Tie with a Prince Charlie

[Chas]

There is a popular misconception that the PC is at the top of the range - it is not. It is mid-range at best. Men want to wear their best for a wedding and mistakenly choose the PC as that jacket.

If we start at the bottom and work up.

1 - Tweed Jacket, no waistcoat - Day Wear

2 - Tweed Jacket, with a waistcoat (5 button) - Day Wear

3 - Black Argyle, no waistcoat - Day Wear

4 - Black Argyle, with a waistcoat (5 button) - Day Wear

5 - Black Argyle, with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

6 - Prince Charlie, no waistcoat - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

7 - Prince Charlie, with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

8 - Regulation Doublet - with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

9 - Sheriffmuir, with high cut waistcoat (6 button+) - Black Tie or White Tie

10 Montrose, no waistcoat - White Tie

NOTE - There are 1/2 and 1/4 stages in between each number.
a - Brown and Green Tweed is seen as 'Country' or 'Rural', whereas Blue and Grey Tweed is seen as 'In Town' and 'Business'
b - Waistcoats that are matching the jacket are one step higher than waistcoats that are complimentary colours.
c - Waistcoats that are bias cut tartan rank higher than straight cut tartan and both are higher than those in b.
d - Leather buttons are better than plastic, as are real horn or antler.
e - Real silver buttons are higher up the chain than steel cut and the buttons in d.
f - Argyle style jackets come in a variety of colours

These are just the major variations. There are dozens more subtle variations that are often not seen, but known only to the wearer.

The point being that the PC is a tuxedo equivalent. You wear a PC and you, more or less, have to wear a bow tie. Because that is what you wear with a PC.

One last little point, but the biggest overall. Are you intending on being an equal partner in your marriage? If yes, then you should really decide what tie you will wear.

Regards

Chas

[Father Bill]

There's a strong movement in the fashion and style industries to seek to do something "different" instead of doing something "well."

'Nuff said.

[Nik]

Anyone can feel free to argue with me but I do think that if you were to wear a tie that same color as your shirt, that could look very snappy. It would blend in enough that most people might not even see it but when they do it's still studdle enough to be classy.

-Nik

[RockyR]

Anyone can feel free to argue with me but I do think that if you were to wear a tie that same color as your shirt, that could look very snappy. It would blend in enough that most people might not even see it but when they do it's still studdle enough to be classy.

-Nik

I'll never say someone isn't entitled to an opinion, but I will disagree with you on the spelling of subtle.

[Chas]

Anyone can feel free to argue with me but I do think that if you were to wear a tie that same color as your shirt, that could look very snappy. It would blend in enough that most people might not even see it but when they do it's still studdle enough to be classy.

-Nik

Sorry Nik - cannot disagree more.

Apart from white Pique or Marcella shirt and tie combinations (white tie formal), I think that same coloured shirts & ties are just the opposite of classy.

Regards

Chas

[unixken]

There is a popular misconception that the PC is at the top of the range - it is not. It is mid-range at best. Men want to wear their best for a wedding and mistakenly choose the PC as that jacket.

If we start at the bottom and work up.

1 - Tweed Jacket, no waistcoat - Day Wear

2 - Tweed Jacket, with a waistcoat (5 button) - Day Wear

3 - Black Argyle, no waistcoat - Day Wear

4 - Black Argyle, with a waistcoat (5 button) - Day Wear

5 - Black Argyle, with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

6 - Prince Charlie, no waistcoat - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

7 - Prince Charlie, with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

8 - Regulation Doublet - with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

9 - Sheriffmuir, with high cut waistcoat (6 button+) - Black Tie or White Tie

10 Montrose, no waistcoat - White Tie

NOTE - There are 1/2 and 1/4 stages in between each number.
a - Brown and Green Tweed is seen as 'Country' or 'Rural', whereas Blue and Grey Tweed is seen as 'In Town' and 'Business'
b - Waistcoats that are matching the jacket are one step higher than waistcoats that are complimentary colours.
c - Waistcoats that are bias cut tartan rank higher than straight cut tartan and both are higher than those in b.
d - Leather buttons are better than plastic, as are real horn or antler.
e - Real silver buttons are higher up the chain than steel cut and the buttons in d.
f - Argyle style jackets come in a variety of colours

These are just the major variations. There are dozens more subtle variations that are often not seen, but known only to the wearer.

The point being that the PC is a tuxedo equivalent. You wear a PC and you, more or less, have to wear a bow tie. Because that is what you wear with a PC.

One last little point, but the biggest overall. Are you intending on being an equal partner in your marriage? If yes, then you should really decide what tie you will wear.

Regards

Chas

Wow, do I ever appreciate this nice, concise list, Chas. Thank you!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

One last little point, but the biggest overall. Are you intending on being an equal partner in your marriage? If yes, then you should really decide what tie you will wear.

Regards

Chas

Absolutely.

[sydnie7]

And I wonder if the future bride has seen a real, hand-tied black silk bow tie (especially the larger styles) or is thinking of those dreadful small pre-tied waiter things? Perhaps a few pictures would help her see the difference, and how studly a fellow can look in the correct bow tie (surely there's something in the "1 kilt, 10 looks" thread or elsewhere here?).

I will say that I prefer a vest worn with bow tie vs. unbroken expanse of white shirt below it. I don't recall what Chas' list said about that, it being early here (for me) and just getting into my second cup of coffee!

[muirkirkca]

Jock Scot's outfit looks very good in front of the red vintage Jaguar. Just the right degree of formality.

[Shedlock2000]

There is a popular misconception that the PC is at the top of the range - it is not. It is mid-range at best. Men want to wear their best for a wedding and mistakenly choose the PC as that jacket.

If we start at the bottom and work up.

1 - Tweed Jacket, no waistcoat - Day Wear

2 - Tweed Jacket, with a waistcoat (5 button) - Day Wear

3 - Black Argyle, no waistcoat - Day Wear

4 - Black Argyle, with a waistcoat (5 button) - Day Wear

5 - Black Argyle, with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

6 - Prince Charlie, no waistcoat - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

7 - Prince Charlie, with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

8 - Regulation Doublet - with a waistcoat (3 button) - Tuxedo Equivalent - Black Tie

9 - Sheriffmuir, with high cut waistcoat (6 button+) - Black Tie or White Tie

10 Montrose, no waistcoat - White Tie

NOTE - There are 1/2 and 1/4 stages in between each number.
a - Brown and Green Tweed is seen as 'Country' or 'Rural', whereas Blue and Grey Tweed is seen as 'In Town' and 'Business'
b - Waistcoats that are matching the jacket are one step higher than waistcoats that are complimentary colours.
c - Waistcoats that are bias cut tartan rank higher than straight cut tartan and both are higher than those in b.
d - Leather buttons are better than plastic, as are real horn or antler.
e - Real silver buttons are higher up the chain than steel cut and the buttons in d.
f - Argyle style jackets come in a variety of colours

These are just the major variations. There are dozens more subtle variations that are often not seen, but known only to the wearer.

The point being that the PC is a tuxedo equivalent. You wear a PC and you, more or less, have to wear a bow tie. Because that is what you wear with a PC.

One last little point, but the biggest overall. Are you intending on being an equal partner in your marriage? If yes, then you should really decide what tie you will wear.

Regards

Chas

This is a wonderful list of etiquette for occasions! Thanks Chas, dutifully saved!