What to (or not to) wear with your Kilt

[Mr. Woolery]

One expedient used by less affluent pipe bands (or bands in hot places) is not to wear a jacket. Use a long sleeved white dress shirt and wear a black waistcoat (vest). You may well find a good one at a thrift store, actually.

As to tie, the rule I like to use is that black never lets you down. Black vest, black tie, white shirt and you will look sharp. Cream hose will almost certainly work fine with the ensemble. However, would just a vest be too informal for this event?

My wife's rule of thumb is that if something looks appropriate for the occasion from the waist up, it will generally be acceptable with the kilt. So, for example, while lots of people love poofy "Jacobite" shirts, if such is not appropriate for the chosen venue when worn with trousers, it will not likely be appropriate with a kilt.

I'm going to say that some sport coats are cut lower than others. Try yours in front of a mirror and see what you think. I suspect that it will be too long, as others here are saying, but it is worth trying it on. If in doubt, have someone take a picture and post it here for advice.

There is also a thread with lots of discussion about formal wear with the kilt on the cheap. I seem to recall the idea of a waiter's tux jacket being easily made to work well. The cost was in the neighborhood of $30 for the jacket. Look for that thread for details.

-Patrick

[Gàidhlig]

Ok, I think I have almost all the info that I need except this.....


What is the difference in the sport coat, and an argyle jacket? Is it just the cut? Could I purchase a black sport coat at a thirft store, and modify it by, say...cutting the waist length shorter? What separates a sport coat, from an Argyle?
I have limited budget, and time...but my wife can sew like the dickens.

[Monkey@Arms]

Ok, I think I have almost all the info that I need except this.....


What is the difference in the sport coat, and an argyle jacket? Is it just the cut? Could I purchase a black sport coat at a thirft store, and modify it by, say...cutting the waist length shorter? What separates a sport coat, from an Argyle?
I have limited budget, and time...but my wife can sew like the dickens.

Mainly its about the cut. Shorter, and with room for the sporran. If you do a search for jacket conversions on the forum, you'll find detailed discussions as to how to go about converting a sport coat to kilt jacket, and lots of great photos of the work in progress. Good luck.

Best regards,

Jake

[Chef]

Ok, I think I have almost all the info that I need except this.....


What is the difference in the sport coat, and an argyle jacket? Is it just the cut? Could I purchase a black sport coat at a thirft store, and modify it by, say...cutting the waist length shorter? What separates a sport coat, from an Argyle?
I have limited budget, and time...but my wife can sew like the dickens.

As mentioned take a look at the jacket conversions, other than the extra decorating details (which you can pass on) there are three main differences. First is the length. The jacket should finish at approximately the bottom of the fell on your kilt. Second is the shape of the front; it curves away more than a sportcoat does. Lastly is the fit. A kilt jacket is a more fitted jacket than a sports coat.

If the event is a semi-formal I would pass on the black sport coat in favour of a dark tweed instead. You don't want the finish of the jacket to be too smooth as it will look a bit odd with the kilt and unless you find a black camel hair jacket a black sport coat will likely have the wrong finish.. A tweed give the texture that looks well with the wool of the kilt so the jacket you make will end up looking more traditional.

[McMurdo]

This is my Braemar jacket


This is one of my Argyll's


As you can see they both look different from a sport coat, they are shorter than a sport coat, and as M@A said above there is room for the sporran, also notice the difference in the sleeve detail, the pocket detail and the epaulettes.
Those are the differences and the reasons why a sport jacket does not work well with with a kilt.
I would still say see if you can rent what you need to complete the kilt outfit so that it will work for the wedding, best of luck with it.

[ian]

Make sure the tie is the proper length.

[Daaaaang]

Yeah, you'll definitely want to tie your tie shorter than with pants, or it looks pretty weird.

Also, in before somebody says they can't see a tie in that picture.

[rickmac15]

Yeah, you'll definitely want to tie your tie shorter than with pants, or it looks pretty weird.

Also, in before somebody says they can't see a tie in that picture.

in that picture, it actually looks a bit short. Shouldn't the tip of the tie touch the kilt?

[Chef]

in that picture, it actually looks a bit short. Shouldn't the tip of the tie touch the kilt?

It should, and that outfit also needs either a belt of a waistcoat.

[gilmore]

The problem with wearing a sport coat with a kilt, in addition to the ones already mentioned, is that it will almost always hang below the fell (the wides part of your butt, where the unsewn down pleats begin), interfering with the swing of the pleats.