DIY Prince Charlie Numpty Questions...

**AnimalK** · 18th July 07, 06:49 PM

Here's the plan...

I have a shawl collar "Mess Dress" jacket and want to make a PC type formal coat. It has the two front (left and right side) button holes for the fastening buttons and short chain. (I forget what it is called...)

Unless I can find matching material to add the little coatee tail, I will simply go...ummm...tail-less.

I will replace the shoulder board tabs with the black braid.

I figured on 12 buttons for the coat and 3 for the backless wool vest. I understand I need the "Small" PC diamond buttons for the vest.

**HERE'S THE NUMPTINESS***

Would the Large matching Diamond thistle buttons be the ones I need (3 each cuff, and L and R Front)? Or should I go with the Medium buttons? It's kind hard to tell from the pics I've seen of PC's if they use the Large or Medium...

How are they displayed? (Long and Tall diamond or Short and Wide Diamond) Or is it going to be obvious when I see the buttons?

What is the distance between the buttons on the coat cuffs?

Also, would standard (silver/black) shirt studs and cufflinks with a wing collar 1/4" pleated tux shirt be appropriate?

I know, I'm kinda retarded...

**Eujeankilt** · 18th July 07, 07:06 PM

I put the large ones on my Prince Mowgli jacket. I arranged them long and tall. I used mediums for the vest (waistcoat for those on the other side of the pond). FWIW, I like the look of the large buttons.

Here's where I got my buttons - http://www.threefeatherspewter.com/

Dale

**McMurdo** · 18th July 07, 07:15 PM

I think they are Large buttons on my P.C. I have taken some close up shots I hope they help

Sleeve:

Front:

Eppilet:

Tail

The whole thing

**BEEDEE** · 19th July 07, 07:07 AM

I also used the Three Feathers buttons on mine, but used the large for the front and the small for the tails and cuffs.

Brian

**Panache** · 19th July 07, 07:10 AM

I have said this on other threads about converting a jacket into a kilt jacket but it bears repeating. When you are adapting your jacket take your inspiration from a particular type of jacket but don't try too hard to make an exact copy. Your Mess jacket is never going to be a perfect Prince Charlie formal jacket, HOWEVER it very well might be a smashing formal kilt jacket.
Decide what elements of a formal kilt jacket you like and which of those elements will work with the jacket you have.

Even if you can find matching material I wouldn't bother with trying to add the short tails to the back. I can't imagine that it would look like they were part of the coat originally.

I would suggest to make sure your cuff buttons are small and match the size of the vest.

I found some round buttons I liked a lot so I went with them instead of the traditonal diamond ones (which gives my formal outfit a more Irish feel)

I look forward to seeing the finished result

Cheers

Jamie

**Peter C.** · 19th July 07, 08:11 AM

I used my British Army Mess jacket as a formal kilt jacket for years. I didn't try to copy any sort of jacket, I just wore it because it was a similar shape to kilt jackets. I removed all military insignia, which included collar badges which left holes in the collars, which I covered by replacing the collar badges with round celtic buttons which looked more like shields than buttons. Our Mess jackets didn't have any buttons, and I didn't add any. In the mess we wore it with a red vest, so NO vest with the kilt.The Mess jackets are very high quality and I wore it to formal do's for years with an evening shirt and bow tie. I got nothing but compliments. I now have a PC jacket and vest but if my Mess jacket still fit

I would still wear it sometimes for a change - it looks good.

So as Jamie said don't try and copy any other jacket, just make your Mess jacket look good with your kilt and enjoy.

Peter