traditional vs. classic

[davidlpope]

With reference only to the jacket: This is almost identical to the jacket worn by Loudon MacQueen Doulglas in the photograph opposite page 36 in book THE KILT, A Manual of Scottish National Dress, published in 1914.

If the jacket was made from tweed this would be 100% correct for day wear; made from a finer wool or barathea (as in the photo) it is still correct for day way and perfect for a guest at a wedding, although, perhaps, a trifle too formal for most other outings.

Although the number of button on the front may vary from one to three, the basic Argyll jacket still remains an all-time classic.

MOR,

Can you scan the image or perhaps just describe the setting this jacket was being worn in? I'm not disputing that the argyll style jacket has been around for a long time or that it might be appropriate for a more formal event, such as a wedding, during daylight hours. I'm merely postulating that the current ubiquitous iteration (black fabric with fake silver lozenge-shaped buttons) was not traditionally worn in a "Highland Games" setting where now it seems to predominate, at least here in the US.

Cordially,

David

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

MOR,

Can you scan the image or perhaps just describe the setting this jacket was being worn in? I'm not disputing that the argyll style jacket has been around for a long time or that it might be appropriate for a more formal event, such as a wedding, during daylight hours. I'm merely postulating that the current ubiquitous iteration (black fabric with fake silver lozenge-shaped buttons) was not traditionally worn in a "Highland Games" setting where now it seems to predominate, at least here in the US.

Cordially,

David

David,

Sorry I can't scan the image-- it's beyond my technical capabilities-- but basically it's a photo of Mr. Douglas standing in a garden in a tweed Argyll jacket looking very 1914!

I agree with you that the black Argyll with silver buttons is more at home at a wedding reception than at a Highland games. I guess it shows up at Highland games because it isn't as hot to wear as tweed-- and certainly doesn't look as out of place as a Prince Charlie coatee or Montrose doublet, both of which I've seen worn to games in North America.

Best regards,

Scott

[davidlpope]

David,

Sorry I can't scan the image-- it's beyond my technical capabilities-- but basically it's a photo of Mr. Douglas standing in a garden in a tweed Argyll jacket looking very 1914!

I agree with you that the black Argyll with silver buttons is more at home at a wedding reception than at a Highland games. I guess it shows up at Highland games because it isn't as hot to wear as tweed-- and certainly doesn't look as out of place as a Prince Charlie coatee or Montrose doublet, both of which I've seen worn to games in North America.

Best regards,

Scott

Scott,

Thanks for the description. I'll have to track down a copy of the book. It sounds like a good reference.

I've also seen many Prince Charlies being worn at GMHG- sometimes with a printed logo t-shirt!

Cordially,

David

[Panache]

...I agree with you that the black Argyll with silver buttons is more at home at a wedding reception than at a Highland games. I guess it shows up at Highland games because it isn't as hot to wear as tweed-- and certainly doesn't look as out of place as a Prince Charlie coatee or Montrose doublet, both of which I've seen worn to games in North America.

Well Scott doesn't that depend if the Highland Games in question are Black or White or tie formal affairs?

Cheers

Jamie

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Well Scott doesn't that depend if the Highland Games in question are Black or White or tie formal affairs?

Cheers

Jamie

Oh absolutely. But REALLY, a Prince Charlie coatee during the day? Makes one think of Die Fledermaus... and poor Gabriel von Eisenstein having to go home on the trolley.

But then that's IT. The poor fellows wandering around in Prince Charlie coatees during the day are off their trolleys. Simple as that.

[Panache]

Oh absolutely. But REALLY, a Prince Charlie coatee during the day?

Scott,

I am of course assuming that any formal Highland Games would start after 6:00 PM (and use a lighted field).

The only real question is do we start with a sherry social before the opening ceremonies?

In all seriousness, I too have seen Prince Charlie Coatees and Black Argylls sported during the day at a Highland Games and they just don't look right. I may not be an "auld crabbit" but I have a tweed jacket and two twill cotton ones that serve me quite well for such events.

I have worn my Argyll to afternoon performances of the Nutcracker Ballet, but being as I was the only one sporting a dressy jacket of any sort it was hard to determine if I was overdressed or not. Somehow the ballet, even an afternoon performance seems to call for something more formal than tweed. It is difficult to judges though. You see from the standpoint of wearing a jacket or sport coat of any sort, compared to the rest of the adult male patrons there, I was seriously overdressed. Howvever there were gentlemen there with ties, I believe they were all ushers

sigh

Oh well

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Scott,

I am of course assuming that any formal Highland Games would start after 6:00 PM (and use a lighted field).

The only real question is do we start with a sherry social before the opening ceremonies?

In all seriousness, I too have seen Prince Charlie Coatees and Black Argylls sported during the day at a Highland Games and they just don't look right. I may not be an "auld crabbit" but I have a tweed jacket and two twill cotton ones that serve me quite well for such events.

I have worn my Argyll to afternoon performances of the Nutcracker Ballet, but being as I was the only one sporting a dressy jacket of any sort it was hard to determine if I was overdressed or not. Somehow the ballet, even an afternoon performance seems to call for something more formal than tweed. It is difficult to judges though. You see from the standpoint of wearing a jacket or sport coat of any sort, compared to the rest of the adult male patrons there, I was seriously overdressed. However there were gentlemen there with ties, I believe they were all ushers

sigh

Oh well

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Jamie,

Yes, when attending the theatre one should endeavor to be better dressed than the ushers.

As to the matter of a pre-games sherry reception, I believe that a sherry reception is appropriate only for a one day Highland games. If the games take place over two days-- sorry, evenings-- , a champagne reception is generally considered to be more in keeping with the overall tone of the event.

As ever,

Scott