Evening attire question

[David Thorpe]

It appears that I may be attending a Burns Supper this coming January. From what I can surmise, it looks like there will be many gents in PC's and maybe a few in doublets.
I have a very nice black wool Argyll with matching waistcoat and silver buttons nearing DIY completion, but no PC. Would this be suitable (no pun intended) with a wing collar shirt and black four-in-hand, or should I add "build a PC and vest" to my to-do list? I certainly do not wish to cause anyone any embarrassment, but that list is deep and this may be the only occasion for me to wear a PC.
What say the THCD-versed rabble?

[artificer]

An Argyll is fine for black tie. But rather than a wing collar AND straight tie (which would both BOOST the formality w/wing collar and REDUCE it - straight tie), you might wish to consider a full collared shirt (turned down collar, plain pique front - no pleats) and a basic black (self tied) bow tie.

If you're sold on the straight tie look, definitely go with the turned down collar.

HERE'S a pretty good guide to the basics of black tie.

ith:

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A black Argyle is what I generally wear for black tie events. I do not own a Prince Charlie and frankly never see myself doing so.

Your argyle waistcoat, which I assume to be 5 button, will be fine. But if you wanted to up the formality a bit, you could make yourself, or purchase, a three button waistcoat. (Of course you could also forgo the waistcoat altogether and wear a dress belt and waistplate, but I am a waistcoat kind of guy, myself).

Here are a few variations of how I wear my black Argyle for evening wear, with various waistcoat and tie options. Most of these have been taken at Burns Suppers over the years.

[fluter]

I see that Matt has elaborated our point, with visual aids, while I typed! I was saying: I'm with artificer. you could

a) wear the Argyll with a necktie and regular shirt (i.e. dressy day wear);
b) wear the Argyll with its standard vest, black bow tie, and a regular white shirt; or
c) make/acquire a 3-button PC style vest, and wear with bow tie, and plain white or formal white shirt. This looks even better with the bow tie, IMHO.

Being an auld curmudgeon, I prefer a fold down collar for black tie. However the wing collar is more often seen nowadays.

One of the great things about the black Argyll is that it can adapt to formal wear at any hour.

[David Thorpe]

Thanks for the link and pics. Matt, what's the tie in pics 3-5? A cravat? That's more what I had in mind when I wrote "four-in-hand". I should have said "Victorian four-in-hand".

[fluter]

Yes, that would be quite spiffy!

[davidlpope]

My suggestion is this:

Wear the black Argyll jacket with a matching black three-button waistcoat, spread collar formal shirt and black bow-tie.

I would forgo the PC if you do not already have one, and consider aquiring a regulation/sherrifmuir/montrose doublet if you will be attending many evening events where Highland attire is worn.

At Burns Supper in the US you'll see a dog's breaskfast of different attire- everything from doublets to poofy Pirate/Jacobite shirts... I don't think you can go wrong witht he black Argyll.

[ForresterModern]

As it seems Matt has shown in a couple photos the other alternative to either bowtie or straight tie is a cravat that can be picked up in any tuxedo store and worn with wing color shirt in lieu of a bow tie, and I think it looks great as an in between, kind of like the Argyll being pressed into service as a more formal jacket and waistcoat where a PC might be considered more appropriate but not absolutely necessary.

I think the combo's that work from a tie and shirt standpoint are: Winged collar with bowtie (standard with PC, alternative with Argyll), Winged collar with cravat (dressy with Argyll, probably not appropriate with PC), winged or turned collar with Ruche tie (I know many will hiss at this option---semi-dressy with Argyll, no-no with PC), and turned collar with straight tie (standard with Argyll). If I am going with a bow tie I prefer a dress-front tuxedo shirt and a low cut (3 button PC style) vest, with the other ties I prefer the high cut 5 button Argyll style vest.

One man's opinion.

[davedove]

I think the combo's that work from a tie and shirt standpoint are: Winged collar with bowtie (standard with PC, alternative with Argyll), One man's opinion.

I've never really liked this combo, although you see lots of folks doing it. I think, for black tie, the spread collar looks better with the bow tie. After all, when you see James Bond wearing a tuxedo, that's what he does.

[SlackerDrummer]

Just add "build a 3-button, bias-cut tartan vest" to your list.

Go with a black bow tie and whichever tuxedo shirt suits your fancy. I now prefer the straight collar, but I own the wing collar, so that's what I wear.

And braid that ponytail.