What jacket to combine with a skirt during fall/winter

[marc4711]

Hi everyone,

I just joined 5 minutes ago, but would like to post a question to you guys that I haven't found an answer to (yet).

I have bought a knee-length, grey wool skirt (this one), which I would like to wear during fall/winter.
I can imagine wearing it together with a turtleneck sweater, woolen tights and boots (and this could look ok up to that point), but I just can't find a jacket that matches well.

Problem is: All jackets I've found so far are too long. Whereas women often combine shorter blazers or leather jackets with such a skirt (the jackets hemline normally ends where the top of the skirt starts, see example here), all the men's jackets are about 4" - 5" longer, so they cover a large part of the skirt, which looks odd. Due to the longer jacket, only a small part of the skirt is visible, which makes it look as if someone didn't really know what jacket to put on and just grabbed one that was available.

So my question is: What type of jackets are you combining with it when wearing such a skirt? (if you don't care at all how it looks, please don't answer )

A related question: I've also got tall boots sitting here (picture), which I have worn on top of skinny jeans. Do you think it would be too much wearing these + wool tights + that skirt in one outfit? Would that already look too feminine?

I am aiming for a look like this guy, but a little more refined, i.e. shirt/turtleneck tucked in, plain black woolen tights instead of argyle style ones, nicer boots, shaved... Then again, it's not summer here, so I am still missing the jacket.

I've looked at women's jackets, but I haven't found any yet that aren't anatomically formed for certain body parts I don't have, so this would look odd. So that's not an option, unless you show me a jacket that doesn't have bust darts...

Cheers,
Marc

[Kilted_John]

Have a jacket shortened to the correct length by a tailor. That would probably be the simplest way of getting what you want. Or, buy a leather jacket and wear that. Won't be as business-like, but might go better with the outfit.

-J

[Since1982]

I'd say the jacket style would have to depend on the type skirt. Perhaps one that would look as if it was a "Skirt suit"..

[Kirbstone]

The Scottish kilt purveyors all offer a range of male-cut short jackets in a bewildering range of formal and informal styles specifically for wearing over kilts. Problem there is that they all charge serious money for them as well.
They do look very nice, though, and the skirt you propose to wear would pass for, and cost a fraction of the price of a kilt.

Tom K.

[r.m.anderson]

The short kilt jackets are commonly called "Prince Charlie" or "Argyle" for formal occasions.
For less than formal; everyday wear there is the Crail.
All of these require a vest to compliment the jacket.
Try this LINK to ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R4 ... Categories

Yes the jackets can be expensive - very expensive but also note that some can be had for maybe
a price that is within your budget. If you see a notation that the jacket was 'exhire' that means the
jacket was previously used (think of a tuxedo rental place) and some of these can be bought real economically.

As previously posted think about converting a blazer jacket to a kilt or skirt jacket.
Visit a tailor alterations shop for ideas then compare prices to ready made.
Consider a thrift or goodwill/salvation army store for getting a jacket that you could cannibalize
into a very inexpensive but acceptable piece to wear.

Something else to factor in is pockets. With ready made the pockets are small taking a small digital
camera (about size of a pack of cigaretts) a lighter or small set of keys and as such would require
a sporran formally or a man bag less formal for more stuff.
With a converted blazer you would at least have the two inside breast/chest pockets which could hold
a great deal more stuff. The outside pockets will be rendered as almost useless with the shortening of
the hem of the jacket. The pockets on womens jackets are all show and usually are sewen shut.

"Kilted-With-Ideas"
rma

[SkirtedViking]

I've looked at women's jackets, but I haven't found any yet that aren't anatomically formed for certain body parts I don't have, so this would look odd. So that's not an option, unless you show me a jacket that doesn't have bust darts...

Cheers,
Marc

Seen many women on the street with masculine tops,works for them,somehow I guess.What is looking odd is just in someone's mind and point of view,most often people follow stereotypes.Imagine if it was not normal to see females in all masculine apparel how it would have looked to you seeing one on the street.Women's clothing generally emphasizes on the body,no matter the shape and sometimes helps the figure to look thiner.Upper clothing can enhance your chest and fit tight on your upper body.

[Reject76]

Hello Marc

All-in-all, I get the feeling that you know what you're doing. I think the things you're putting together will match each other very well and not be too feminine.

As for the jacket, I have similar problems. After looking around quite some time, I finally managed to find an old US aviation-style leather jacket that ends at a reasonable length. I found it in a thrift store and it is getting a bit worn now, so I also need to find something new to match.

Many women tend to wear a jacket similar in length to a gentlemens duffle coat (example here). I.e. the jacket will end a few inches above where the kilt/skirt hemline end. On women, this looks very neat imho. On men...well...I'm yet to be convinced...

Anyway I guess my point is: a good leather jacket may do the trick

[crfriend]

As for the jacket, I have similar problems. After looking around quite some time, I finally managed to find an old US aviation-style leather jacket that ends at a reasonable length. I found it in a thrift store and it is getting a bit worn now, so I also need to find something new to match.

Another article that could fit the bill -- assuming you can find one -- is the army version of the classic "bomber jacket" that Reject76 mentions. These are typically called "Ike" or "Eisenhower" jackets after the chap that popularised them. I have my grandfather's, but it's in very sad shape. It might well go with some of my skirts; I may have to give it a go.

