Belt with formal outfit?

[Gunnar]

Should I wear a belt when I'm wearing the Prince Charlie, Full dress sporran and the fly plaid?

[Bugbear]

No because the belt is never worn with a waistcoat. The waistcoat doesn't fit well over the belt. Also, the PC is never worn without the three button waistcoat. Hope that makes sense.

[Gunnar]

Yes. Strangely that makes sense

[M. A. C. Newsome]

No because the belt is never worn with a waistcoat. The waistcoat doesn't fit well over the belt. Also, the PC is never worn without the three button waistcoat. Hope that makes sense.

The Prince Charlie also looks good with a cummerbund. But then the same principle would apply as with the vest -- no belt.

[Bugbear]

The Prince Charlie also looks good with a cummerbund. But then the same principle would apply as with the vest -- no belt.

Thanks for pointing that out, Matt.

I guess the other side of that is that a belt should always be worn when not wearing a waistcoat or cummerbund. I think the mess jackets and Brian Boru jackets are worn without a waistcoat, but I might be wrong.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Thanks for pointing that out, Matt.

I guess the other side of that is that a belt should always be worn when not wearing a waistcoat or cummerbund.

Hmmm... I don't know if I'd say that as a rule, necessarily. As this thread is about formal wear, one could say you were correct. For formal attire, unless you are wearing a vest or a cummerbund, I'd wear a belt.

However, I don't think that statement is true for casual wear. There are all kinds of circumstances in casual wear where you might not wear a belt. For what it's worth, I'd rather see no belt with casual wear than a dress belt worn with casual wear.

M

[Nick]

There's a dummy in a window in Leeds that has a waistcoat and belt. I cringe every time I see it.

But I'm not so sure it's the store just trying to sell more stuff. Three piece suits are making a bit of a resurgence, and whenever I see a guy wearing a waistcoat (almost always sans jacket), the trousers are too low and he's wearing a belt. The trousers should be high enough that there's no gap showing shirt between, and they should be held up by braces.

What I don't know is if it's because dress-down is the new formal (I did see an article extolling this), or they just don't know how these elements were made to go together.

[Bugbear]

Hmmm... I don't know if I'd say that as a rule, necessarily. As this thread is about formal wear, one could say you were correct. For formal attire, unless you are wearing a vest or a cummerbund, I'd wear a belt.

However, I don't think that statement is true for casual wear. There are all kinds of circumstances in casual wear where you might not wear a belt. For what it's worth, I'd rather see no belt with casual wear than a dress belt worn with casual wear.

M

I feel the same way, Matt. The buckles are too fancy looking for casual dress. Although, I do wear a plain looking, two prong work belt for a casual look in a lot of cases. I'm usually dressed for casual when I wear a kilt.

[Bugbear]

It was difficult to write. Good luck.

[marblemap]

Price Charlie coat with vest - no belt.