PC conversion advice sought

**sydnie7** · 30th July 08, 01:14 PM

This could go in DIY thread but I'd like the "advice" part on PC jacket collar style first.

Recently jumped on a thrift store find, perfect fit tuxedo jacket (and pants, to supply material for patches, possible vest) destined for a PC conversion project.

It hit me later that this jacket may not be the best place to start. It's got a shawl collar, with a thin black satin border (and matching satin stripe up the trouser legs). Photo below (the spots are just artifacts, not on the jacket).

Would a quasi-PC with shawl collar just look too silly? I could attempt to create a notch in the collar, and use the trouser stripes to miter in the satin border, but obviously that's a lot of fiddly hand work and satin is not the most forgiving fabric. Afraid I might bungle it and have ruined the whole thing.

Thanks for your considered thoughts.

**cavscout** · 30th July 08, 01:35 PM

The Eton jackets w/ shawl collars here might give you an idea of what it will look like.

Brain baru jackets have shawled collars

It won't look right if you try to pass it off as a PC jacket in my opinion. But, if you shorten the jacket and skip or modify some of the other embellishments (epalletes, buttons up the arm or on the chest, tails,...) it will still look formal and sharp but without coming off as an attempt to mimic a PC.

The keys to the whole look to my eye are the peaks at the bottom of the jacket and the "gap" between the left and right fronts. Kilt coats are not usually worn buttoned so you need to remove some material in the back to give it a more fitted look. It will almost look like it's too small for you if fitted correctly.

**george7** · 30th July 08, 01:54 PM

For the collar, don't try to work with exactly what's there. You can iron it out, cut the jacket down, and rebuild the collar last. Since you'll be using satin to cover it, be sure to save the extra trimmings in case you need to reshape anything.

**george7** · 30th July 08, 02:06 PM

....plus is looks like you have pants to use in case you make mistakes.

**sydnie7** · 30th July 08, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by cavscout

[snip] Brian baru jackets have shawled collars

It won't look right if you try to pass it off as a PC jacket in my opinion. But, if you shorten the jacket and skip or modify some of the other embellishments (epalletes, buttons up the arm or on the chest, tails,...) it will still look formal and sharp but without coming off as an attempt to mimic a PC.

The keys to the whole look to my eye are the peaks at the bottom of the jacket and the "gap" between the left and right fronts. Kilt coats are not usually worn buttoned so you need to remove some material in the back to give it a more fitted look. It will almost look like it's too small for you if fitted correctly.

That's great advice, thanks, and I think I can make it look something like the BB. "Something like" was always my goal, of course, only a PC is a PC as has been pointed out in other conversion threads. Perhaps this will become the "Prince Robert"

when worn by Bob (bigdad1).

So relieved that I don't have to tackle that collar! Now I can sleep nights instead of "fashioning notches" in my mind

**Panache** · 30th July 08, 04:02 PM

I'm with cavscout, as someone who has had a tuxedo jacket converted into a formal kilt jacket I have this advice, don't try too hard to make a Prince Charlie Jacket out of a tuxedo jacket. Instead make a formal kilt jacket. You can take inspiration from the PC but you will have a better looking jacket if you try to keep true to the lines of the coat.

Here are the two threads about my efforts to get a formal rig:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/t...x.html?t=21217

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...598/index.html

My jacket has simpler cuffs, epaulettes (but not braided ones), and lacks fancy pockets but I really like it.

Cheers

Jamie

**sydnie7** · 30th July 08, 05:37 PM

Thanks Jamie, your tuxedo thread was my inspiration for even thinking along these lines! I shouldn't have even said "PC," rather simply "formal kilt jacket." With BB as guidance I think this will turn out smashing. I'll start a new thread when I actually get to it (a few projects down the list).

**Carolina Kiltman** · 31st July 08, 01:06 PM

The BB looks a lot like the mess jacket I had when on active duty. I say go for the BB or the Eaton, both look terrific with a kilt.

**Bugbear** · 17th August 08, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by Carolina Kiltman

The BB looks a lot like the mess jacket I had when on active duty. I say go for the BB or the Eaton, both look terrific with a kilt.

Does the Brian Boru have the same chain closure as a mess jacket? I can't look at the pictures.

I like the idea of not trying to turn the Eton or what have you into a PC...

**McMurdo** · 17th August 08, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

Does the Brian Boru have the same chain closure as a mess jacket? I can't look at the pictures.

I like the idea of not trying to turn the Eton or what have you into a PC...

Yes Ted it does have the chain closure system, and I agree in not making an Eton into a PC, just make it a formal kilt jacket and you'll be better off.