The Tweed Argyll.

[Cygnus]

Great thread. I'm saving for a tweed right now - about 2/3 of the way there. There's a nice bluish one I've seen that goes nicely with the clergy blue tartan without being too "matchy-matchy". Haven't decided if I'll order the vest too since it goes with the clergy shirt or clergy vest well, but maybe for the little bit extra $$ it's just as well to have it. Whaddaya think, fellows?

If you think you might want a matching waistcoat in the future, I would buy one with the jacket. That ensures that they look like a set (and that the supplier is still making the waistcoat in the desired material!).

If you like the blue tweed, I'd keep an eye on the various auction sites; I've noticed that the Lovat blue seems not to be a very popular colour (I'm not sure why not, I like it just fine). I found my lovat blue tweed J. Higgins Argyll jacket brand new for about US$50 online, and I really wish I had been able to get a matching waistcoat!

[Father Bill]

Great thread. I'm saving for a tweed right now - about 2/3 of the way there. There's a nice bluish one I've seen that goes nicely with the clergy blue tartan without being too "matchy-matchy". Haven't decided if I'll order the vest too since it goes with the clergy shirt or clergy vest well, but maybe for the little bit extra $$ it's just as well to have it. Whaddaya think, fellows?

[davidlpope]

I'd go ahead and get the waistcoat made at the same time as the jacket. Mine comes in handy for cool late-season Games, etc.

David

[Spartan Tartan]

I'd go on and get the matching waistcoat as well. You may not wear it often, but when you do it'll be nice to have the option.

[ForresterModern]

I've two jacket/waistcoat combos on order right now myself which, unfortunately, will not arrive in time for the Kentucky Derby this weekend. Waah. Would have looked grand.

[OC Richard]

Tweed jackets, for saxon wear... are not really suitable for a UK wedding

Ah this is the crux of the issue I was bringing up!

So there does seem to be a complete divide between Highland and Saxon dress regarding jackets: tweed (of any sort) is suitable in Highland dress for occasions at which tweed would not be suitable in Saxon dress, this Royal Wedding being one of those very occasions, as morning dress or lounge suits were stipulated.

[Cygnus]

This whole thread has got me rethinking the idea that the black barathea Argyll jacket, as the "most versatile Highland jacket", is the best "starter" jacket for the newly kilted.

It seems that the tweed Argyll can and would be worn far more frequently than its silver-buttoned counterpart; particularly for your "average Joe" that only attends one or two black-tie events (if any) per annum. For Joe, the tweed jacket can be worn to business meetings, many day-time weddings, church, the local pub, dinner with the wife, and even to the royal wedding! The formal jacket, while it can be worn in those circumstances, would be like wearing a cut-away morning coat, and I have to say that I've never seen anyone wear such a jacket in the majority of those circumstances (with the exception of the weddings, of course).

I realize the evening Argyll isn't exactly like a morning coat, but its dual role of morning coat and dinner jacket still makes it a rare occasion that one can be worn without being a tad (or more) overdressed*.



* This is assuming that the buttons are not interchangeable with plainer ones for daywear.

[Jock Scot]

Ah this is the crux of the issue I was bringing up!

So there does seem to be a complete divide between Highland and Saxon dress regarding jackets: tweed (of any sort) is suitable in Highland dress for occasions at which tweed would not be suitable in Saxon dress, this Royal Wedding being one of those very occasions, as morning dress or lounge suits were stipulated.

--------and there I was thinking that was obvious and EVERYONE knew that!

[Dale Seago]

--------and there I was thinking that was obvious and EVERYONE knew that!

Jock, some of us ARE trainable. . .

[Jock Scot]

Ah this is the crux of the issue I was bringing up!

So there does seem to be a complete divide between Highland and Saxon dress regarding jackets: tweed (of any sort) is suitable in Highland dress for occasions at which tweed would not be suitable in Saxon dress, this Royal Wedding being one of those very occasions, as morning dress or lounge suits were stipulated.

Okay, I have had my bit of fun and I hope no one has taken umbrage.

However once you have read and re-read what OCR has said and grasped its significance, then you have the recognition and definition of the fundamental problem that many of you kilt wearers outwith the UK (some within too!) seem to struggle with. Understand it and I really do think that your kilt attire wearing decisions will be so much easier, if you so choose.