The ideal time for the black argyll

[DyerStraits]

Much has been said about the formality of Argyll jackets today but some time ago it was worn as equal evening wear - MacKinnon for example suggests to wear it with a jabot, what seems to be very formal to me.
I am not a big friend of the PC because of the cut and like to wear the Argyll as formal evening wear instead (with a low ct waistcoat).
Some of our members demonstrate how impressing it can be, Nathan for example...
And on this picture it is worn with a white tie as full formal outfit...

Attachment 24217

As part of kilted morning dress equivalent it is also worn. For a morning suit is equal to tails in the evening it seems to be a hint that the Argyll is a jacket for formal AND semi formal occasions depending on how you combine it... much more flexibel than a PC.
So it seems a modern view to consider it purely "semi-formal".
And the cut is much more highland than the mess jacket military style of a PC IMHO...

I like it and prefer it.

Tom

I'm right there with you, Tom. My Argyle jacket gets far more use than my PC, and I also wear it with a formal vest and sometimes even a fly plaid (as in this photo, taken on a recent Opening Night at the Lyric Opera) and would not mind at all having an Argyle with satin lapels.

[Liam]

It would appear that the Argyll in the image may have satin lapels, that would better suit a slightly more formal evening event in my opinion.

While I too am in agreement that the Modern Argyll is appropriate for formal attire, the picture shown does display a jacket that has some form of Inverness flaps as pockets. Perhaps one of our more knowledgeable members can comment further.

[DyerStraits]

It would appear that the Argyll in the image may have satin lapels, that would better suit a slightly more formal evening event in my opinion.

I agree, and further to my previous comments, it occurs to me that what I would REALLY love to have is an Argyle jacket with peaked lapels, like those on a PC jacket, AND with satin facing...

[Pipersson]

I'm right there with you, Tom. My Argyle jacket gets far more use than my PC, and I also wear it with a formal vest and sometimes even a fly plaid (as in this photo, taken on a recent Opening Night at the Lyric Opera) and would not mind at all having an Argyle with satin lapels.

DyerStraits, looks great.

Very nice buttons on your waistcoat.
Actually I ordered a low cut waistcoat to combine with my jacket.
I think an Argyll with satin lapels would be a mix of styles...never heard of this.
Does your waistcoat have satin lapels?
By the way I read about the Argyll called Argyll Doublet...maybe another hint that it is/was considered apprpriate formal wear.
What did they play that night?

Tom

[Pipersson]

While I too am in agreement that the Modern Argyll is appropriate for formal attire, the picture shown does display a jacket that has some form of Inverness flaps as pockets. Perhaps one of our more knowledgeable members can comment further.

Liam, to me it seems just to be the pocket flaps a bit bigger tha we know today but it would interest me too...also if there might have been Argylls with satin lapels.
(I do have the impression that round 1900 the jacket styles had a bigger variety depending on the wearer's and the tailor's personal style.)
In any case I prefer an Argyll because i don't think the high cut and the tails of the PC are very harmonic. In this style the regulation doublet is more what I would wish.

Cheers,

Tom

[DyerStraits]

DyerStraits, looks great.

Very nice buttons on your waistcoat.
Actually I ordered a low cut waistcoat to combine with my jacket.
I think an Argyll with satin lapels would be a mix of styles...never heard of this.
Does your waistcoat have satin lapels?
By the way I read about the Argyll called Argyll Doublet...maybe another hint that it is/was considered apprpriate formal wear.
What did they play that night?

Tom

Thanks Tom. I think they were doing "Madame Butterfly" that night, or perhaps "Tosca" (they did a fantastic "MacBeth" on the first Opening Night I ever attended but that was a year or so before I started wearing kilts--a major missed opportunity!) I've been meaning to change the buttons on the waiscoat--which does indeed have satin lapels--to match those on the jacket, but part of me rather likes the contrast. I've never actually seen an Argyle jacket with satin lapels, probably because they are considered less than fully formal, so there I go looking for rules to break again. It occurs to me that perhaps I could simply have a satin facing applied to the Argyle I already have--although I really would like one with peaked lapels, which would likely mean a bespoke order.

[Pipersson]

Breaking the rules can be fun sometimes

Wearing my kilt to the opera is a plan I am having for a longer time but working at the opera myself I rarely go there to see a performance...

[Pipersson]

In any case I prefer an Argyll because i don't think the high cut and the tails are very harmonic. In this style the regulation doublet is more what I would wish.

Cheers,

Tom

I am just thinking if I would consider a PC it would be green...

[DyerStraits]

Breaking the rules can be fun sometimes

Wearing my kilt to the opera is a plan I am having for a longer time but working at the opera myself I rarely go there to see a performance...

My opinion is that it is often safe to break the rules--provided you have fully mastered them.

I almost always attend the opera kilted up--it is far, far more comfortable than trousers when you're seated for such a lengthy period (especially if you've have dined beforehand) and of course the other patrons absolutely love it, especially the ladies.

[Nathan]

Since I started this thread I have come to the conclusion that the ideal times for the black barathea Argyll are:

1) Less formal black tie occasions.
2) For formal day dress as an equivalent to a morning suit.

They are also a good option if:

1) You can change the buttons to black and wear them as a guest at a formal kilted wedding when you're not in the wedding party. The button change is optional but it is a great option if you want to be respectful but keep the eyes where they should be.

2) You have to lend someone your PC.

3) You're travelling, there will be black tie and can only pack one jacket.

4) You're a piper.