Fat guy in a little jacket!

[SteveB]

An Argyll would be appropriate at the wedding. Usually the PC is on the groom. A Piper looks grand in a Braemer of such colour as goes with the colours in the kilt.

Slainte

[shawhighlander]

These are all good answers!
Just as a matter of course, the jacket of a Scot's attire traditionally fits more snugly than an American sport coat...that being said, I would choose the one that is most comfortable to you.

And, remember that when holding the pipes you will need the jacket to accommodate the movements thereof ith:

[Deirachel]

Just one small point if I may. A Prince Charlie jacket is generally regarded as an evening jacket, and in my personal view should not be worn during the daytime. This would be akin to wearing a tuxedo during the day which would look odd. An Argyll, Braemar or Crail jacket ( or one of the modern equivalents) would be more suitable for general use.

Something to keep in mind, on this side of the Pond, the rules of formal dress are also a bit more relaxed. Wearing a tux of the full white tie stlye in the day isn't inappropriate in the right setting. In the case of a wedding, for instance, it's not uncommon to see the waistcoat and tails jacket even before 6PM.

So, I would say go with what you like. I've always heard "wear what you are comfortable in", but I feel that is a bit incorrect. Most folks are more comfortable in t-shirts, than in tuxedos.

So, here's my two cents. Find something you like the way YOU look in it and is comfortable enough to allow you to play well. If you look good, but sound like nails on a blackboard because you are to bound up, you're not going to be happy. If you feel like this jacket is emphasizing that part you don't like, you're going to be self-conscience and not play your best. Wear something that looks good, that makes you look good, and still is comfy to play in.

[McMurdo]

Even for a piper I'd say the normal conventions should apply ie. no Prince Charlie before 6 PM. At my brother's wedding we all wore kilts with Prince Charlie jackets, the piper wore a tweed (Day wear) Argyll, he looked smashing and was more appropriate than we were. When I was planning my own wedding the question of what to wear came up and I knew immediately that I would not be wearing a Prince Charlie as it was a day time wedding, of course that was after a few years here. Having said that even my Mom said don't wear the P.C.

As for the piper being the best dressed kiltie around, I think someone who is dressed in a P.C. during the day is as inappropriate as someone showing up to a black tie event in a T-Shirt and a casual kilt.

[triolamj]

Advice from an older and fatter Irish-American: Buy yourself a Prince Charlie AFTER you've made some money as a piper and can afford it. In the meantime, get yourself an Argyll jacket with a matching vest. Since you're in New York state, you don't have to worry about the heat. I ordered a black denim twill Argyll from J. Higgins and had them cut an extra buttonhole for me so I could button it and go without the vest. Because I wear my kilt across my hips the jacket shows a little bit of shirt that a 54 Long would probably cover. I wear a tuxedo shirt and bow tie with my Argyll for very formal events and a button-down Oxford with a tie for semi-formal events. Most professional pipers down here wear the Argyll with a vest, a white dress shirt, a dark solid color tie, and black glengarry. Some few pipers will perform in full dress including feather bonnet, wool tunic, argyle hose, and ghillie brogues. Buy the Argyll and trade up to the Prince Charlie. Give yourself room to grow into the jacket as well since it will last you a few decades. Give the tweed a miss, too; most weddings are in late spring or early summer and you'll end up sweating before you blow a note. Keep in mind an Inverness cape for bad weather and to protect your pipes outdoors.

Right now I'm trying to decide between trading up to cheaper 54 Long Argyll and trading out the buttons to hide the bottom of my shirt better. To accentuate my shoulders (very broad) instead of my waist (very thick) I'm pondering getting a Brian Boru in black and long in a heavy Barathea (a PC without the tails and with Irish buttons). Or else chucking it all up and having a Spencer waistcoat and vest made by hand in tropical wool (suitable for Texas)!

Slainte mhath!

[triolamj]

Update to last: Friend told me the bad news that Brian Borus have tails, too! and found a set of photos on one vendor's site (out of 12 or so) that actually show the back. Back to the drawing board! Looks like it's going to be a tailcoat minus the tails plus a matching vest to make myself a Spencer jacket.

[MacLowlife]

I appreciate the fine tradition of piping, but to most of the people who will hear you, you are a musician. As a musician, like a waiter (sorry- just keep reading) you may well be more dressed up than any one else at the gathering. SO, if you can grab a PC on the cheap, its open front may be just what you want while your shape is changing.

For my friend just above, see the posts in D-I-Y about short tuxedo jackets. One may be available much more cheaply than you expect.

And a final note- the PC is widely available to rent, which makes an excellent opportunity to "wade in" to owning one.

Now, I do not mean to compare pipers to waiters, though there is nothing at all wrong with being a waiter, either. My only point is that the rules for formal dress for working people are different from those for partying people.

Be practical, be comfortable, be confident.

[RockyR]

I'd suggest the Piper Flex jacket... It's basically an Argyll jacket with back panels that stretches up to 2" so that the piper (or average wearer) can move his arms a bit better. The technology of this thing is a brilliant idea.

[Jack Daw]

And, remember that when holding the pipes you will need the jacket to accommodate the movements thereof ith:

How I have learned the truth of this statement!

As a piper, I wear whatever level of formality is expected. I've worn my PC jacket for piping at semi-formal Rabbie Burns Suppers, but never during the daytime. I don't have a piper's doublet, but I have a Patrol Tunic (See Burnetts & Struth) for a pseudo-military look day or evening.

[NewPiperinNY]

I'd suggest the Piper Flex jacket... It's basically an Argyll jacket with back panels that stretches up to 2" so that the piper (or average wearer) can move his arms a bit better. The technology of this thing is a brilliant idea.

I have never heard of such a thing.... **running to Google** You don't carry them do you????