Tartan waistcoat experimentation

[Calgacus]

Hi Nathan,

I think the waistcoat works well with the Argyll.

With the doublets, well, not so much, but not so bad as all that. You get away with a lot because the tartans blend and the bottom of the waistcoat is not terribly obvious.
When you put the belt over it, it works better at least at first glance, but then I think 'Hold on a minute, a belt over a waistcoat?' and things start to unravel.

I think the root of the issue is that both doublet looks are superficially good. All the components are good, and the general impression is good, but on closer inspection there's something not quite right.

You're playing all the right notes... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zHBN45fbo8

As for the best look, I vote for Balmoral closed with bow tie.

[Nathan]

Hi Nathan,

I think the waistcoat works well with the Argyll.

With the doublets, well, not so much, but not so bad as all that. You get away with a lot because the tartans blend and the bottom of the waistcoat is not terribly obvious.
When you put the belt over it, it works better at least at first glance, but then I think 'Hold on a minute, a belt over a waistcoat?' and things start to unravel.

I think the root of the issue is that both doublet looks are superficially good. All the components are good, and the general impression is good, but on closer inspection there's something not quite right.

You're playing all the right notes... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zHBN45fbo8

As for the best look, I vote for Balmoral closed with bow tie.

So, with that in mind, which is your vote from post #26?

[Calgacus]

So, with that in mind, which is your vote from post #26?

Hi Nathan, sorry, I think we cross-posted there. I added an edit to say Balmoral closed, with bow tie.

[Nathan]

When you put the belt over it, it works better at least at first glance, but then I think 'Hold on a minute, a belt over a waistcoat?' and things start to unravel.

I read quite a few old threads that address the dirk belt over the waistcoat. While there is certainly ample precedent for it (Duke of Argyll, John D. Burgess, Cluny etc...) I think in the eyes of many it remains a controversial choice, especially when there is no dirk hanging from it.

N