formal jackets and the cookie cutter aversion

**sydnie7** · 25th October 09, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

And by the way, I suggest a five or six button waistcoat along with jabot and cuffs for evening attire.

Methinks Mr. Crocker neglected the "smilie" after this statement

**Bugbear** · 25th October 09, 11:27 AM

I suppose it helps that you are up there in the north most of the time.

I haven't looked too much into the Montrose discussions and descriptions because it's too hot for one down here.

I think if I were going to have a formal doublet it would be cut like an Argyle or aSheriffmuir .

**Garry Oak** · 25th October 09, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

...the tailor looked me square in the eyes and said " .....if you want a jacket as you described you should have known not to come here, in this part of the world, the West Highlands, if you want a kilt jacket made by me, THIS is what you get---nothing else."

That's wonderful. You knew how to choose the right tailor even though your account suggests that, at 20, you might not yet have had 'everything else' sorted out. You put yourself into the hands of a man whose motto seems to have been, "No one leaves my shop looking wrong."

Thank you for that example, sir.

**MacLowlife** · 26th October 09, 06:15 AM

Thanks, Jock Scot,

As a friend of mine often says "Ain't it, dough."

I was interested, in my quest for a PC of a different color, to see blue ones offered from time to time on eBay, and even the evil hire companies offering them in burgundy and bottle green. K-A show a wide range of options, they just all cost 400 pounds.

Someone has already observed elsewhere that the used / ex regimental goods are almost always fairly small- 36 and 38 chest. As someone who was there, do you remember any UK WWII vets being large men- 6'2" and taller, 46" chests and the like? Or has widespread nutrition brought about a race of giants only in the last 30 or 40 years? Something tells me there are more Montrose doublets available for those who have maintained staunch waistlines than for those of us who haven't.

**Jock Scot** · 26th October 09, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Thanks, Jock Scot,

As a friend of mine often says "Ain't it, dough."

I was interested, in my quest for a PC of a different color, to see blue ones offered from time to time on eBay, and even the evil hire companies offering them in burgundy and bottle green. K-A show a wide range of options, they just all cost 400 pounds.

Someone has already observed elsewhere that the used / ex regimental goods are almost always fairly small- 36 and 38 chest. As someone who was there, do you remember any UK WWII vets being large men- 6'2" and taller, 46" chests and the like? Or has widespread nutrition brought about a race of giants only in the last 30 or 40 years? Something tells me there are more Montrose doublets available for those who have maintained staunch waistlines than for those of us who haven't.

Well yes and no, my father and his six brothers were all well over 6ft, but I don't think they would have had 46 inch chests in the 1940's! The Sheriffmuir is quite the best for expanding waistlines------sadly my waistline has exceeded the leeway that even my Sheriffmuir can give!

**Phil** · 26th October 09, 08:09 AM

I have a lovely green velvet Montrose that I have sadly outgrown and would dearly like to shrink back into. But then I would have to have my kilts re-modelled along with my other jackets so I think I will stay as I am!

**be da veva** · 26th October 09, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Phil

I have a lovely green velvet Montrose that I have sadly outgrown and would dearly like to shrink back into. But then I would have to have my kilts re-modelled along with my other jackets so I think I will stay as I am!

Ahem...

Is that lovely green velvet Montrose available for some of us who hasn't outgrown it??

**Phil** · 27th October 09, 05:56 AM

Deleted

**Bugbear** · 26th October 09, 08:50 AM

A long time back, I remember seeing a velvet jacket, not a kilt jacket, that was an extremely dark red. It looked black except the luster of the velvet had a red tent. I guess velvet does that.

**MacLowlife** · 26th October 09, 05:25 PM

MONEY ( or advice) WHERE MOUTHS ARE, PLEASE

This is only slightly OT... I received in the mail today a dark blue velvet jacket- blazer cut, but slightly short for me. NOT short enough for kilt wear, but short ( and cheap ) enough for modification to be in order. I took a seam ripper to the open patch pockets and the sleeve cuffs. The pockets left pretty severe ghosts, but the sleeves could be hemmed as they are. The lapels are moderate, with a notch.

Those of you who dislike the cookie cutter are being asked how to make this one anything but...

My thinking is this would be a great candidate for some tartan facings, as we have sometimes seen on mess jackets.

I have three questions:
1) silk or wooly facings?
2) Black watch or Royal Stewart?
3) What style / length ( Argyle, Kenmore, Dress Mess)?

OK, actually four- just how much to actually put on the facings: cuffs, lapels, collar and lapels...If it ends up Argyle, what about pocket flaps?

As is, the body fits perfectly for a Kenmore, though I'd have to add some more buttons and buttonholes. A belt would go a long way to hide the ghosts of the pockets, but so would pocket flaps. There is probably sufficient velvet to make flaps and maybe gauntlet cuffs if the tartan facings get voted down.

Let the wild rumpus begin.