Tartan waistcoat experimentation

[ASinclair]

I like it with the Argyll and with the velvet doublet. Although I really like the Balmoral doublet, I don't think it works with this waistcoat.

[BCAC]

You're right, of course, Nathan. I was talking about your velvet doublet.

[MacRobert's Reply]

I wouldn't get too hung up on buttons Nathan. One row or two; a few lower down or all the way to the top; working or just for show - evening jackets and doublets have all sorts, especially the older ones that tend to have more variety.

[IrishSean]

The new photos are much more helpful, Nathan.

Although I am a great fan of the Balmoral, I agree that the Argyll works best with your waistcoat. The longer cut breaks up the expanse of tartan from chest to knee. For the same reasons, I think the Balmoral looks better with the dirk belt than without and its tashes look better with the waistcoat than your velvet doublet.

I also think that the waistcoat looks better, in all its combinations with a black bowtie than with a jabot. The jabot covers your entire shirt and makes it look like you are wearing tartan overalls.

You have a closet full of excellent options, most of which look great together. I am green with envy over here.

[Nathan]

The new photos are much more helpful, Nathan.

Although I am a great fan of the Balmoral, I agree that the Argyll works best with your waistcoat. The longer cut breaks up the expanse of tartan from chest to knee. For the same reasons,I think the Balmoral looks better with the dirk belt than without and its tashes look better with the waistcoat than your velvet doublet.

I also think that the waistcoat looks better, in all its combinations with a black bowtie than with a jabot. The jabot covers your entire shirt and makes it look like you are wearing tartan overalls.

I suspect my jabot is the type that was designed to be worn with a Montrose, Regulation doublet or even Prince Charlie in times gone by because it's longer than some of the other examples I've shown with the Sherrifmuir where a little more visible waistcoat is desirable. I think it would have no problem reaching to a low three button waistcoat. I might keep my eyes peeled for a less imposing one should I decide to wear the jabot look.

You have a closet full of excellent options, most of which look great together. I am green with envy over here.

I'm just lucky to be a pretty generic sized guy. The overwhelming majority of my attire was previously owned. I love ebay, thrift stores and vintage stores.

That said, it's an obsession so I'm waiting patiently for my custom knit full tartan hose and my Artificer brass cantled sporran.

[Nathan]

Part of this exercise was to try to figure out what my finest outfit is and whether or not this tartan waistcoat actually takes any outfit up a notch. Some have thought it worked with some jackets but not others, but does it enhance? Perhaps it comes down to personal preference. There are those who like the jabot and those who do not as well as those who like tartan above the waist and those who don't. Some gents liked the waistcoat with the velvet but not the Balmoral and others with the Balmoral but not the velvet. Interesting indeed.

There seemed to be consensus regarding the waistcoat working with the Argyll and a tartan waistcoat, diced hose and buckle shoes certainly fancy it up. I'd say that it would be the perfect solution if I only had the Argyll but is the all purpose Argyll really meant to be worn at such a formal level? Does it surpass my other options? I'm honestly trying to figure out which is my best outfit for an event of the same calibre as say the Royal Caledonian ball.

Argyll to the nines



Good old Prince Charlie...


Black velvet with tartan waist coat and bow tie


Black velvet with tartan waistcoat and jabot


Black velvet closed with jabot


Balmoral closed with bow tie


Balmoral closed with jabot


Balmoral with tartan waistcoat, belt and bowtie


Balmoral with tartan waistcoat belt and jabot


If you could choose only one of the above for a very fancy ball, which would it be?

[ASinclair]

If dress is black tie, I would choose 'Good old Prince Charlie...'
If dress is white tie, I would choose 'Balmoral closed with jabot'.

[McMurdo]

Nathan
I like all the outfits here, I will assume a very fancy ball outfit would constitute White tie. With that in mind I would choose the last outfit the Balmoral with tartan waistcoat belt and jabot, but then I always wear my Montrose Doublet with Jabot for such events.

[Nathan]

Thanks for weighing in Allen and Glen! Do you guys hear crickets?

[saxandpipes]

In the above post, picture 3 is the one I prefer, along with numbers 8 and 9.

Cheers,

Michael