[Oldsarge]

During my years in the Army, formal-ish occasions caused me to break out my senior enlisted mess dress uniform. This is an example, though mine had a lot more gold braid because of my rank

Now I kind of like the short coat and would rather wear something like that instead of my tuxedo. However, I can't seem to find any civilian equivalent except for the tux. Is there any such? Currently I do wear my medals on my tux but it isn't quite the same and since I'm retired, it's not really within reg to wear the uniform, especially with the beard! Any ideas, anyone?

 

[Peak and Pine]

Could you rephrase this so I could understanrd at least some of it?

 

[Oldsarge]

Has there ever been a short coat semi-formal men's dress?

 

[vonSuess]

There are those short jackets I see worn with kilts at black-tie events...

 

[winghus]

You could always wear white tie.

 

[EclecticSr.]

They exist, tho' not very common. Sometime called an Eaton jacket I believe.
ebay or etsy might be your best bet also as vonSuess suggested shops that specialize in kilts.
.

 

[eagle2250]

My friend, I know USAF Regulations allow retirees to wear Dress Uniforms to 'appropriate' events, but the wearing of same must be done in accordance with current regulation(s). Consequently, I used to wear my Mess Dress Uniform(s) to selected events, but stopped doing so when my weight exceeded USAF weight standards. I suspect your beard may also be a show stopper. I thought all military services allowed such wear, as long as the wearer meets weight and grooming standards and wears the uniform exactly as prescribed.

 

[Mr. B. Scott Robinson]

At Highland games is the only time I have seen it.

Cheers,

BSR

 

[Charles Dana]

They exist, tho' not very common. Sometime called an Eaton jacket I believe.

Eton jacket. Google the term and you'll get a lot of information about that garment. Or wait for Matt Spaiser to chime in with what will undoubtedly be helpful knowledge and advice.

 

[Semper Jeep]

There are those short jackets I see worn with kilts at black-tie events...

That was my initial thought too. There's an older gentleman who goes to my church who wears a kilt and short jacket most Sundays.

 

[EclecticSr.]

Eton jacket. Google the term and you'll get a lot of information about that garment. Or wait for Matt Spaiser to chime in with what will undoubtedly be helpful knowledge and advice.

Yes, I confused the brand Eaton with Eton.

 

[Peak and Pine]

Could you rephrase this so I could understanrd at least some of it?

Has there ever been a short coat semi-formal men's dress?

Oh.
This may help, two words: bolero and ¡Carumba! (Lucy, I'm home.)

So's how about this...

 

[Charles Dana]

Yes, I confused the brand Eaton with Eton.

I can hardly blame you for having Eaton on the brain-Shirley Eaton is the actress who played the blonde bombshell who met her Maker after her entire body was covered with gold paint in the 1964 movie Goldfinger. So here's another Matt Spaiser tie-in.

 

[Oldsarge]

My friend, I know USAF Regulations allow retirees to wear Dress Uniforms to 'appropriate' events, but the wearing of same must be done in accordance with current regulation(s). Consequently, I used to wear my Mess Dress Uniform(s) to selected events, but stopped doing so when my weight exceeded USAF weight standards. I suspect your beard may also be a show stopper. I thought all military services allowed such wear, as long as the wearer meets weight and grooming standards and wears the uniform exactly as prescribed.

Exactly. Weight and grooming standards are what sink me.

 

[Oldsarge]

So, an Eton jacket . . .
Kind of like this . . .

Worth contemplating . . . though probably without the epaulets! Though in white, only appropriate before six. Blue might work . . .

 

[L. B. Goold]

Sadly, the civilian mess jacket is now largely consigned to livery, and is more likely than not to cause one to be mistaken for a waiter(a la Jeeves and Wooster).

I occasionally see people carrying them off well, but usually only after extensive adjustments and with a boiled-front shirt.

 

[Matt S]

Eton jacket. Google the term and you'll get a lot of information about that garment. Or wait for Matt Spaiser to chime in with what will undoubtedly be helpful knowledge and advice.

Eton jacket. Google the term and you'll get a lot of information about that garment. Or wait for Matt Spaiser to chime in with what will undoubtedly be helpful knowledge and advice.

I know it as a mess jacket, but Eton jacket is also a proper term. I would assume one wears it when eating an Eton mess.

 

[Guest]

I hadn't heard "Eton jacket," but that garment was a fairly common and acceptable black-tie variant (I believe in the late 30s and 40s).

There is a bit about them in Dressing the Man.

Today, L.B. Goold is right: you'll likely get mistaken for staff at best.

 

[Oldsarge]

I hadn't heard "Eton jacket," but that garment was a fairly common and acceptable black-tie variant (I believe in the late 30s and 40s).

There is a bit about them in Dressing the Man.

Today, L.B. Goold is right: you'll likely get mistaken for staff at best.

After looking at the photos on Google image, I kind of felt the same thing.

 

[richard warren]

Is one so insecure that he must worry about being mistaken for staff?

In many a case, it would be an undeserved compliment.