To button or not...?

[KiltedMariner]

Greetings,

Simple questions(?): does the Argyle jacket get buttoned (like a blazer) or not? Does the vest get buttoned all-the-way or is the bottom button left undone?

Thank you,
Richard

[ShaunMaxwell]

Best to leave it unbuttoned.

[xman]

Save buttoning it for the gales.

[auld argonian]

I'm waiting to see what kind of answer you get about the last button on the vest. I've always been told to leave it undone but lately I've been questioning the reasoning behind it. Never fear because I am sure that, by tomorrow, you will have more answers to that question and citations for all of the historic reasons behind it than you could ever want...this forum thrives on stuff like this!

I, myself, have absolutely no idea why that last button is supposed to be left unbuttoned and I promise not to cheat and do a google search for possible answers...I'll just check this thread later.

Best

AA

[Ryan Ross]

I, myself, have absolutely no idea why that last button is supposed to be left unbuttoned and I promise not to cheat and do a google search for possible answers...I'll just check this thread later.

AA

...it has to do with a certain monarch and a big meal, if I remember correctly. I'll let someone else tell the story, as I type quite slowly and through great pains.

[The Barry]

As a rule, I leave my argyle unbuttoned, and leave the bottom button of my waistcoat unbuttoned as well.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Unless your tailor has cut your Argyll jacket to close, I'd suggest leaving it unbuttoned. Ditto the bottom button of your waistcoat.

There are all sorts of legends surrounding the un-done bottom button of a waistcoat, but according to my tailor the bottom button is left undone to prevent the waistcoat from riding up when you are seated.

[EagleJCS]

I believe the same question was asked a couple of years back (search is your friend). If I recall correctly, the consensus was that the bottom waistcoat button - especially on a 5-button waistcoat - should be buttoned. One theory is that leaving it unbuttoned was a trend that developed after King Edward VII (as the Prince of Wales, prior to his acension to the throne) either forgot to button it, or simply stopped buttoning it as his waistline grew. There are other theories out there if you care to look for them.

As regards the jacket, I think it would partly depend upon the conditions one found oneself in as to whether it were buttoned or not (i.e. if you're outside and it's cold, button up!). I think they look fine unbuttoned, and probably should be left undone when wearing it with a waistcoat.

[Jock Scot]

As far as I am aware there is no absolute right or wrong over this. What I will say is that , over here with kilt attire, it is more usual the have the bottom button of the waistcoat done up and the jacket(with or without waistcoat) is almost universally left undone, which does look better I think and unless hypothermia is about to strike in which case, all ideas of right and wrong don't matter much and common sense takes priority.

In passing, the bottom button on the waistcoats of my shooting suits and "Saxon" suits are always undone.

[Spartan Tartan]

Well well...I never even noticed the button "issue" on the waistcoat. Apparently, my eye for detail is lacking. Also, I've only seen the jacket open--at least in pictures thoughout this forum. I just assumed the cut of the kilt jacket was done with the intention that it was left open. So much for my thinking on the matter