Argyll Kilt Jacket

[JBfromBS]

Hey all,

I would like some advice on an Argyll jacket. I would love to be able to buy a jacket that is good for day, evening, and "formal", but don't know if this is possible. Do you think the black ones with silver buttons are too "dressy" for daywear? Does wearing the waistcoat make any difference on whether it is appropriate for daywear or not? What about the cuffs, are the straight cuffs or gaunlet cuffs more appropriate? I know the tweed ones are definitely good for daywear, but are they good (even a charcoal one) for dressier occasions? Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions!

Joe

[macwilkin]

Hey all,

I would like some advice on an Argyll jacket. I would love to be able to buy a jacket that is good for day, evening, and "formal", but don't know if this is possible. Do you think the black ones with silver buttons are too "dressy" for daywear? Does wearing the waistcoat make any difference on whether it is appropriate for daywear or not? What about the cuffs, are the straight cuffs or gaunlet cuffs more appropriate? I know the tweed ones are definitely good for daywear, but are they good (even a charcoal one) for dressier occasions? Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions!

Joe

I would think the charcoal tweed day jacket would work well for day or evening, given the colour, or at least a nice alternative to purchasing a PC, etc. It really depends on how many "formal affairs" you attend. At our Burns Supper, you see a fairly even mix of suits, blazers, Highland day wear and evening wear.

And personally, I like the look of a gentleman wi' a waistcoat -- get an inexpensive pocket watch wi' a chain, and you have a very classy look!

Take a look at Hector Russell's tweed jackets:

http://www.hector-russell.ca/jackets4.html

Cheers,

Todd

[KMacT]

My opinion, based on what would be appropriate with a pant and suit jacket, is that first, there is a distinction between "formal" and "semi-formal." I believe that you are refering to semi-formal. A formal affair would require a tux or with a kilt, a Prince Charlie jacket, I would think. Semi-formal is as dressed up as most of us ever get, I expect. To date I have not attended any events that required truly formal dress. A waistcoat does not turn an Argyll jacket into a formal jacket. But it does dress it up and it is more towards the formal end of the spectrum.

Second, if you would feel comfortable attending some event with a jacket (black, grey, tweed, whatever) and regular pair of pants, then that same jacket should also be fine with a kilt (although you will want to make sure the colours in the kilt don't clash with the jacket).

Third, I can't imagine any semi-formal occasion, be it a wedding, funeral or office party, that a charcoal grey tweed argyll jacket and kilt wouldn't be appropriate. I would expect the same to apply to most tweed colours as well, but the more sombre the event, the less likely I'd be to wear a bright colour (but that goes back to my second point).

There you go. Free advice and worth every penny!

Kevin

[Colin]

I got a charcoal tweed argyle and waist coat from www.scottishkilts.net and was extremely happy with the service and the product. I have also not found better prices yet (for jacket and waistcoat) anywhere. http://scottishkilts.net/products/sc...waistcoat.html

I went with the charcoal, as it does cover most bases (day and evening).

[David Thornton]

I have a black argyll and I have worn it at a wedding, with a tie, and kilt. Very nice semi formal look. My wife still get's compliments from her cousin (the bride).
I have worn the same kilt & jacket with tux shirt & black bow tie at a black tie affair & I was the hit of ball. I did not buy a PC because I don't expect to wear the formal get up more than once a year (decade).
Seems like a great alternative to buying multiple jackets.
David

[Cawdorian]

I was contemplating the purchase of an Argyle Jacket, most of the Kilt advice we get advises us to start with an Argyle as it seems to be the most adaptable. You have me thinking about the charcoal grey tweed, but most of the tweeds usually cost more than the Argyles.

I really can't think of an occasion when I would need anything formal, maybe the charcoal tweed is a great option. :-o

Jim

[Cawdorian]

I took a look at Scottish Kilt's website, that is a good price for a tweed jacket, that is just about what I expected to pay for the Argyle. It looks like the waistcoat is included in the deal. I am sure the shipping cost is $35 or $40, but it still a good deal.

How did the jacket size compare in fit to our american sizes?

