Matching an Argyll waistcoat & jacket

[lethearen]

I recently purchased a lovat green kilt jacket which unfortunately didn't come with a matching waistcoat. I have an engagement coming up towards the end of October, and find myself needing to find one... but I can't find anything that matches my coat exactly (Lochcarron Robert of Duhne, I believe). Black Argylls all over the place, but very little in lovat green. I've found a place or two that will make one to order, but as that would likely take more time than I have available, I'd rather get something in a stock size and take it to the tailor if necessary. And even then, it'd be tweed - which my jacket is not. I have a couple of questions about how well a waistcoat which doesn't actually match would work.

1. Would a waistcoat in another colour fit the bill? In particular - charcoal grey, which is significantly darker than the lovat green.
2. Would a tweed waistcoat, regardless of colour, be off-putting?

Thanks!

[SFCRick]

With an Argyll jacket, I think you would look vey nice with a tweed or grey vest to contrast the lovat green.

[piperdbh]

What else are you wearing with it? I'd say a black wasitcoat would work with black sporran and black shoes, whereas a grey one would look beter with brown leathers.

[Paul]

I have the exact same jacket and I was told the wiastcoat would be something like £40 when I bought it. Do you want me to enquire?

Thanks,
Paul

[lethearen]

What else are you wearing with it? I'd say a black wasitcoat would work with black sporran and black shoes, whereas a grey one would look beter with brown leathers.

For the most part, I'd be wearing black shoes and black/white semi-dress sporran when I'm decked out.

I'd be concerned that getting a black waistcoat would be much too dark?

[lethearen]

I have the exact same jacket and I was told the wiastcoat would be something like £40 when I bought it. Do you want me to enquire?

Thanks,
Paul

That'd be great, thanks, Paul! Or let me know where you bought it and maybe I could find them online or such? My jacket was purchased off ebay from an individual, so I didn't have any luck when I asked him if he happened to have the matching waistcoat

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The one thing you want to try to avoid is mixing fabrics-- presumably your Argyll is barathea, or some other smooth finished wool. In hat case what you don't want is a "rough" tweed waistcoat; it will never look "right". You don't say if you are looking for a three-button or five-button waistcoat, but either way you have a few good choices-- I'd recommend going with black for the three-button waistcoat. That, a crisp white shirt and a self-tied black bow tie is acceptable at all but the most formal (white tie) Highland events. If you are looking for a five-button waistcoat, then I'd look for a silk brocade or embroidered waistcoat for dressy informal afternoon or evening wear, but not black tie. If you are looking for something appropriate for day wear, then you can wear pretty much any colour you want, let the waistcoat make a statement, rather than worrying about "matching" colours. If it were me I'd probably opt for red, mustard, or moss green, depending on how "blue" my jacket looked. I might also consider a fawn colour as well as a tattersal check.