Tartan Vest

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

I was looking at J Higgins and saw they do a custom tartan vest for US$95. The price sounds pretty good to me, but they don't have any description. Maybe I should check the print copy of their catalogue I have lying around somewhere.

Does anybody have any experience with this item from J. Higgins?

Any other suggestions for where to get a tartan vest?

One problem comes to mind though, and that is matching the colourway.

As I said, I would like some feedback on having a tartan vest made.

[Jock Scot]

Usually the tailor will prefer to make the kilt and the tartan vest out of the same bolt of cloth so that the colours will match up exactly with each other.Being a wee tad cynical it is of course good business,from a tailor's point of view, to "killl two birds with one stone",so to speak.I have never been too convinced by that argument,as near colour matches can be made and in the varying light I hardly think any one would notice.I am talking of matching,for example,Lochcarron modern with Lochcarron modern of course.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Agreed about the weaver and the pattern from that weaver. The problem comes when you are trying to match from a weaver you don't know (e.g., my 25 year old kilt), or a weaver who no longer makes that pattern (e.g. my MoD Forbes from Robert Noble). You can come close, and people might not notice if you are at a formal setting with lower light (e.g., that Burns night supper).

[Jock Scot]

Humm,tricky!I suppose getting a new kilt and tartan vest to match, is out of the question?

[gilmore]

Two things come to mind: 1) getting a special custom weave done to match your kilt, or 2) never going out in them in the day time.

[gilmore]

So, what were formerly waistcoats are now vests in the UK?

[slohairt]

If you have the waistcoat/vest made on the bias (as you should!), the difference may not be as noticeable because people will concentrate more on the opposing set of stripes.

[Riverkilt]

Its been a couple years but Kathy Lare charged me $45 to make up my X Marks tartan vest at the same time she sewed up the kilt. Of course I sent the fabric. Tartan is only on the front, back is black, but her price included staghorn buttons.

Don't think you wanna buy overseas but guessing most any kiltmaker would/could make you a vest. And if you found the matching cloth you wanted somewhere you'd not have to worry about the color.

A project for sure...

Ron

And, I know...some prefer the vest tartan on the bias...

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

No, I was looking for a tartan undershirt (vest).

I guess since J. Higgins used the term vest for this post, it has become pretty much synonymous with waistcoat.

[Riverkilt]

Tartan undershirt...? Vest....?

Two great peoples seperated by a common language...

Ron