Formalwear question for the experts: Argyle w/waistcoat

[Strings]

Ok... two of my BACA members are getting married, and I'm both standing as Best Man and helping set up the outfits. They want the guys in kilts...

Groom is wearing a PC w/white sporran, groomsmen are wearing Argyles w/black sporrans, all wearing flashes to match the bride's dress (she's wearing a fly plaid as a shawl to draw everything together).

My Argyle just arrived. I had planned on wearing it with a waistcoat I had bought previously (being poor and all), but I'm not sure it works. So, I figured I would present the question to the rabble. Here's a pic:



Is this acceptable?

[JSFMACLJR]

Ok... two of my BACA members are getting married, and I'm both standing as Best Man and helping set up the outfits. They want the guys in kilts...

Groom is wearing a PC w/white sporran, groomsmen are wearing Argyles w/black sporrans, all wearing flashes to match the bride's dress (she's wearing a fly plaid as a shawl to draw everything together).

My Argyle just arrived. I had planned on wearing it with a waistcoat I had bought previously (being poor and all), but I'm not sure it works. So, I figured I would present the question to the rabble. Here's a pic:



Is this acceptable?

First off, I assume this is an evening wedding, as the groom is wearing a Prince Charlie coatee, correct? If that is the case, then I think the waistcoat you are wearing is not a good choice. It obviously is a waistcoat intended to be worn during the daytime, not with formal evening dress.

One word of advice: it is better not to do up the buttons on the Argyll jacket. "It just isn't done."

[Strings]

Well, buying a new waistcoat at this point is not an option. I either use it, or go with a belt...

Also, we're kinda ignoring the "day/evening/black tie" rules. Bride and groom want to be formal-looking, even though the wedding itself is happening during the day...

[Highland Logan]

Well, buying a new waistcoat at this point is not an option. I either use it, or go with a belt...

I would go without the waistcoat, and go with the belt. However you can also go without the belt, many prefer that look. And as pointed out, the jacket just isn't buttoned.

Frank

[MacLowlife]

The best reason not to button the jacket is that it looks like you are sucking in your gut. Even if you don't have one.


And now on to the waistcoat question.Though I am not an expert, my assumption is that, as best man, you are entitled to a little leeway beyond the run-of-the mill groomsmen. Still, it might be nice to try to match them. What is/are their vest situation(s)? One thing is certain- everybody ought to be able to NOT wear a vest. If you can't get a hold of another one, I would suggest that you all consider doing that. I agree, belts might be nice, but you can manage without them, as has been pointed out.

Think of the wedding party as a pyramid of sorts. You want uniformity among the occupants of a given tier and you want "congruity" amongst all levels. Thus, all of the men need to more or less match the groom ( and I mean match in the best sense- whatever the bride thinks it means) and you ought to form a stylistic bridge between the groomsmen and the groom, though not necessarily being dressed exactly like either of them...

Oh, and by the way, do suggest that the bride goes ahead and does a dry run on attaching that woolly plaid to her dress. You will get credit for thinking ahead and she will figure out how to attach it before the last minute.

Have a great time.

[denmcdough]

No expert, here, but I'd forgo that particular vest (IMHO) and just wear the belt. The vest is definitely more formal, if that's what you're looking for. Since money is tight, look at J. Higgins; his vest is not terribly expensive and it will look more appropriate. Good luck with your decision!

[LANCER1562]

You may want to take a look at formalwearhouse.com. They have nice but inexpensive tuxedo vests that could be worn with the Argyle jacket, then just replace the buttons on the vest with one that match the jacket as closely as possible.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Daytime wedding, right? You and the Groomsmen all have Argyll jackets, right? So what we are talking about is the gentlemen matching, ie: everybody with Argyll, waistcoat, and same colour of four-in-hand tie (because it is a daytime wedding). That being the case, I'd suggest a couple of things--

First, it looks like the waistcoat you are wearing in the photo may be a bit long in the body for wear with a kilt; it might just be the angle of the photograph, but the hem of the waistcoat should cover the top 2-inches or so of the kilt. Any more than that and it's too long.

Next, any kilt shop should be happy to rent you guys matching 5-button waistcoats-- $10-$20 seems to be the going rate. Don't rent black. Get something festive, bright, and fun, and ideally matching the bride's maids dresses.

Finally, get fairly conservative, matching neckties. Silver gray is always a good choice as it it neutral enough to go with anything. You can probably buy these at the tux shop, killing two birds with one stones.

So, that's it. White shirt, silver gray tie, coloured 5-button waistcoat, black Argyll, kilt, sporran & hose (not white) and you are good to go!

[MacGuffin]

If you are looking for an argyle jacket try newjerseypiper. I've never dealt with them but the vest look nice are reasonably priced. I hope this helps.
http://www.newjerseypiper.com/vests.html

[Strings]

MoR nailed the issue I was having: the length of the vest in question. So the I and the other groomsman will forego such, and use belt: I've got a couple we can use.

We've already done a "dry run" with the plaid: works fine as a basic shawl.

The whole idea here was for the three of us (Best Man, Groomsman, Groom) to be similar, but NOT identical... with the groom "popping".

I'll post a pic or three from the wedding, once it's over. And tanks for the advice!