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Product Description
The Wallace Jacket is a contemporary take on a kilt jacket. It features a much more modern look with a 3 button front, crail (single button) cuffs, no epaulettes and suit flap pockets.
This jacket is made in 15 oz plain black barathea material (what a typical kilt jacket is made from). With this model, you will also be able to customize your button preference from the choices given.
As this jacket is custom made at our tailor's in Glasgow, please allow 9 - 13 weeks for delivery.
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Measuring Instructions
STOCK Size measuring instructions:
The vast majority of our customers fit into a jacket that is a stock size (i.e. 44 Reg or 48 Long). To figure out which size will fit you best, follow the instructions below.
Chest Size
This measurement is best taken using a cloth tape measure, while wearing a t-shirt.
Lift up your arms and wrap the tape measure around your chest at the widest point (you can then put your arms down).
Breathe "normally" and don't over inflate or exhale too much.
Take the measurement (not snug) at the widest part of your chest.
Add 2" to 3" to that number to reach the next "even" number up. Example: If you measure 43 to 44, you would order a size 46. If you measure 41 or 42, you would order a size 44.
Short / Regular / Long5' 4" to 5' 9" - Short
5' 10" to 6' 1" - Regular
6' 2" to 6' 4" -LongIf you are taller than 6'4", contact us for an Extra Long or Extra Extra long.
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Reviews
Add Your Review- Great Product jossdr
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Quality Price Value I have the subdued buttons. I love the fit and look. Great in all three looks; vest only, jacket only, jacket and vest. I've dressed this up to formal and down to normal work wear and/or casual.
(Posted on 10/14/2014) - Fantastic jacket and vest Mikilt
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Price Value Quality The Wallace Collection jacket and vest are very smart. The kilt equivalent of a three-piece suit! I could not be happier. (Posted on 10/14/2014)
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Buyers Guide
PLEASE NOTE: Our jackets are made in the UK and tend to run a bit snug. If you normally wear a suit size 44 Reg, order a 46 Reg. If you wear a 48 Long, order a 50 Long.
Formality of Jacket Styles Guide:
There are several different styles of jackets (and vests) which span the scale from daywear to formal. This is a quick guide to our jackets and their appropriate level of dress.
Prince Charlie jacket and vest:
The Prince Charlie jacket and vest (also known as a PC Jacket) is worn for formal (black tie) events. In your mind, equate this jacket to a ‘tuxedo’ type outfit. Places you’d wear a tuxedo, a PC would be appropriate.
Argyll jacket (with or without vest):
This is one of the more versatile jackets. It’s a bit dressier than a Tweed jacket and less formal than a PC. In a situation calling for khakis and a blazer, the jacket (no vest) could be worn with the kilt and not be overdressed. When worn with the vest, the outfit could be worn in place of a ‘nice suit’. Also, the vest provides a bit of versatility in itself… you can wear it alone with a shirt and tie or leave off the tie and roll up your sleeves for a casual dressy look.
Tweed jacket (with or without vest):
Very similar in cut and style to the Argyll, this jacket and vest is made from tweed cloth, giving it a little bit of an ‘earthy’ or ‘natural’ feel. In Scotland, it’s still often worn to dressy functions (much like the Argyll), but here in America, we often relegate tweed jackets to ‘daywear’. That NEED NOT be the case. If you’re going to be a guest at a wedding, you would look perfectly fine in a tweed jacket and vest.
Brian Boru jacket and vest:
The Brian Boru jacket and vest is effectively the Irish equivalent of a Prince Charlie (see above)… it is worn for formal (black tie) events. In your mind, equate this jacket to a ‘tuxedo’ type outfit. Places you’d wear a tuxedo, you can wear a Brian Boru.
Kilkenny jacket (with or without vest):
The Kilkenny jacket and / or vest is effectively the Irish equivalent of an Argyll (see above). In a situation calling for khakis and a blazer, the jacket (no vest) could be worn with the kilt and not be overdressed. When worn with the vest, the outfit could be worn in place of a ‘nice suit’. Also, the vest provides a bit of versatility in itself… you can wear it alone with a shirt and tie or leave off the tie and roll up your sleeves for a casual dressy look.
