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.
I searched every October, November, December and January issue of "M" for the 'Why Not' feature of the tartan dinner jacket and nothing. Recently a reader asked me where he could find the August 1986 issue. When I pulled the issue I couldn't help but notice the ads and features were for winter clothing and wondered, "Why Not?" Flipped to the back and there it was. 
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