PC Waistcoat Options: 3 vs 5 Button

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Wow, thanks for all the comments and input! Glad to see the question has created such a great conversation.

I've decided to go with the "traditional" 3 button as suggested above since it will be used primarily on formal occasions, for the next year anyway. After that, I'll likely invest in a less formal Argyle or Crail option.

I'm (not so) patiently awaiting the phone call from the Kilt Maker to tell me it's ready to pickup... any time now Pictures soon!

Thanks again!

Let me toss that cat in amongst the pigeons and suggest a slightly more useful alternative:

A black barathea Argyll jack with both a 3 button and a 5 button waistcoat.

Worn with a black bow tie and 3 button waistcoat a black barathea Argyll is every bit as dressy as a Prince Charlie coatee; when paired with a 5 button waistcoat and a regular neck tie it is the same as a dark suit worn to dinner or a concert, wedding or a funeral. In effect, you get two outfits for the price of one, plus the paltry cost of a second waistcoat.

[vdubguru]

Macmillan,
thanks for the reply. I've been tossing this idea around as well and really like this option.
Does anyone else agree? If I can get more use out of the Argyle, I sure would like to!
I've been thinking that a PC would be a bit too formal for times when I'm at a wedding or non-black-tie-event.

What say you Rabble?

[BCAC]

Macmillan,
thanks for the reply. I've been tossing this idea around as well and really like this option.
Does anyone else agree? If I can get more use out of the Argyle, I sure would like to!
I've been thinking that a PC would be a bit too formal for times when I'm at a wedding or non-black-tie-event.

What say you Rabble?

I agree. Excellent idea.

[Calgacus]

Hi Paul,

I agree that the barathea Argyll with two waistcoats is a great way to get flexibility without the expense of buying everything at once. You can then get a PC or a doublet at a later date if you so desire.

In my view, the PC is evening wear only, and should really only be worn with a 3 button waistcoat.

As an aside, I think the gauntlet cuffs of the Argyll make it a shade dressier than the Braemar or Crail variants.

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/which_jacket.htm

[artificer]

Let me toss that cat in amongst the pigeons and suggest a slightly more useful alternative:

A black barathea Argyll jack with both a 3 button and a 5 button waistcoat.

Worn with a black bow tie and 3 button waistcoat a black barathea Argyll is every bit as dressy as a Prince Charlie coatee; when paired with a 5 button waistcoat and a regular neck tie it is the same as a dark suit worn to dinner or a concert, wedding or a funeral. In effect, you get two outfits for the price of one, plus the paltry cost of a second waistcoat.

This is what I do.

I don't particularly care for the PC, I think the cut of the Argyll is more flattering to my body type, AND I can wear it for more events than the PC would be appropriate for.
I also have a bias-cut 4 button waistcoat that I can wear for black tie as well.

Usually the Argyll comes with a 5 button waistcoat, so keep an eye out on eBay for the 3 button. They pop up relatively regularly.

Macmillan,
thanks for the reply. I've been tossing this idea around as well and really like this option.
Does anyone else agree? If I can get more use out of the Argyle, I sure would like to!
I've been thinking that a PC would be a bit too formal for times when I'm at a wedding or non-black-tie-event.

What say you Rabble?

+ 1

ith:

[David Host]

Personally, I can't bear the thought of somebody wearing either a high cut waistcoat or a regular necktie to a black tie event. Personally I find the cut if a PC to be quite flattering but if you must, a black barathea Argyll jacket with both waistcoats sounds like an acceptable alternative to me.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Personally, I can't bear the thought of somebody wearing either a high cut waistcoat or a regular necktie to a black tie event. Personally I find the cut if a PC to be quite flattering but if you must, a black barathea Argyll jacket with both waistcoats sounds like an acceptable alternative to me.

David, before the now ubiquitous Prince Charlie Coatee appeared sometime around WWI, a "dress Argyll" was regularly worn as part of formal Highland attire. Opposite page 33 in the book "THE KILT A Manual of Scottish National Dress", written about 1913 by Loudon MacQueen Douglas, there is a photograph of the council of the Scottish Society in Edinburgh and all of the gentlemen are in formal attire (including jabots and dirks) and wearing dress Argyll jackets.

Now perhaps I've misinterpreted your comment ("but if you must, a black barathea Argyll jacket...sounds like an acceptable alternative to me."), but I would suggest that the Prince Charlie coatee is itself merely an "acceptable alternative" to any number of proper styles of Highland formal jackets.

[David Host]

Sorry about that, the tone of my comment can be a little misleading. Personally I think the better choice would be a regulation doublet rather than an Argyll jacket. I don't mean to imply that a Prince Charlie is the most traditional jacket for black tie, but personally I find the cut of the jacket to be quite flattering. Sorry for the misunderstanding!

[fluter]

As has been mentioned before, the black Argyll has one more trick in store; it could serve for a formal daytime event (morning dress).

Add in your best hose and shoes, perhaps a wing collar and a discreet cravat, and you'll look better than the groomsmen in their magenta cummerbunds, or whatever the bride & formal-wear shop concocted.

[Màrtainn]

David, before the now ubiquitous Prince Charlie Coatee appeared sometime around WWI, a "dress Argyll" was regularly worn as part of formal Highland attire. Opposite page 33 in the book "THE KILT A Manual of Scottish National Dress", written about 1913 by Loudon MacQueen Douglas, there is a photograph of the council of the Scottish Society in Edinburgh and all of the gentlemen are in formal attire (including jabots and dirks) and wearing dress Argyll jackets.

I'd love to see that photo! Could you scan it?
And by "dress Argyll jacket" you just mean black with silver buttons? Any kind of waistcoat with that? Or just like this?

argyll_slaters_co_uk2.jpg
(from http://www.blacktieguide.com/Supplemental/Scottish.htm)