Best jacket for business attire?

[Kilted KT]

Panache is correct. Get an Argyle type jacket. The PC is strictly formal wear.

J. Higgins sells Argyle style jackets for around $200:
http://www.jhiggins.net/catalog/daywear.html

has anyone else had any experience with this jacket maker?

[cessna152towser]

I find a black Argyle jacket goes well with a black kilt for Court and office work. No reason why it wouldn't also go with a tartan kilt.

[Colin]

charcoal tweed argyle and waistcoat. The charcoal tweed allows for casual, semi-formal and the North American formal the majority of us will attend. I got mine from Scottishkilts.net and their affiliate Tartanweb http://www.tartanweb.com/list/argyll__braemar.html (check out the bottom two).

They also have a jacket sale on right now and may have something that catches your eye http://www.tartanweb.com/list/jacket_sale.html

[Bob C]

The charcoal tweed allows for casual, semi-formal and the North American formal the majority of us will attend.

I would never try to pass off a tweed jacket as formal.

Good choice for business and other, less formal, occasions, though.

[davedove]

charcoal tweed argyle and waistcoat. The charcoal tweed allows for casual, semi-formal and the North American formal the majority of us will attend.

I would never try to pass off a tweed jacket as formal.

Good choice for business and other, less formal, occasions, though.

Notice he said North American formal, Bob. I know what he's talking about. Many people don't really get formal, except for renting a tux for their wedding. For most people here, formal is really business attire: A dark suit with a tie.

I have a charcoal tweed jacket and it works great for business dress attire. It is pretty warm though and I am going to one day have to get a lighter weight kilt jacket.



For truly formal occasions, I have a Brian Boru jacket:

[MacWage]

In US -> Fancy dress-> tux and the like
"formal"/"dressed up"-> jacket and tie
"semi-formal"/"dress casual"-> button down (no tie), sweater, polo

VERY seldom are tuxedos worn at all over here, unless one is fairly well off/rich. Few own them and most rent them. Basically, most wear them for prom, weddings (wedding party itself-> groom and groomsmen only), and the occasional fancy dress ball (which most NEVER attend at all).

A nice tweed jacket will worn for 99.9% of US "dress casual" and up occasions. In some of the others, it would also pass (as you undoubtedly NOT be the lowest dressed person in the room).

I know quite a few people who only own 1 or 2 ties and not even a dress jacket at all. They find no need for them in their life.

A charcoal tweed on a "nice" cut would be a good buy.

[bubba]

Are you kidding? For lots of Americans formal means clean jeans and shoes.

[Colin]

I would never try to pass off a tweed jacket as formal.

Good choice for business and other, less formal, occasions, though.

Bob C. I consider formal to be where other men are in suits (my wife's company Christmas party, weddings, funerals, etc). I have not had the occasion to wear a tux (except for my wedding) so I have no use of a PC. So while some may be attending the Queen's ball, I will not so my charcoal tweed argyle works just fine.

Are you kidding? For lots of Americans formal means clean jeans and shoes.

That's just sad. At my best man's wedding, one of the guests was in jeans, baseball hat, and sleevless T-shirt. It was the nicest shirt he owned.....a lame excuse considering that a polo or golf shirt can be bought for $10-$15. To me that is a sign of disrespect, but that is how I was brought up.

[Bob C]

Bob C. I consider formal to be where other men are in suits (my wife's company Christmas party, weddings, funerals, etc).

That's business attire, not formal.

I have not had the occasion to wear a tux (except for my wedding) so I have no use of a PC. So while some may be attending the Queen's ball, I will not so my charcoal tweed argyle works just fine.

I've not been invited to the Queen's ball (wouldn't go anyway - damned English/German Queeen) but I DO attend a couple of formal events each year. I own a tux, but have not worn it since acquiring my kilt. I wear my PC, now.

At my best man's wedding, one of the guests was in jeans, baseball hat, and sleevless T-shirt. It was the nicest shirt he owned.....a lame excuse considering that a polo or golf shirt can be bought for $10-$15. To me that is a sign of disrespect, but that is how I was brought up.

I agree. I feel the same way about wearing a tweed jacket to a formal event.

[MacWage]

Kilted folks!!!!!!!

The original thread was asking what kind of jacket is appropriate for business attire (kilted). As he is planning on wearing a jacket, I assume (always a dangerous task) that a polo (much less a t-shirt) is not a planned option, but that a coat and tie is normal work attire. In such a case an argyle or like-style jacket (including a normal jacket converted into a argyle-esque jacket or a waist jacket-> cut off and hemmed just below the pocket level).

A Prince Charlie, Montrose and other formal jackets are a bit formal for most business situations, as would a tux. These formal jackets are designed and intended for the same situation as a tux, so are appropriate wherever a tux would be.

If purchasing a jacket-> go for an Argle or a like jacket (whatever name they are given, many are very similar and most are available in tweed).

If can't afford, or would rather put the money elsewhere (like a kilt), modification of a "standard"/"normal" jacket is relatively easy. There are numerous threads about just that, including AlenH's website on making an Argyle-like one.