How low is the waistcoat supposed to fall?

[OC Richard]

*gasp!* Prince Charles has buttoned his bottom button!! Quick! What's 911 for the Kilt Police???

I have many dozens of images of people in Highland Dress, mostly late 19th and early 20th century, and I can't think of one where the bottom button isn't buttoned. It's always been the usual way in Highland Dress. I'll go back and look through them though...

[SoulFyre777]

Interesting... I just read a post recently (I believe) saying that you should never button the bottom button of a waistcoat... I have no opinion on the matter, really. Now I'm curious which is more accurate and where the opposing ideas have come from...

[Earl D]

Interesting... I just read a post recently (I believe) saying that you should never button the bottom button of a waistcoat... I have no opinion on the matter, really. Now I'm curious which is more accurate and where the opposing ideas have come from...

Here is what they say in Wiki:

A custom still sometimes practised is to leave the bottom button undone. This is said to have been started by King Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales), whose expanding waistline required it. Variations on this include that he forgot to fasten the lower button when dressing and this was copied. It has also been suggested that the practice originated to prevent the waistcoat riding up when on horseback. Undoing the bottom button avoids stress to the bottom button when sitting down as when it is fastened the bottom of the waistcoat pulls sideways causing wrinkling and bulging since modern waistcoats are cut lower than old ones.

[SoulFyre777]

Here is what they say in Wiki:

Very interesting! Thank you!