Prince Charlie - Lapels

[Tenmiles]

Quick question, while it occurs to me:

I've seen some Prince Charlies sold with satin (or silk) lined lapels,
while others seem to be faced with the same material as the rest of the coat exterior.

Is one more conventional (or "proper") than the other?
I know the satin lapels are common for American Tuxedos, but I seem to think I have observed this kind of lapel facing more on the "budget" PCs than on the more expensive ones.

If or when I lay down several hundred dollars for a formal dress coat, I should like to do my best for a "best possible" coat, and not one which looks 'chintzy'.

Advice? Wisdom? Experience? Am I over-thinking it?

[HuDonald]

While I'm no expert, I've always associated the PC with tuxedo. So, to me, the satin lapel seems to be at home because they are supposedly equivalent dress levels.

I would not want an Argyll jacket with a satin lapel, but would also not want a "tux" to not have one.
So to me, the satin lapel seems well placed on a PC. My custom tailored PC has satin lapels, and that's what I wore at my own wedding.

[Livonian]

Lapels for either semi-formal (black tie) or formal (white tie) coats should indeed be faced with either satin (which is shiny and seen as chintzy by some) or grosgrain (which is a bit more subdued, and preferred by some).

You may be seeing not un-faced PC's, but grosgrain-faced PC's... best to ask the manufacturer.

[MacCathmhaoil]

Can't imaging why one would purchase a PC without the lapels faced in either satin or similar material. I have toyed with the idea of having an Argyle jacket made with satin lapels for black tie, I'm not a fan of the PC and I have doublets for more formal events.

[HuDonald]

And as with any type of clothing, how well something is physically put together and how well it fits the person has a lot to do with whether it looks "chintzy". Two garments can use the exact same materials, but under different tailors or designers, have dramatically different outcomes.

[Livonian]

You are indeed right, however I was simply passing along an observation from comments made by others. I personally don't care if my lapels are satin or grosgrain, so long as they are attached to a good coat being worn alongside good friends.

That said, in some circles, such things are taken quite a bit more seriously... some, myself included, may say too seriously. I certainly don't advocate slovenliness and do, in fact, take pride in my appearance, but there is a common-sense limit to that, and in my opinion splitting hairs over satin vs grosgrain is on the far side of that limit.