Fat guy in a little jacket!

[NewPiperinNY]

OK.. I am hoping to not have that happen... BUT ...

Being a larger individual (with asperations of not being so... ), what jacket would the general consensus say to look at? I like the look of the Prince Charlie and the Brian Boru but.. all the pictures I see are of individuals that are much less barrel shaped than I.

BTW - this would be for a piper's outfit. I am playing for a friend's wedding, plus hoping to do more going forward.

Thanks, Tom

[Farlander]

A Prince Charlie is a fine choice. It is quite formal, but for a piper, that should be fine.

Other excellent choices would include an Argyll or a Braemar.

As for your shape and/or size, as long as the jacket fits, any of the above would work and look great! An advantage to the PC is that it fits OK without as much tailoring as the others. This is one reason why a PC is the typical rental choice. If you are getting your jacket mail order or online, and you often have a problem with getting jackets to fit well, a PC would be a simpler choice.

[NewPiperinNY]

A Prince Charlie is a fine choice. It is quite formal, but for a piper, that should be fine.

Other excellent choices would include an Argyll or a Braemar.

As for your shape and/or size, as long as the jacket fits, any of the above would work and look great! An advantage to the PC is that it fits OK without as much tailoring as the others. This is one reason why a PC is the typical rental choice. If you are getting your jacket mail order or online, and you often have a problem with getting jackets to fit well, a PC would be a simpler choice.

That was the kind of response I was looking for. I wouldn't have thought the PC was a simpler jacket. Do you know what makes it so?

[Farlander]

Ah', I did not mean that a PC is a simpler jacket, but a simpler choice because it does not require as much additional adjustment to fit OK. The reason is that it is much like a tuxedo jacket in that the front is not designed to completely come together and button. As such, a wide variety of waist and belly sizes are adequately accommodated. So, all it really needs to do is fit across the shoulders and have the right sleeve length. Adjusting the sleeve length can typically be done for ~$20.00 or so by a local tailor or dry cleaner if needed.

[Stratherrick]

When I was at The Gathering last Saturday, I saw the largest walking man I've ever seen on two legs. He must have been 30 stone (400 lbs +)if he was an ounce!

Having said that, he was BEAUTIFULLY kitted out in kilt and a PC, obviously made to measure, and a real credit to his clan, Scott btw.

Quality will out!

Slainte

Bruce

[Phil]

When I was at The Gathering last Saturday, I saw the largest walking man I've ever seen on two legs. He must have been 30 stone (400 lbs +)if he was an ounce!

That must have been the same one I saw. I am sure that his kilt looked longer front to back than it did waist to hem. Not a pretty sight.

[caig]

Just one small point if I may. A Prince Charlie jacket is generally regarded as an evening jacket, and in my personal view should not be worn during the daytime. This would be akin to wearing a tuxedo during the day which would look odd. An Argyll, Braemar or Crail jacket ( or one of the modern equivalents) would be more suitable for general use.

[NewPiperinNY]

Just one small point if I may. A Prince Charlie jacket is generally regarded as an evening jacket, and in my personal view should not be worn during the daytime. This would be akin to wearing a tuxedo during the day which would look odd. An Argyll, Braemar or Crail jacket ( or one of the modern equivalents) would be more suitable for general use.

Does this go for pipers as well? I know this has been discussed ad nauseum on the boards.. But for a piper playing wedding/funeral, wouldn't a PC be the jacket of choice? What about a civic event (such as at the town hall)?

[Deirachel]

Just one small point if I may. A Prince Charlie jacket is generally regarded as an evening jacket, and in my personal view should not be worn during the daytime. This would be akin to wearing a tuxedo during the day which would look odd. An Argyll, Braemar or Crail jacket ( or one of the modern equivalents) would be more suitable for general use.

Something to keep in mind, on this side of the Pond, the rules of formal dress are also a bit more relaxed. Wearing a tux of the full white tie stlye in the day isn't inappropriate in the right setting. In the case of a wedding, for instance, it's not uncommon to see the waistcoat and tails jacket even before 6PM.

So, I would say go with what you like. I've always heard "wear what you are comfortable in", but I feel that is a bit incorrect. Most folks are more comfortable in t-shirts, than in tuxedos.

So, here's my two cents. Find something you like the way YOU look in it and is comfortable enough to allow you to play well. If you look good, but sound like nails on a blackboard because you are to bound up, you're not going to be happy. If you feel like this jacket is emphasizing that part you don't like, you're going to be self-conscience and not play your best. Wear something that looks good, that makes you look good, and still is comfy to play in.

[McMurdo]

Even for a piper I'd say the normal conventions should apply ie. no Prince Charlie before 6 PM. At my brother's wedding we all wore kilts with Prince Charlie jackets, the piper wore a tweed (Day wear) Argyll, he looked smashing and was more appropriate than we were. When I was planning my own wedding the question of what to wear came up and I knew immediately that I would not be wearing a Prince Charlie as it was a day time wedding, of course that was after a few years here. Having said that even my Mom said don't wear the P.C.

As for the piper being the best dressed kiltie around, I think someone who is dressed in a P.C. during the day is as inappropriate as someone showing up to a black tie event in a T-Shirt and a casual kilt.