Cygnus Wears Black Tie!

[CMcG]

You know, I don't mind the ghillies as much as I thought I would - they're more comfortable than I thought. I really like the red laces as they make them a bit different from the norm.

As for the buckles, the secret in this photo is black electrical tape! I took them to the cobbler in December(ish) only to find a sign on the door that they were on holiday and wouldn't be back for a couple of weeks. I, unfortunately, haven't been back since.

The buckles themselves have a spring-loaded clasp system and originally fit over leather straps on the toes of a pair of court shoes. I'm hoping the cobbler can stitch similar straps to these. If not, I may take a stab at punching a few small holes and doing the stitching myself.

Keep us posted with what you decide on how to secure the buckles. I'm still pleased with the way I laced them on to mine (LINK), but am interested in other options...

[Panache]

It earns the Panache seal of approval! ith:

Cheers

Jamie

[creagdhubh]

You look absolutely smashing! Well done! I'm a big fan of Regulation doublets. Nice touch with the scarlet laces in your ghillies and the addition of the silver buckles. Great job on the Ian Grant sporran and kilt pin too. I currently have an evening sporran on order with Ian Grant:

Same style as the sporran shown below, but my details are a bit different: Silver Acanthus leaf cantle, black mink tassels with matching silver bells and body made of black mink, which has a very high sheen to the fur.


Cheers,

[Lime]

Splendid! I do like the "to close" configuration; it is just that little bit more elegant.

I've just received a new sporran chain from Ian Grant and my (high) expectations were surpassed.

[creagdhubh]

Splendid! I do like the "to close" configuration; it is just that little bit more elegant.

I've just received a new sporran chain from Ian Grant and my (high) expectations were surpassed.

I like the buttons configured that way too, always have. Is it possible to move one set of the three buttons that are at a diagnonal and affix them at the bottom of the doublet, and then just simply remove the other set of three buttons on the other side of the doublet? I would like to do that with my Kinloch Anderson Regulation doublet, but I am not sure if there will be any noticeable "marks" or blemishes where the buttons once were on the front of the doublet.

Here's what my doublet looks like now:



Excellent! This one by chance?



I've got this hallmarked beauty on order with my sporran.

Cheers,

[artificer]

looking great!

I do so very much like a turn-down collar with black tie. Much nicer than a wing collar IMO.

Have you considered a nice vintage silver kilt pin?

ith:

[Cygnus]

looking great!

I do so very much like a turn-down collar with black tie. Much nicer than a wing collar IMO.

Have you considered a nice vintage silver kilt pin?

ith:

Thanks, Scott. I almost bought a grouse-claw pin just before ordering the sporran and kilt pin, but decided against it at the last minute - claw pins tend to get the same sort of reactions as full-mask sporrans - some people love them, some people hate them. I also have a sterling silver "Celtic swan" pin that I use from time to time, but I really don't like changing kilt pins because it wears on the kilt, and, because you can't polish the pin on the kilt, the sterling silver started to tarnish, which was starting to rub-off onto the apron.

When you say "nice vintage silver kilt pin", what are you thinking? Do you have any examples?

[artificer]

Thanks, Scott. I almost bought a grouse-claw pin just before ordering the sporran and kilt pin, but decided against it at the last minute - claw pins tend to get the same sort of reactions as full-mask sporrans - some people love them, some people hate them. I also have a sterling silver "Celtic swan" pin that I use from time to time, but I really don't like changing kilt pins because it wears on the kilt, and, because you can't polish the pin on the kilt, the sterling silver started to tarnish, which was starting to rub-off onto the apron.

When you say "nice vintage silver kilt pin", what are you thinking? Do you have any examples?

Nothing specific in mind, no.

I just think that old silver has such a nice luster. Not nasty like chrome. The drawback, as you mentioned, is that old silver shouldn't be kept on the kilt.

I usually keep an eye on eBay for little bits and bobs. I almost scored an antique silver "dirk" kilt pin a short while back but it jumped a bit out of my price range right at the end.

ith:

[JSFMACLJR]

Very sharp...well turned out!