White-tie detail question

**Zardoz** · 11th January 10, 10:09 AM

Without discourse on white-tie with kilt in general, let's say that one is going to wear white-tie (white shirt, bowtie and waistcoat) with a Prince Charlie or Sheriffmuir. Here's the qustion; should the buttons on the white waistcoat match the jacket buttons, or just be white?

**piperdbh** · 11th January 10, 10:15 AM

Just be white.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 11th January 10, 11:17 AM

Traditionally the buttons of the waistcoat worn with white tie are white. There is no reason why they could not be silver (to match the buttons of your coatee) or gold. Black buttons, however, should be avoided. Subtlety is the watchword for formal attire.

That said, this is one of those times when it is probably best to be a slave to tradition and stick with the white buttons.

**MacRobert's Reply** · 11th January 10, 11:43 AM

I use silver to match those on a five button waistcoat with the Sheriffmuir or a low-cut, three-button waistcoat with the PC but pearl or white are more usual.

**MacLowlife** · 11th January 10, 02:22 PM

Many white tie vests have their buttons on those little cotter pins, which makes for easy swappage. If you have three small square kilt-type buttons, I'd give them a try. If you like them, great. The best part is, you don't have to button or unbutton them- just pop the thing off from the back. One more hint- the whole rig looks best with a lot of starch- shirt, vest, tie.

**MacLowlife** · 11th January 10, 05:36 PM

I'd love to know more about that couple and the circumstances of the photo...

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 11th January 10, 06:16 PM

That's a photo of the Earl and Countess of Mansfield taken on the 20th of May, 1957, at the Caledonian Ball. The Earl is wearing the uniform of an officer in the Atholl Highlanders.

**MacLowlife** · 11th January 10, 06:45 PM

I KNEW they looked familiar. I believe I was nicking their hubcaps just as that shot was taken.

**McMurdo** · 11th January 10, 07:45 PM

The photo is in the Vintage thread with a complete discription. As to the OP I'd stick with white, however if I had a white waistcoat with silver or gold buttons I would not worry about it to much.