Jim

[JBfromBS]

I have a black argyll and I have worn it at a wedding, with a tie, and kilt. Very nice semi formal look. My wife still get's compliments from her cousin (the bride).
I have worn the same kilt & jacket with tux shirt & black bow tie at a black tie affair & I was the hit of ball. I did not buy a PC because I don't expect to wear the formal get up more than once a year (decade).
Seems like a great alternative to buying multiple jackets.
David

That is what I was thinking, also. I think the black one with the silver buttons would look great with a regular tie and vest at weddings (not if you're the groom, of course ) and other semi-formal events AND also be alright to be worn with a wing-collar shirt and bow tie at black-tie events. What I am wondering is would it be too dressy at daywear type events (with the silver buttons and all)? I definitely cannot see buying a PC, because it is so rare where I would need it, and it really cannot be worn other than a "formal" event. (Although there is a great deal on them on eBay right now,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1)
I agree that with the charcoal tweed Argyll it would be outstanding at any day/evening event, but there is just no way it could be worn at a black-tie event. Maybe it would be best to buy this type, and rent a PC when needed?

Anyway, thanks for the advice and opinions so far. Keep 'em coming, I definitely value you guys' thoughts! 8-)

Joe

[Alan H]

I have to ask you, how many black-tie events do you go to?

I'm a musician and have probably worn a tuxedo more than the overwhelming majority of people on this board, but still and all, non-concert black tie events, well. If I go to one in five years it'd be stretching it. I'm not going to buy a $300 jacket to wear to one event in five years.

Now, a charcoal tweed Argyle...THAT is a versatile piece of kit. Black just screams "formal", but charcoal is pretty dressy, too. I cannot imagine but that a charcoal tweed Argyle would look fantastic at any number of events.

As for cuffs, well, this is just my personal opinion, eh? Gauntlet cuffs and all look really great, but they are somewhat type-forming, perhaps, dare I say it, "anachronistic"? This is just my humble opinion, of course. Others may bristle at that word! LOLOL

If I were choosing to purchase a kilt jacket, I would choose a Braemer style jacket with plain cuffs. I'd get it in charcoal tweed, and match it with oatmeal gray hose and be dressed to the nines. But that's just me.

[macwilkin]

I have to ask you, how many black-tie events do you go to?

I'm a musician and have probably worn a tuxedo more than the overwhelming majority of people on this board, but still and all, non-concert black tie events, well. If I go to one in five years it'd be stretching it. I'm not going to buy a $300 jacket to wear to one event in five years.

Now, a charcoal tweed Argyle...THAT is a versatile piece of kit. Black just screams "formal", but charcoal is pretty dressy, too. I cannot imagine but that a charcoal tweed Argyle would look fantastic at any number of events.

As for cuffs, well, this is just my personal opinion, eh? Gauntlet cuffs and all look really great, but they are somewhat type-forming, perhaps, dare I say it, "anachronistic"? This is just my humble opinion, of course. Others may bristle at that word! LOLOL

If I were choosing to purchase a kilt jacket, I would choose a Braemer style jacket with plain cuffs. I'd get it in charcoal tweed, and match it with oatmeal gray hose and be dressed to the nines. But that's just me.

I have to second Alan's remarks; On average I attend 3-5 formal/black tie Scottish functions a year, plus the odd non-Scottish function, so I have my own Prince Charlie jacket, waistcoat and other bits of formal "kit", but I would say I get far more use out of my day jacket. Don't get me wrong, I love my PC and I love to wear formal attire, but I love the rugged country-gent look of the tweed day jacket.

On tux-shirts: I know the winged-collar tux shirt is everywhere these days, and a lot of folks wear them with PC's and Argyll jackets, but technically, winged collar formal shirts are for white tie (the most formal of formals) only. For black tie affairs, a tux shirt with a "regular" stand-and-fall collar is the better choice, and far more comfortable on the neck, especially when that winged collar shirt has a lot of starch! My tux shirt is from TM Lewin in London (check out the sale and clearance prices for places like Lewin, etc. on line, you'll find some bargins and some nice shirts!) and I love to wear it.

Cheers,

Todd