Trews and ... What?

[PlasticLoon]

EDIT - I was mistakenly using Arrochar when I should have been using Argyll. Arrochar is the material the jacket is made out of.

Good morning all,

I've had a search through past posts, but not been able to find anything which quite answers my question, so I thought I'd post here - please let me know if this is the wrong place.

My other half has very kindly bought me a set of trews, which were tailor-made. I then purchased a dark-blue tweed Arrochar jacket and 5 button waistcoat to go with them. We have a wedding to go to next month, and I believe that trews/Arrochar will make suitable day and evening wear.

I also have a number of formal events to go to over the next year and am wondering if a tweed Arrochar is entirely suitable for black tie events? My fiancée seems to think so, but I am something of a traditionalist and believe that black tie should be just that.

So my question is, should I just buy an ex-rental Prince Charlie jacket/waistcoat (the trews are fishtail and worn with braces), or is an Arrochar really acceptable?

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

PL

[Tarheel]

Well met PL. I believe you are correct with the wedding choice of tweed and trews. You may even go without the waistcoat for that event, unless you are a member of the ceremony (in my opinion).

I like a bit more "spit and shine" for a Black-tie gala, so I would consider an Argyll or PC jacket (cost prohibitive) for the other functions. There are things my wife knows about the "social environment" and apparel needs that I rely on. Most that have long marriages listen to those small, but potent, voices (as I try to do).

[OC Richard]

I personally prefer the look of an Argyll style jacket with trews, over a Prince Charlie.

Maybe it's because I'm used to seeing the cutaway style jackets worn with trews in the military. But a Prince Charlie is a bit like a Mess Dress jacket, and those are sometimes worn with trews too.

I see quite a few Drum Majors wearing trews, and they're usually wearing an Argyll jacket.

[MacCathmhaoil]

For the wedding the tweed jacket is fine. The black tie events will require either the Prince Charlie or the black barathea Argyll. I, like Richard, prefer the Argyll as it is a more versatile jacket than a Prince Charlie and a much better addition to the wardrobe.

[The Wizard of BC]

May I bring up a few points and ask for some help please.

I have seen the word Arrocher used as the name of the line of tweed fabrics by Marton Mills who make many of the jacket fabrics, but not to a style of jacket.
Would you post a picture of this jacket for me please.
If it is indeed a jacket style it will be the first I have heard of it and am intrigued.

In the past most of the advice from members of this forum has been that Tweed is considered casual day wear. I think this is the first time I have ever heard someone advise that it was suitable for formal events. Would someone be so kind as to post a photo of Tweed used as formal wear.

The prevailing advise has always been that Black Tie is Tuxedo equivalent. The advice has always been Tuxedo shirt (studs and cufflinks, not buttons) and black bow tie worn with either Black Argyle/Braemar/Crail jacket or Prince Charlie also in Black.

And a third 'first' for me is the idea of Argyle jacket paired with Trews. I can't remember ever seeing a photo of trews worn with anything but Prince Charlie or Doublet. Could someone post one please.

[PlasticLoon]

Would you post a picture of this jacket for me please.
If it is indeed a jacket style it will be the first I have heard of it and am intrigued.

Good evening Wizard, thank you for your reply. I have tried to attach a picture of the jacket to this post - I've had no luck with it so far. It is entirely possible that I have 'mis-named' the jacket, but the label attached to it when I took delivery of it had 'Style - Arrochar' on it, so I took that to be a common name for it. It may very well be an Argyll, so please excuse me if I've got it wrong.

[PlasticLoon]

Thank you all for your replies, they're much appreciated. I've attached a picture of the jacket for you to have a look at.

Having looked at a few more pictures, I think it may be an Argyll, not an 'Arrochar' as I originally thought. It looks fantastic and goes well with the family tartan (Ogilvie, apparently), so I'm very pleased with it.

As mentioned, I have a number of black tie events to go to every year and I don't want to look too out of place. Picking up a decent Prince Charlie jacket/waistcoat might have to be the plan!

[The Wizard of BC]

Maybe this will help.



All three of these jackets are basically the same. All are single button front with the cut-away for the sporran. All three have the same scalloped and buttoned pocket flaps. All have epaulettes either flat or braided.

The difference is the sleeve cuff.
The gauntlet style cuff is called the Argyle cuff and lends its name to the jacket.
The Braemar or placket cuff is the same as found on the Prince Charlie.
A single sleeve button on a closed cuff is called the Crail.

Either of these jackets may be made from a wide range of fabrics and still retain the name of the sleeve cuff treatment.

[MacCathmhaoil]

Here are some from Kinloch's website
http://www.kinlochanderson.com/men/h...artan-trousers

It appears to me that the jacket in this case seems poorly tailored for the model wearing it. I would have expected a greater attention to detail from someone of Kinloch Anderson's past reputation. I think properly tailored it would look significantly better. Perhaps one of resident Scots might provide some comment on the pairing.

[Steve Ashton]

Notice that the Kinloch Anderson jackets are not the same as Argyles.

From the description on the site.

"This style of jacket, unique to Kinloch Anderson, is slightly longer than a kilt jacket but shorter than a blazer or dinner jacket"

It has always been my understanding that the length of a suit coat is to hide the pucker in the rear caused by the trouser legs. This would seem to be neither fish nor fowl.

Also note that the trousers in these pictures are not trews. They have outside leg seams, and are cut differently in the front.