Cheap formal wear?

[DTrain]

I read this thread and left and came back to it since it stuck in my head.

I recently converted a formal , all-wool black tailscoat to a PC by following the path noted by others on XMarks. Is it a "real" Prince Charlie? Technically, I guess not. But I had a blast finding the right jacket, creating a pattern for the patches, finding the pewter buttons, weaving the epaulettes, etc. You see, it was something I CREATED (thanks to those here who blazed the trail before me). I had more fun doing that than I have had in a long time. Some people can go to a store and plop down $300-400 for a "real" Prince Charlie and be done. Mine was a labor of love. The total investment was probably $200 for the parts and some tailoring help, and countless hours of time spent in the effort. BUT I MADE IT. It's my favorite item in my closet because I invested my effort into creating it. Is it perfect? No. But I made it and it means something to me much more so than just buying one off the rack. I think that artists who paint, poets/authors who write, chefs who cook, songwriters who write songs, programmers who write code, designers--all who create can appreciate the fruits of their own labor can understand how much fun it is to actually make something.

This discussion has motivated me to make some pics of my PC conversion and post them soon. If making an X-Kilt is as much fun as that was, I plan to start soon.

[Alan H]

I read this thread and left and came back to it since it stuck in my head.

I recently converted a formal , all-wool black tailscoat to a PC by following the path noted by others on XMarks. Is it a "real" Prince Charlie? Technically, I guess not. But I had a blast finding the right jacket, creating a pattern for the patches, finding the pewter buttons, weaving the epaulettes, etc. You see, it was something I CREATED (thanks to those here who blazed the trail before me). I had more fun doing that than I have had in a long time. Some people can go to a store and plop down $300-400 for a "real" Prince Charlie and be done. Mine was a labor of love. The total investment was probably $200 for the parts and some tailoring help, and countless hours of time spent in the effort. BUT I MADE IT. It's my favorite item in my closet because I invested my effort into creating it. Is it perfect? No. But I made it and it means something to me much more so than just buying one off the rack. I think that artists who paint, poets/authors who write, chefs who cook, songwriters who write songs, programmers who write code, designers--all who create can appreciate the fruits of their own labor can understand how much fun it is to actually make something.

This discussion has motivated me to make some pics of my PC conversion and post them soon. If making an X-Kilt is as much fun as that was, I plan to start soon.

GREAT freakin' post. Couldn't have said it any better.

[cavscout]

Ya know, after chewing on this a bit longer,

I run into posers all the time at Highland games wearing top of the line kit. Many of them also carry badges that say "kilt police"

My point being, the guy that took the time to "build" his wardrobe, may be the one who has some very good knowledge about the topic we are all striving to emulate. The one who ran out a "bought" his kit may not be what he portrays. "such cheaply bought nobility?

[Panache]

Here is my thought on formal jackets (one I developed with conversations with Alan H.)

If you want a perfect Prince Charlie, buy a real Prince Charlie. Trying to make another kind of jacket into one is never going to work.

However I have a converted tux with tails that is pretty close to a PC jacket. I don't feel the least like a posser. Because it isn't a PC jacket. It is a formal kilt jacket though. There are many different styles of tuxedos out there, why does there only have to be two formal kilt jackets?

Cheers

Jamie