Charlie or Argyle?

[Fedgunner]

It has come time to look at jackets. I have a few quandries.

First, Prince Charlie or Argyle? I don't attend any events that require a tuxedo and my daughter is already married.
I'm only wondering because it would seem easier to dress down a PC as opposed to dressing up an Argyle

Next question......
Who to get it from? Are they all the same?
I would prefer to order it from a stateside vendor just to avoid VAT and import duty.

Oh yes and I'm looking at black, bright buttons, and braided epauletes, size 48 R (belly size is 48, chest is 46.. DAMN YOU HARP BEER!)

Thanks in advance.

[Hendry]

These guy's have an ex-rental PC in your size

http://www.burnetts-struth.com/sale_items.asp

Cheers
Dave

[Panache]

...First, Prince Charlie or Argyle? I don't attend any events that require a tuxedo and my daughter is already married.
I'm only wondering because it would seem easier to dress down a PC as opposed to dressing up an Argyle...

Actually you have it backward. It's much easier to dress up an Argyll than to dress down a PC, mainly because a PC can't be dressed down.

If you get an Argyll and vest you can wear just the jacket (or just the vest). It's possible to wear the jacket with a turtle neck or if with a dress shirt open collar. For more formal events you wear the jacket and vest with an appropriate white dress shirt and the right tie. There are many possibilities.

With a PC jacket you only have one look...formal. The PC jacket requires a tux shirt and bow tie. You can substitute the vest for a dress belt to take it down a half notch in formality but that is it.

From your circumstances I imagine an Argyll, Braemar, or Crail jacket (basically the same jacket with different cuffs) would serve you better than the PC.

Cheers

Jamie

[gilmore]

What Panache said. If you are like most guys and don't attend black or white tie events several times a year, you will get a lot more use out of an argyll than a Prince Charlie.

Americans are not charged VAT. (Can't you just see the a second American Revolution spontaneously arising if our government tried to impose a 17% sales tax? There is not representation in the world worth paying that much taxation for that I know of.)

Customs duties are usually avoided if the UK seller ships by Royal Mail, and NOT by Fed Ex or DHL, especially the latter. Most merchants will comply with a request to do so. There are several threads on this that you can easily find by searching.

The down side of ordering from the UK is the cost of shipping. If you are not in a hurry, it is much less expensive.

If you order from the UK, remember that their clothes sizes tend to run at least one size smaller than do ours in the US. This is crucial in jackets and weaistcoats (vests). My chest measures 46 inches at the nipples. Recently I purchased a 50" argyll jacket and matching 48'' waistcoat at a very good price, planning to have them taken in by my local seamstress when they arrived. I was surprised to find that both fit perfectly. Granted, both were made of heavy wool, and the waistcoat may have put an inch or so on. (My waist is 42''.....why is it that we feel free to tell each other things here that we wouldn't tell our next door neighbors?)

Good luck!

[Chef]

First, Prince Charlie or Argyle? I don't attend any events that require a tuxedo and my daughter is already married.
I'm only wondering because it would seem easier to dress down a PC as opposed to dressing up an Argyle

Jaime is correct. You cannot dress down a PC anymore than you can dress down a tuxedo. Go with the argyle.

[billmcc]

An Argyll jacket and matching vest will be a lot more versatile.

Here is an American source for both:
http://www.jhiggins.net/

[David Dalglish]

The Argyll jacket is more flexable, you can use it formally with Bow tie, or a day jacket with a normal tie. You don't need the waistcoat, but if you perfer that look, go with it. My choise would be the Argyll.

[McGurk]

My personal favorite combination is a prince charlie jacket with an argyll style waistcoat and a cravat. its a more modern look then either, looks smarter then the argyll byt not as extrovert as the prince charlie.

[McMurdo]

As all the others haver said dreesing down a PC does not work, however with the right Argyll you can go almost anywhere provided you have the correct accessories. If you are looking for a vendor on this side of the pond you could look at the Scottish Tartan Museum or USAKilts, if you were inclined to order from Canada you could look at Cairngorm Scottish Imports they are starting a sale on Monday November 5, on ex rental merchendise.
Take a look at Arlen's post about his wedding outfit, and through the formal style thread and you will see examples of the Argyll dressed up to formal standards.
As for the PC jacket with an Argyll waistcoat, this seems to be a more modern take on things, let me just say that I am not a fan of the look, and would advise you to go one way or the other.

[Cawdorian]

IMHO the Argyll jacket with the silver buttons and vest is the way to go, the Argyll is very easy to dress up for black tie and other formal events with a tux shirt, studs and black bow tie. It works equally well for day wear. In my personal opinion a spread collar shirt looks better with an Argyll than a wing collar shirt but many wear the wing collar shirt with it.

It is much easier to order highland wear from one of our reputable merchants on this side of the water. I ordered mine from from Matt at www.scottishtartans.org you will be very happy with the quality of his merchandise. It saves you the customs and delivery hassle.