thoughts on tartan vest to go with Black jacket

[Dall_Piobaire]

I would love to have some input on a tartan vest/westkit.
1. Any thoughts on what wouldlook best with tartan in avatar
2. Double breasted, regency style, or standard.
3. Would it work at all, informally, with a black Argyll.
(most likely not if double breasted I suppose)
I know there seemed to be little concern about contrasting tartans in the past, but, I would like to find something a bit less foppish.

Scott

[Hothir Ethelnor]

A tartan waistcoat with a black Argyll is a very formal look.

I am quite fond of the regular waistcoat with pointed front pieces but a straight cut waistcoat could look quite nice.

[Dall_Piobaire]

thanks Hothir, I can't quite get the idea out of my head. You really think it is a very formal look? i like the look of a vest that contrasts with the jacket, especially red or green, but I thought tartan might be over the top. Now the mission will be to see if I can find a tartan that will work with mine.

[piperdbh]

Black Argyll + tartan bias-cut square-hemmed waistcoat + kilt + everything else = one snazzily dressed Tarheel.

[ForresterModern]

I don't think a double breasted vest would look right with a single breasted jacket like a PC or Argyll. I personally prefer the pointed bottom vest over the flat bottom one, but either can look nice as long as it is long enough. Most tartan vests are 5 button for use with the Argyll rather than the more typical 3 button used with the PC usually.

I think in general the old style feeling is that you can never wear too much tartan unless you start using tartan accessories such as ties and flatcaps which are generally considered over-doing it. But tartan kilt, waistcoat, jacket, hose all together are fair game it seems. Doesn't work well on a guy my size---I just looke like a giant walking tartan billboard.

I thought that in general most folks feel you should NOT mix tartans, although you can sometimes get away with different versions of the same tartan (ancient with modern, muted with weathered, etc...), particulalry if the non-kilt tartan is used for a laird's plaid or piper's plaid. I would probably not mix tartan versions too much on the actual body cladding like hose or waistcoat or jacket, although I may be wrong.

Traditionalists care to weigh in?

[The Barry]

I'm no traditionalist; but that being said, I would say go for it! I like the idea of a tartan vest under a black jacket, and I'll bet that it would look sharp!

But, there's only one way to really find out.

[Jordan]

Go for it. There is a few people on here with tartan waistcoats, I thought about it myself but I couldn't decide on the tartan

[SlackerDrummer]

I do like the idea of a tartan vest. The trick is going to be to find something that doesn't clash with the kilt you have, but at the same time isn't too dark. You want it also to stand out against the jacket. My first inclination, just looking at the avatar was for a green-based tartan with some of the same secondary colors and maybe a red pinstripe, but it would have to be in ancient colors I think to not hide in the shadows.

[JSFMACLJR]

Tartan waistcoats are a grand accessory. To wear with an Argyll jacket, during the day, I would get the standard 5 or 6 button waistcoat, either with the "points" or with the bottom cut straight across. Have the waistcoat made on the bias. It looks better, in my opinion, although having it made up in the "normal" manner is perfectly fine and looks smart, too.

I don't seem to understand your question about tartan. Wear the same tartan as your kilt. It can be a different sett, ancient/modern/weathered etc without any problems. You can even wear a hunting tartan with the clan tartan. Just don't wear two totally different tartans...it just isn't done!

[creagdhubh]

Hiya mate,

I agree completely with Sandy's assessment and advice with regards to the tartan waistcoat option. I currently own 8 Macpherson (Red Modern, Red Ancient, Hunting Modern, and Hunting Ancient) tartan waistcoats, all made of 16 ounce worsted wool (from Lochcarron),all cut on the bias, have "points" at the bottom front, are fully lined with a complimentary colour to the tartan, and have a rear adjuster. Four waistcoats have 5 staghorn buttons with 4 front pockets (without flaps) and no lapels, and the other 4 have 3 silver square buttons, 2 front pockets (without flaps), and lapels. As you may discern, the latter are only worn with evening dress at formal events - hence the silver buttons. The 5 staghorn button waistcoats are worn with a tweed jacket (I wear both the Argyll and Crail designs) for day attire.

I do not own an Argyll jacket in black barathea with silver buttons, however, when I do eventually purchase one (just hasn't been at the top of my list, as I find tweed a perfectly accepatable option for some formal events during the day), I would definitely wear a tartan (cut on the bias) waistcoat with 5 silver buttons with it for certain occassions.

Tartan waistcoats look extremely smart when worn with the appropriate (most tasteful) attire - and Sandy is correct in stating that it is perfectly alright to wear different versions of your tartan in the waistcoat with your kilt - for example, sometimes I will wear my Macpherson Red Modern waistcoat with the Macpherson Hunting Ancient. It's a very striking look and is a popular choice for many other Macpherson clansmen who wear tartan waistcoats, not just myself - the 20th Hereditary Chief of the Clan Macpherson was known for wearing a Macpherson tartan waistcoat in the red colours with the high contrast of the black and white colours of the Macpherson dress tartan. Good luck with your endeavour.

Yours aye,