[r.m.anderson]

For a short leather jacket check with a police security store.
The jackets have to be short enough to allow access to the
utility belt with firearm; flashlight; handcuffs etc.
Ebay may have something but expect hefty shipping charges
leather isn't exactly lightweight stuff.
There are leather shops that will custom make what you need
but that is an expensive route.

rma

[marc4711]

Hi,

thanks everyone for your replies!
I am sorry that I didn't answer earlier, but I had caught a severe cold which I first had to get rid of.

I've looked at various options:
- Shorten a jacket: This was my first thought, but finding a jacket that can be shortened in itself isn't that simple. Most jackets do have pockets at a certain distance to the hemline. If you shorten the jacket, the pockets cannot be moved. Thus the pockets (visually) move very close to the hemline. Finding a jacket that can be shortened is a challenge in itself.

- Kilt jacket: I've looked at some Argyle / Prince Charlie jackets on ebay. I even found a vintage one that I liked very much, but which wasn't available in my size. I looked at various websites with dozens of kilt jackets... if I am visiting the UK again, I will probably get one tailor made. Many of the jackets you can order as ready-to-wear do have certain buttons that are very unique - I guess "typical" kilt jacket buttons. Whereas the typical kilt-wearer may like these, I personally don't. I am searching an everyday blazer with the regular buttons my other blazers have. With a tailor made one, I can change the design, with the ready-to-wear, I can't. As I said... when I am in the UK...

- Duffle Coat or Eisenhower jacket: I had the same idea and bought a nice Eisenhower-styled jacket just about two weeks ago. I really had bought it with the skirt in mind, but when I tried these two in combination at home, I noticed what I didn't like about this combination: The jacket wasn't fitted / waisted / slim-fitting, so it was more a rectangular shape looking from the front. That way I learned that I actually do prefer something that is more fitted for combining it with a skirt. I also own a duffle coat, same problem.

I also had bought a blazer which did fit the material of the skirt and was slim-fit, but turned out to be too long to actually work with the skirt. So... after two weeks I didn't advance very much in finding something to go with the skirt, but have already bought another jacket and another blazer (both very nice, I will keep them, but they don't really fit with the skirt). Yikes.

So... I've decided to sew something simple that I can wear with the skirt: A padded vest. I've looked at various vests that are for sale online, and found one where I like the way the quilting seams are arranged. See photo here. I even considered buying it, but as the vest is from the women's department, it has so called "princess seams" that make room where I don't need any extra space. So I started drafting the pattern on my own, minus the front panel that covers the zipper and minus any pockets, as I am a) lazy and b) won't ruin how the vest looks by putting in all of my stuff just to have pockets that bulge to the outside.
To be honest: I've already sewn many things, but I've never sewn anything that had a padding inside. So I first did a draft pattern, which looked good, and then started working on the vest. Here's a pic with yesterday's status:


Sorry for the bad quality, I don't have a photo-studio at home, so I just put it on the floor while the sun was shining.

Today I put together the front and back-pieces, attached the collar, sewed the padding to the seam allowances and put in the zipper temporarily (I am still making minor adjustments to it). Here's the current status (upper picture: inner padding, no longer visible when vest is finished; lower picture: outer side of vest):



It may still look unfinished to people who are not sewing as a hobby, but at this stage, I am confident that I will be able to finish it very nicely. After the zipper is in, I still have to put in the lining, finish up the armholes and the hem.
It turns out that the quilting seams cause the overall fabric to "shrink" a little, so the draft that originally had a bit more slack now fits tight in the finished product. If I were to do it again, I would probably add 1 - 2 centimeters around the belly, so it wouldn't be as snug.
Still... the vest has the optimal length to go with the skirt, and with it really being "slim-fit" and using a not-so-thick padding, I also don't look like the typical "Michelin" man when wearing it. Of course I've already tried it on together with the skirts and was jumping up and down in joy in front of my mirror. Finally - something that really looks good, like it was made for it...

Regarding a jacket: I've just ordered this jacket from Yoox, which I hope will fit with the skirt. It is slim-cut, and may also be shortened a little more if needed without having to pay attention to any pockets.

I will keep you updated

Cheers,
Marc

[marc4711]

Hi everyone,

I just finished the vest that is cut in a length / fitted that it works with a skirt. I will also post a couple of pics (probably this weekend) how it looks together with a skirt.







By the way... the jacket I ordered from Yoox looks really really good combined with a skirt. I have already worn it the last weekend for grocery shopping.
Cheers,
Marc

[SkirtRevolution]

Seriously!!!! that looks great.....10 points for your skills. I couldn't even thread a sowing machine. this is great craftmanship!

[r.m.anderson]

SkirtRevolution:
Pardon for this humour:
No wonder you can not thread a sewing machine - you are using the wrong s'o'wing machine.
You won't be threading a machine that is used to sow seeds in the ground.
I was thinking a bit further maybe the key he meant to hit was next to the O on the querty;
but alas the right hand would not know what the left was meant to hit - O to the right E to the left.

And about the construction of this vest/jacket - excellent work a talent not everyone has !

"Kilted-But-Not-Querty"
rma

[SkirtRevolution]

r.m.anderson,

Crap, so thats what I have been doing wrong, it all makes sense now.....I need to get a sewing machine!!! lol

[ethelthefrog]

My srwing machine is broken. I was thinking about getting a swwing machine, but we already have a swing in the garden...

Choices choices...