12 December 2009

Formal Week: The Tartan Dinner Jacket

Tartan Dinner Jacket from 1944

Altered by Chris Despos of Chicago

Pattern matching at pocket

I have to admit this wasn't the tartan I went looking for. I really wanted a subtle Black Watch but they're hard to find and this appeared on eBay just when I needed it. It was listed as a 44 Long so I had bespoke tailor Chris Despos of Chicago take a look at it. Chris doesn't do alterations anymore but he did me a favor and shortened it.

The wool is whisper light and perfect for a hot and crowded charity auction. I did get a lot of ribbing at the auction. I thought I might. It was Chicago after all but I had this sense of wearing history. Chris had found a tag putting the jacket's manufacture at 1944. I can't find it now but I know it's in there somewhere. It really doesn't matter. I know and that's enough. Tomorrow we'll wrap this up with formal accessories.

11 comments:

ADG said...

Damn strong.

tintin said...

ADG- I'm often mistaken for being in the band.

Belle de Ville said...

God, I so love that jacket!

Paul said...

Now THAT's A JACKET !!!

Love that it's from the 40s - Wear it in good health!

Richard M said...

http://books.google.com/books?id=wUkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA123&dq=plaid&as_pt=MAGAZINES&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html&cd=1

Anonymous said...

Do you wear the jacket or does the jacket wear YOU? ME

tintin said...

Richard M - Thank you for that link. Great stuff.

ME- You tell me.

Chris said...

Funny, I was at an event around Halloween where they thought I was in the band as well. I like to think it's because they were the only other well dressed (ish) people there...

RWS said...

Anyone who was ribbing you was just jealous that they didn't have the stones or the creativity to wear something like that.

janie said...

One of my fondest memories was going with my father to Chips, and hiding under the carousels, while he was being fitted for a black watch tux. I'm showing my age!

casual jackets said...

What a jacket very stylish.