Prince Charlie jackets

toadinakilt · 11th September 05, 06:58 PM

I see them on eBay all the time...and I can't find affordable jackets from a company (by affordable I mean less than $100). Is buying a Prince Charlie off eBay as bad an idea as buying a kilt? Not everything off of eBay is horrible...I've had good experiences with eBay mainly...

Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Snide remarks?

Edit: I've seen something called a "short" tux jacket before. Any ideas about maybe modifying one of those? They look like a standard tux jacket, but don't have as much length below the button.

**Bil** · 11th September 05, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by toadinakilt

Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Snide remarks?

Well, I'll save you the snide remarks but I do have a concern.

How comfortable would you be purchasing a jacket without trying it on first to ensure that it will fit you properly? I suppose if you know your chest size you could always ball park it and then have it tailored if need be. But what happens if the chest fits fine but your arms are longer than the sleeves? You can't exactly add material to make it fit. Know what I mean?

toadinakilt · 11th September 05, 07:08 PM

If I can actually convince my girlfriend (when the time comes of course) that a groom in a kilt is a groom and a half, then I will have the whole outfit custom tailored, including the kilt. But for now, I'm looking for something that fits me decently well. I've worn regular tux's mail ordered before, and as long as I match the measurements well, they fit ok. But an inexpensive Prince Charlie...seems like a dream and nothing but a dream...

**Archangel** · 11th September 05, 07:40 PM

Sometimes rentals have sales on these kinds of things. I have seen them. When I was 17 I used to buy the tails and wear them with an opera hat, broken, of course. I'm really not much more sophisticated now.

**Canuck** · 11th September 05, 08:05 PM

Check out some waiters jackets some of them come with a vest and have short tails....
Try goodwill shops or the sally ann sometimes kilts and jackets turn up there.
but with all due respect...the PC jackets are made with fine 100% wool there is a reason why they cost $350-$500 and they are tailered to make you look good. Compared to a wedding dress for a bride the cost of a complete kilt ensemble is peanuts....
Archangel has a point check out the rentals they may have a few PC jackets with cigarette burns in them they are willing to let go for $99.95

**arrogcow** · 11th September 05, 08:51 PM

I bought my Argyle jacket on E-bay and it fits perfectly. Now I did not buy one from the guys that are selling tons in all sizes. I bought one that was used, but in great condition.

Adam

**MACKAY** · 12th September 05, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by toadinakilt

I've seen something called a "short" tux jacket before. Any ideas about maybe modifying one of those? They look like a standard tux jacket, but don't have as much length below the button.

Be carefull that the short tux jacket is not a 'Western" style, as in cowboy style. These usually have piping on the back that creates yoke, or a very western look. probably would not look good with a kilt IMHO.

Brian Mackay

**prattw** · 12th September 05, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by toadinakilt

Edit: I've seen something called a "short" tux jacket before. Any ideas about maybe modifying one of those? They look like a standard tux jacket, but don't have as much length below the button.

They're called "Spencer" Jackets and I wear one for most "black tie" events (that aren't formal enough to call for a doublet). Originally I wore it with the normal satin covered buttons, but my wife likes the silver ones on PCs, and replaced the originals with a set of diamond-shaped silver buttons. Call around to your local tuxedo rental places and find one that is all wool. They'll sell the used ones for $100 to $125. Or can order one new for $150 to $175. Mind, you may have to do a bit of calling to find a shop that both has Spencers and prices the used ones honestly. Or of course, you could just rent one for a wearing to see how you like it.

Oh, should mention that a jacket that's short in the back like this works best with a traditional rise to your kilt. With my kilts the overlap is about four fingers width.

Will Pratt