatest "kilt movie" of all time.



And plenty of officers in Blue Patrol jackets too



"d'ye hae a wee lassie in toon?"

[Chas]

WOW - talk about live and learn! Before reading this thread I would have immediately said, without thinking, that the battledress top was traditional, not modern. The military wore them - they have to be traditional.

But, oh no, they are not. A twentieth century introduction!

We all look, but often don't see. In this case, I had seen, but wasn't aware.

Thanks Alan.

Regards

Chas

[Spartan Tartan]

Thanks OC Richard! I love the historical context. I really enjoy the history of military uniforms...interestingly enough, in the US Navy we have an "Eisenhower" jacket that we call an Ike jacket. However, it's worn as a casual jacket with any uniform and actually resembles a Members Only jacket (but with epaulettes). Black only.

I might have to pick up one of these, however, to wear with my kilt.

[macwilkin]

The US Post Office, US Forest Service and National Park Service also have worn (or are still wearing) variants of the Ike Jacket; I never bought one while I was in, but the Ike Jacket is an option for the NPS dress uniform, although it has a zipper, rather than buttons.

T.