Prince Charlie Vest

**Panache** · 3rd November 06, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Gilmore

...By the way, is that a jacket from Uniformalwearhouse made per Alan's instructions? Man, that looks good. I like the round buttons. If it is a Uniformalwearhouse jacket, did you use buttons on the sleeves and back as well? If so, a close up would be appreciated, if it isn't too much trouble...

Scott,

It's an old tux jacket with tails, here is the thread I started about the jacket.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=21217

I have replaced the buttons but lack the funds to take take it to the tailors as of yet. I'm trying to see if my lovely wife might tackle the project.

Cheers

**Scott Gilmore** · 3rd November 06, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

It's an old tux jacket with tails, here is the thread I started about the jacket.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=21217

I have replaced the buttons but lack the funds to take take it to the tailors as of yet. I'm trying to see if my lovely wife might tackle the project.

Thanks, good thread. That helps.

**David Dalglish** · 4th November 06, 01:19 AM

Your jacket looks great Panache--I prefer the belt, but the cumberbund looks ok.

**Matthew Siegmann** · 4th November 06, 07:24 AM

Ok, I'm not a big fan of the cumberbund and never have been. It rides up first chance it gets, if you're a large man it accentuates your stomach, and after seening the picture, I like it even less with a kilt. Cumberbunds were invented sometime in the 1920's and I'm not exactly sure why, perhaps because it wasn't as hot to wear as a waistcoat. Anytime I wear formalwear I go for the waistcoat. It's more traditional and if you get one that is the right size (long enough) and wear your tux pants/kilt where you're supposed to (at the waist) then the shirt should not show through anyway.

Now back to this cumberbund issue, while I don't think it looks all that good with the kilt, I did have a thought, what about instead wearing a colour coordinating sash around the waist like the officers on both sides of the American Civil War used to wear? And remember, I mentioned to have them coordinate with the colours on your kilt.

Union Officer Dress Coat w/Sash

**Robin** · 4th November 06, 07:58 AM

Hey Panache! that jacket is a winner! well done

I don't like the cumberbund with a kilt...I like the vest without a belt best, without vest + belt...second best.

Just my humble silly opinion

**Chef** · 4th November 06, 08:10 AM

Honestly I don't like either look for formal. First a cumberbund is not worn with tails because it is visible below the line of the jacket, they should always be worn with a tux jacket (assuming you wear one at all, personally I don't like them and prefer a waistcoat). Second, the belt loks out of place with that type of formal jacket. Doublets and certain other kilt jackets are meant to be worn with belts but not the PC style. While the waistcoasts with PC jackets have a full back most formal waistcoats do not. Find yourself a nice waistcoat it will look better in the long run. Try a rental store if price is a problem; many will sell used ones.

**beerbecue** · 4th November 06, 08:50 AM

This is exactly why I started the thread. To find out if it would be OK to have a backless vest as a formal vest vs. a PC vest. I wasn't sure if the back/backless vest option would be more appropriate if/when a jacket was removed.

Originally Posted by Chef

While the waistcoasts with PC jackets have a full back most formal waistcoats do not. Find yourself a nice waistcoat it will look better in the long run. Try a rental store if price is a problem; many will sell used ones.

**Panache** · 4th November 06, 08:56 AM

I think I will wind up ordering a three button formal vest (backless) from uniformal warehouse (like Alan H. has recommended in other posts) and change the buttons. One of the great things about X Marks is that you can have an idea and try it out here before heading out into the world. I thank you all for the feedback, and hope the visuals were helpful.

Cheers

**Chef** · 4th November 06, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by beerbecue

This is exactly why I started the thread. To find out if it would be OK to have a backless vest as a formal vest vs. a PC vest. I wasn't sure if the back/backless vest option would be more appropriate if/when a jacket was removed.

The backless waistcoat was developed partialy to allow people to NOT remove the jacket. They are cooler than a full waistcoat for obvious reasons. However, they usually look like a mess when the jacket is removed.

I always suggest to my clients that if they expect to be removing their jackets that the wedding party should always wear a full waistcoat. Personally the only backless waistcoat I own is a white one, worn with my PC jacket for white tie affairs. Obviously at such an affair I would not be removing my jacket so the fact that is backless is not a problem. All the rest of my waistcoats are full back. So if you are not sure whether you will want to remove your jacket or not, then find a full backed waist coat.