Jacket preference

[Downunder Kilt]

What kind of "more formal" occasions are you planning to wear it for?

Personally, I think if you don't have a black Argyll, that should come before a PC. It is much more versatile and usually more appropriate.

I think you will get far more wear out of the Argyll, Just ask yourself, how many times do I go to Black tie functions in a year where I would wear a PC?

[David Thorpe]

I was inspired by this thread to wear my black Argyle "dressed down" to a function last night - plain white shirt and striped tie, no vest. I had never thought of it before. It was comfortable, just the right level of formality for the occasion and I was not alone. There were a couple of PCs and a couple of tweeds, but the overwhelming majority of gentlemen there were dressed as I was, albeit some with vests.
File it under old dog/new tricks.

[Jock Scot]

I am still not sure how formal your formal is. If you are meaning "black tie" events then the black Barathea silver buttoned argyll will get you by. A trick that I learned many years ago with the black barathea argyll is to have two sets of buttons, one silver and one black. Black buttons make the argyll very smart indeed without the bling of the more formal silver buttons. You will probably find that the buttons on your jacket , when it arrives , will be held on by a "split ring system" so changing buttons is a relatively simple job.

However if we are not talking "black tie" use, then a tweed argyll of almost any sensible hue will be your most versitile jacket. Remember that the tweed argyle is the suit equivalent in kilt attire and the black barathea argyll is really the most formal of formal day wear(morning suit)although, as we know, it will get you by for "black tie" events.

[A Robertson]

I go along with the Argyle crowd. You can wear it any where, any how. You'd look a bit daft going out shopping with a PC with satin lapels.

I have to admit though, it is very confusing for us Brits when formal/casual/black tie/ white tie/tuxedo events are mentioned. In UK we have only two codes of dress - casual (every day wear) or smart (posh).

[OC Richard]

Good idea, Jock. True that having all those silver buttons locks you into a full-bling look, in a way.

About a tweed Argyll of a "sensible hue" it's hard to beat the charcoal tweed Argyll. It looks rather dressy. I dressed like this to pipe at a Robert Burns Supper where all the other men were in black Prince Charlies, lace jabots, shoulder plaids, and all the other over-the-top finery usually seen here at such events

[Shedlock2000]

I can totally agree with Tulloch - though definitely not formal:



People like to to see the silver buttons, and I certainly don't mind them - but from the posts we have shared on Facebook, Stoo, you dress more contemporarily, and because of that, I think you would do better in a Wallace and 5 button waistcoat: it is smart enough for semi-formal occasions, and informal enough to be used most days; get a PC much later on, when you and I are invited to mix at black tie soirées!

That said, I am a huge fan of the shaggy tweed look:


Were that it were that I could afford Howie's stuff!