Welsh Prince Charlie jacket and vest:
The Welsh PC jacket and vest are similar to their Scottish Prince Charlie counterpart, but differ in the details… they have gold buttons (not silver), red dragons embroidered on the epaulette and come with or without Welsh tartan accents. Like the Scottish PC jacket, they are worn for formal (black tie) events. In your mind, equate this jacket to a ‘tuxedo’ outfit. Places you’d wear a Tuxedo, you can wear a Welsh PC.
The Doublet:
These are worn mostly by pipe bands and military organizations for formal dress. They would be worn in place of a military dress outfit.
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Availability
This item is custom made in Scotland and will take roughly 9-13 weeks to ship.
We often say that the Argyll jacket and vest is the essential go-to of Highland Wear. But is it? And what exactly is an Argyll jacket anyway?
While most people will assume the Argyll is a black jacket with shiny metal buttons and epaulettes, the term actually applies to more than that particular configuration. The term Argyll jacket was coined many many years ago by the Highland Dress industry to differentiate a basic suit jacket they sold from regular "Saxon wear" jackets. It was a shorthand for something that "looked Scottish."
In practical terms, this meant a jacket that incorporated certain elements of traditional Highland doublets, which were an outgrowth of Victorian military clothing. The elements that define a basic Argyll jacket are:
- Epaulettes, braided or flat
- Decorative cuffs with buttons combined with raised stitching, piping or applique. The most common form is the "gauntlet cuff"
- Flap pockets with decoration that matches the jacket cuffs
- Double venting (all Highland Wear jackets are double-vented as single vents look bad with the kilt)
Notice we did NOT list the fabric or color. An Argyll jacket may be made form any jacket fabric. The black barathea wool we are used to seeing is the most common since it allows the jacket to be used for anything from day wear to evening wear. The next most common fabric is tweed. Most tweed kilt jackets are in fact styled as "Argyll" but use non-shiny buttons of some sort (antler is most common).
So, yes, the basic black Argyll set is still a great first jacket for any kilt wearer, but the Argyll _style_ is broad. The appointments do exactly what they are intended to do - they scream "this is traditional Gaelic fashion not English."
However...Do you have to go this way? Not at all.
Enter the Wallace Kilt Jacket.
The Wallace jacket, or contemporary kilt jacket, is actually something of a throw-back to Edwardian times. Before the 1920s, if you wanted a jacket to wear with your kilt, you had two basic options:
A. A doublet, ala the military or bagpiper look
B. "Make me a suit jacket cut short to go with my kilt"
If you look at 19th and early 20th century photos, you will see a wide variety of interpretations - some of the doublets look very close to what the Argyll would become. Some jackets look just like what any Victorian gentleman might wear, just a bit shorter. And sometimes not even that, especially if you were a working man like a professional Ghillie.
In the last forty or so years kilt wearing has gained huge popularity and once again become more of a daily option - no merely a "special occasions only" sort of thing. This has led to gentlemen wanting something less stuffy, more streamlined, and basically simpler as a jacket choice. Tailors got more requests like "make me an Argyll, but leave off all those bits and bobs."
It became clear that a standard 'off the peg' option was desired and the style now called 'Wallace' was re-invented. The Wallace Kilt Jacket has a sleeker line than the Argyll with a three-button closure and smaller lapels. There are no special decorations, though shiny metal buttons are an option. Instead, the shape of the jacket itself, and the barathea wool do the talking. Similarly, the matching vest is unadorned.
The Wallace is not quite dressy enough for Black Tie events, but otherwise is a great all-around kilt suit jacket. If it is not your Number One choice, it may be your Number Two as you expand your kilt wardrobe.
CUSTOM Wallace jackets can be made. Please write for more information.
Product ID:1226