Tux with tails to Prince Charlie conversion

[Bob C]

Y'know, I think that vest would work, with new buttons. It's a bit longer than the typical PC vest, and the lapels are not the same, but it has a certain...wait for it...panache.

You're right about the bowtie. Get a black one.

You'll be looking GOOD, P.

[Alan H]

Keep in mind that the Prince Charlie is just a jacket, not a biblical text, eh? So what you make/modify just has to look good, and not necessarily conform to the "doctrine".

I'd say replace the black buttons with the ones you're planning to buy, run a few of them up the sleeve and trim the tails and you're good to go. Actually, ya know what? I bet dollars to doughnuts that there will be a vendor at Ben Lomond with a few Prince Charlies on the rack to look at. So go hunt one down this weekend and inspect it extremely carefully, getting as many details as possible in your head.

The vest...hmmmm. Try it. I mean, why not? Just cut the black buttons off and sew on the silver ones and give it a go. My gut feeling is that you'll want a three-button vest, but that's pretty close so try it.

I actually used ROUND buttons on my Eton Jacket and it looks just fine. I bought one of the backless (cheap) wool three-button vests from Uniformalwearhouse and replaced the satin buttons with small round celtic-motif pewter ones. The Irish versions of Prince Charlies usually use round buttons so I figured I was OK, and besides, we had a stash of big silver-tone round buttons from Grandma's sewing collection, so I didn't have to buy anything.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this. You can wear it to the San Francisco X-Marks Burns Supper!

[Panache]

...The vest...hmmmm. Try it. I mean, why not? Just cut the black buttons off and sew on the silver ones and give it a go. My gut feeling is that you'll want a three-button vest, but that's pretty close so try it...

Thinking about it, it seems a pretty safe bet. If it looks good, I only invested in four 70 cent buttons. If it doesn't work I use those same buttons on the uniform warehouse wool/satin vest.

Step one is to pick both vest and jacket up from the dry cleaners this week.

Cheers

[Tattoo Bradley]

Yep, I agree with the rest:

-Run silver button, and a few up the sleeves
-Swap the bowtie for a black one
-trim the tails

You'll be set.

[billmcc]

Is there any reason why the vest couldn't be shortened?

[beerbecue]

That is a nice looking jacket, I look forward to hearing about your adventures...

I think the vest is too long, and the 'satin' shine IMHO, just doesn't seem to match nicely with the jacket....

I think I would go the uniformalwearhouse route and pick up a formal vest....

Isn't tinkering fun??

[Panache]

Keep in mind that the Prince Charlie is just a jacket, not a biblical text, eh? So what you make/modify just has to look good, and not necessarily conform to the "doctrine".

Alan has a very good point here. In thinking about putting new buttons on this tuxedo I realized that a true Prince Charlie Jacket has entirely different seams where the buttons are sewn along. I would have to remove buttons from this coat, and tack on buttons in the pattern on the middle of the sleeve or back where there wasn't a seam. The seams would be left exposed. The whole thing would be a bit odd. I realized that I really can't make a PC jacket here. With that thought I was free to make something different, a formal kilt jacket still, but not a PC. Perhaps a PJ Coat (PJ could stand for "Prester John" or "Prince Jamie" depending on the number of refreshing beverages consumed). I went off to Joann's Fabrics and picked up some buttons I rather liked. I've replaced all the original black ones. I still need to have the tails chopped and epaulettes made (with a matching button on each). I pinned the back to get a rough idea of what it would look like.

Have a different bow tie in but still need a three button vest. But Macsim's recent formal picture gave me an idea to wear it this way for now.


What are your thoughts?

[Robin]

Looks much better without the vest

Maybe the back 1 inch shorter and taper the wings to the outside vertical black stipes on the kilt...something like this...

[turpin]

Robin has nailed it with that drawing. I think the sleeves still need some buttons for balance. Otherwise, you'll be good to go.

How did you do that, BTW?

[Panache]

Robin,

Very cool! Something to print out and take with me to the tailor's. I think if I am going to add additional buttons to the back they will follow the seam and be in a straight line about and inch toward the outside and below of the top set (PJ jacket remember ).

Turpin,

There are three matching buttons (smaller sized) along the seam of each sleeve. You can barely see them in the picture from behind.

Cheers