What jacket for my proposed situation?

[iustus]

Hands down I say go with the Argyle and 5-Vest. Could go 3-vest for more formal if you like.

I have tried playing with a PC just for kicks before a wedding, where I was not the piper but had my pipes handy. I am against the practice. Since the Jacket is short and cut dramatically, I found it didn't look so good on me. It didn't get to hang sharp like it tends to do when you are just wearing it and not playing and marching/walking etc. With an argyle or in my case a "Wallace/Gillie's" jacket the longer length and more subtle curve lend itself to playing in public, IMHO.

That being said I did play for many years in the only Jacket I owned which was a US Navy Mess Jacket (cadet I think). It was short and cut, but I must say I never liked it.

Argyl is my recommendation.

peace,
justin

[ohiopiper]

Argyll it is. Maybe it's a regional thing, or maybe it's because the local pipers have found a source of less expensive PC jackets, but many around here (Warren, Ohio) do formal gigs in them.

Anyway, I like the idea of having one kacket and two vests to change the level of formality. Different vest, different necktie, different look. I can live with that quite easily.

[fluter]

Celtic Croft used to list the 3-button vest separately. Probably whoever supplies your Argyll jacket could get one from the same source, and then perhaps the fabric would match.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Matching fabric and colour? It's not worth worrying about. The dead last thing I worry about is whether or not the fabric and colour of my waistcoat matches my jacket or doublet. Yes, I know there's black, and then there's "black", but so what? My grandfather's black waistcoat (which is 100 years old this year) doesn't match the black of my doublet -- it just doesn't matter.

But if you are going to worry about it, buy yourself a red three button waistcoat instead and be done with it.

[davedove]

Celtic Croft used to list the 3-button vest separately.

I just looked and Celtic Croft still has the 3-button Prince Charlie vests for sale separately, in a variety of colors.

[denmcdough]

By far, go with the Argyll and waistcoat. You can wear just the jacket, or dress it up with the waistcoat. Just my 2 cents!

[Cygnus]

...

But if you are going to worry about it, buy yourself a red three button waistcoat instead and be done with it.

I actually really prefer the look of the red waistcoat with a black jacket, so this option gets my vote!