Bow tie with 5 button waistcoat?

**FossilHunter** · 19th July 18, 12:19 PM

I have seen it recommended that black argyle jackets pressed into service as black tie outfits are best worn with a three button waistcoat, à la Prince Charlie jackets.

Of course with black it is easy enough to find a matching three button waistcoat but it seems like one would have a lot of trouble finding one for a green or navy barathea argyle.

Could the matching five button waistcoat that the jacket presumably came with be used without raising eyebrows? Or is a five button waistcoat just too high for a bow tie?

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 18, 12:57 PM

It is common and accepted advice to wear the best you have.

If what you have is a 5 button vest then wear the 5 button vest with tux shirt and Black bow tie.

Don't sweat the small stuff. What you may ask is small stuff? The answer is that if it can't kill you it is small stuff.

Do the best you can with what you've got. Walk proud and be respectful of the event and your host.

**Jock Scot** · 19th July 18, 01:35 PM

Steve is right, to a point, if a five button waistcoat is all you have, then go with it. The other choice is not wear a waistcoat at all and then you will not tread on any toes. BUT, a black three button waistcoat with silver buttons would be the perfect choice. It never hurts to know what is really required even if we don't do it!

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 18, 01:51 PM

Another option is to visit your local tuxedo rental place and rent up a cummerbund. This is, and would be, a perfectly acceptable alternative to purchasing a vest you may only wear once or twice.

Oh, and the pleats on a cummerbund point up.

**Father Bill** · 19th July 18, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Oh, and the pleats on a cummerbund point up.

That's so you can catch the crumbs for a snack later.

Not sure that I much care for a cummerbund with a kilt, but....

**FossilHunter** · 19th July 18, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Steve is right, to a point, if a five button waistcoat is all you have, then go with it. The other choice is not wear a waistcoat at all and then you will not tread on any toes. BUT, a black three button waistcoat with silver buttons would be the perfect choice. It never hurts to know what is really required even if we don't do it!

Even if it’s a bottle green barathea argyle?

**Jock Scot** · 19th July 18, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

Even if it’s a bottle green barathea argyle?

Actually a black waistcoat with a green Argyll would look rather sharp. In truth though, I was assuming a black barathea Argyll.

**FossilHunter** · 19th July 18, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Actually a black waistcoat with a green Argyll would look rather sharp. In truth though, I was assuming a black barathea Argyll.

I was wondering mostly because I wasn’t sure what someone with a bottle green or navy jacket would do. Black is easy to match but getting colors to match between manufacturers could be tough and not as many sellers have green or navy PCs (and thus, I assume, their corresponding waistcoats).

As you say though, a dirk belt would work too.

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 18, 02:42 PM

Personally, if I were attending a black tie event I would wear a black jacket. Either PC or Argyle. But black. Preferably with black buttons 'cause I don't like the silver ones.

But black tie is the equivalent of tuxedo and colored tuxedos went out with the '70's along with ruffled shirts.

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 18, 03:04 PM

I don't care what anyone says but these guys knew how to rock a tux with simple elegance.

So did this guy.

Black tie is when the KISS principle is called for. Keep It Simple Stupid.

A large part of Elegance is the ability to carry off simplicity with grace. Not sticking out like someone trying too hard to be noticed. Elegance is about the man in the clothing not about the clothes the man is wearing.