the insanity of matching tweed n'plaid

[Alexi]

ok so I have this jacket coming from a fellow FLer

would I be insane to try and wear it with trews in this pattern (set)?

a close up of the jacket

(i didn't throw this in the Highland thread due to it's no-trad mix)

 

[Panache]

Alexi,

Tweed and tartan on the whole go great together.

It does of course depend on the exact colors of both.

Looking at the jacket and the tartan swatch I think it should work.

What is the tartan by the way?

Also if they are high waisted "fish tail" trews then they are really meant for formal wear and to be worn with a Prince Charlie Coatee or regulation doublet.

If they are lower waisted or just tartan pants (trews fit tighter) then they are fine for day wear.

Post a picture of your ensemble and let's see

Cheers

Jamie

 

[Marc Chevalier]

would [it] be insane to try and wear it with trews in this pattern (set)?

Insane? Nope. Blecch? Yep.


.

 

[Creeping Past]

If it works, do it.

I have a different opinion on fishtails. IMO if you're slim you can get away with wearing them with belt/braces alone. If there's any belly, they may look better with a waistcoat. And whether they're worn formally or casually is down to you. Rules are good...for knowing when you're being yourself.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

If it works, do it.

True ... but it doesn't work, at least IMO.

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[Creeping Past]

True ... but it doesn't work, at least IMO.

.

I was witholding judgment on the basis that I can't see the colours/tones/patterns in the flesh. I'm very comfortable on this fence.

Edit: Oh, what the hell. Wear it once. Indoors. There you go, my first opinion.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I was witholding judgment on the basis that I can't see the colours/tones/patterns in the flesh. I'm very comfortable on this fence.

Understood and accepted.

For me, the final two photos are clear enough to form my opinion.


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[Matt Deckard]

Checks and tweed can be done yet... well you can do anything if you're in the right dimension.

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Tweed and tattersail were born together. I often pair mine with tartan ties. Live the dream.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Subtlety, tone and texture. You can just make sure the underlying colors compliment each other. With what you presented I am with Marc.

 

[Panache]

Gentlemen,

Another factor that we can't determine from the tartan swatch is what size is the sett (repeat) of the tartan compared with the pattern of the tweed jacket.

Wearing tartan is very different experience than most other fabrics. We men are not used to working with a lot of bold colors at once and our first instinct is to immediately surround the tartan with very subdued solid colors that match one of the thinner stripes or compliment one of the major ones.

However Ladies often put bold patterns and colors together for great effect. So don't be afraid to try.

I am very interested in seeing these two items worn together in a picture. They might not work, but if they do it is going to look splendid.

Tartan isn't for everybody, but when it is worn well it is very striking.

Cheers

Jamie

 

[dhermann1]

Thing is, when you try a combination like that, one has to be foreground, the other background. Both jacket or trousers can be either. But in this combination both patterns seem to be competing for attention. The plaid trousers really would look best with a solid jacket, and vice versa. But there are plenty of other tweed and plaid combinations that would be fine.
That's my HO.

 

[C-dot]

Hmm... I think it would work. The tan tones in the tweed match those in the tartan, and both patterns are on the same scale. If you wanted to wear some massive houndstooth I'd have to say no.

IMHO, it all depends on the scale when matching patterns. I once wore a brocade shirt, plaid vest, striped pants, polka dot shoes, and paisley scarf together - They were all medium sized and toned down, so it wore well.

 

[Alexi]

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

I was on the fence myself, and can't try them togethe 'cause I don't own the trews. I was considering having a pair made up but well i'm still not sure. It would be a $200 gamble.[huh]

oh and the tartan is weathered hunting stuart

 

[filfoster]

Tweeds and Tartans and other things that go bump in the night

Good God! you are all braver than I am!

 

[Forgotten Man]

I vote solid wool flannel or something of that kind. A light sage green or cream color would work best.

I fear that if I tried to do that I'd end up looking like two couches from the 70s had collided with each other. lol

 

[Feraud]

Don't take that $200 dollar long shot.

 

[reetpleat]

The mistake is repeatedly referring to this pattern as tweed. It is not a tweed pattern. It is a hounds tooth check pattern. Tweed is the fabric.

Now, a tweed in a subtle herringbone pattern might work, or a different, subtle pattern. I am not even sure if your coat is tweed or not. The trick is to have something that at a glance from a normal distance reads as solid, so you can then pair it with plaid pants.

As for your desire to combine a fairly patterned hounds tooth check with plaid pants, i vote no. Too busy top and bottom.

I do think your combo with sweater, and tan pants is spot on. Looks great.

 

[Alexi]

"The mistake is repeatedly referring to this pattern as tweed. It is not a tweed pattern. It is a hounds tooth check pattern. Tweed is the fabric."

oh i know the difference between tweed and hounds tooth

I'm thinking i may still get the trews made up and hunt down a solid jacket

 

[Feraud]

Hmm... I think it would work. The tan tones in the tweed match those in the tartan, and both patterns are on the same scale. If you wanted to wear some massive houndstooth I'd have to say no.

IMHO, it all depends on the scale when matching patterns. I once wore a brocade shirt, plaid vest, striped pants, polka dot shoes, and paisley scarf together - They were all medium sized and toned down, so it wore well.

I can see your example working for a woman's outfit but it would look bad on a man.