thoughts on tartan vest to go with Black jacket

[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,