Doublet (Highland dress)

The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland

Full Dress showing red doublet jacket of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders
2nd Lieutenant Donald Callander

Calgary Highlanders Pipes and Drums with later CDS General John de Chastelain (left), 30 June 1990

Doublet is the term describing a type of jacket worn with Scottish highland dress; referring to both uniform and evening jackets.

The uniform jacket is short cut with four Inverness flaps skirt and buttoned gauntlet cuffs. It can be any colour depending upon the regiment. It is also used by civilian pipe bands .

Toronto Scottish Regiment Presentation of Colours March Off

Formal Jackets

Advertisement for Highland dress depicting a variant of the double breasted Sheriffmuir Doublet.

This garment is similar to a mess jacket, with buttoned gauntlet cuffs, short or no skirts, and with or without lapels. It may have a row of silver heraldic buttons on each side. It may be worn with a lace jabot and cuff set, and a high-buttoned waistcoat. It is typically made of velvet or wool, with satin lapels, and may feature epaulettes. The highland doublet is jacobean in style and may date to that period or earlier. Variation may be called an Argyll jacket or Prince Charlie jacket (or coatee).

The Regulation kilt doublet is a typically black double-breasted jacket with satin peaked lapels, buttoned gauntlet cuffs, and epaulettes, similar to the Prince Charlie coatee, which it pre-dates. Unlike the coatee, which is cut like a mess jacket, the doublet has braided "tashes" (otherwise known as Inverness skirts/flaps) at the front and back. The Regulation doublet was at one time the regulation uniform jacket of the Highland regiments, and is worn with a three-button waistcoat which may be made from the same cloth as the jacket.

The Balmoral Kilt Doublet is a double-breasted jacket traditionally made from velvet. It is usually worn with a belt and black bow tie. It may be worn for both black tie and white tie events.

The Kenmore kilt doublet is a single-breasted jacket, worn buttoned up (no lapels) and without a waistcoat. It is traditionally made from velvet and is always worn with a belt, lace jabot and cuffs. It may be worn on all formal occasions. It is named after the town of Kenmore which lies at the east of Loch Tay.

The Sheriffmuir kilt doublet is a double-breasted jacket with gauntlet cuffs and a stand collar with no lapels. It is typically worn open with a waistcoat, lace jabot and cuffs. Sheriffmuir lies between Dunblane and Stirling overlooking the Allan Water. In 1715 a battle was fought here between the Jacobites under the Earl of Mar and the Government forces under the Duke of Argyll.