Planning for an Argyll

[Bugbear]

* After I created this thread, I had to back off on some of the higher cost items I have been planning. They're still on the table, but pushed back a little. *

If, like some, you are on a tight budget then your best investment is a black Argyll jacket and two black waistcoats-- one 3 button (like those worn with a PC) and the other a standard six button affair.

Six-button waistcoat + Argyll, & four-in-hand tie = day wear/dressy evening wear = suit and tie.
Three-button waistcoat + Argyll & bow tie = formal evening wear = tuxedo.

So there you have it, the basic formula for being well-dressed on a budget:

[1(Argyll Jacket) + 2(waistcoats)] - (white socks) = 1 Well Dressed Gentleman.

From Jock Scot's thread "A trans-Atlantic thing?"


That makes sense, and i'm subtracting the white hose. I could start with the black Argyll jacket because I might not be able to afford all three at the same time.

If anybody has one, is the black Argyll jacket (or Argyle) shown here J. Higgins, Ltd. -- Daywear Outfit a good quality jacket?
In the next round of spending, I could add their five button waistcoat to that. I have heard the waistcoat is a good value.
They don't seem to sell a Prince Charlie waistcoat on it's own, but perhaps it would be a good starting point for the outfits. Those are also closest to what I can afford if it is an adequately constructed jacket.


Price isn't the only thing I'm considering, so I'm not ruling out the folowing:
The Celtic Croft sells both a black Argyll jacket with vest, and a Prince Charlie vest on it's own. This might be a good option to get all three from the same source; sometimes that is worth the higher price.


The Scottish Tartans Museum's Black Argyle kilt jacket and five button Argyle vest are another sound option. I would need to add a Prince Charlie waistcoat at some point.
As I said, I won't rule out either of these options just because they are higher prices; I don't feel I need to ask about their quality. I do have to weigh the options on what I am able to afford, though.

* I just noticed one other source for the Argyll jacket and vest. USA Kilt's jackets are in that same price range. I have read their quality is very good too. I prefer to order from a US company and avoid dealing with import issues on my own if possible. *