What jacket for my proposed situation?

[ohiopiper]

So I've been accumulating odds and ends for my traditional Highland outfit. The things I have not yet purchased I have decided on, and am just waiting for the paychecks to roll in (and out).

All except the jacket.

I will be wearing this for solo piping gigs (not many, but several a year) and possibly some formal events. Prince Charlie seems to be the standard for pipers and evening wear, but the Argyll seems to be more versatile. Maybe I'm overthinking the versatility issue since I plan to wear it in limited circumstances?

Since everybody here knows more about this than I do, please give me some advice on which to spend the cash.

[Downunder Kilt]

I think if you get the argyll with both the 5 button and 3 button vests you will be covered for any eventuality from daytime to black tie formal.

[MacLowlife]

May I suggest a navy blue argyll? At night, it will appear black anyway, but in the daytime it will be that tiny bit less formal and funereal. I never wear a black blazer with my troosers, but I wear navy all of the time. Despite its great versatility, the black argyll, with silver buttons, sometimes can verge on too much- when everyone else is wearing tweeds, for instance. Navy gives you that needed step towards informality. Of course, if you are piping, you may want the uniform look, but don't discount the navy blazer effect.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Go with the Argyll jacket and both a five button and three button waistcoat. Then whether piping or not, no matter what the occasion, you've got all bases covered.

[Jerry]

Check out this thread for the different jackets and how they look with various accessories. I have a jacket on order that looks somewhat like Glen's 6th picture.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

[Tobus]

Prince Charlie seems to be the standard for pipers

It is? I can't say that I've ever seen a piper wearing a PC.

[EagleJCS]

Prince Charlie seems to be the standard for pipers

It is? I can't say that I've ever seen a piper wearing a PC.

I agree with Tobus. I've been involved in the P&D world for about 10 years now, and have yet to see a piper in a Prince Charlie, unless they were piping for a wedding (usually it's by request of the bride). The band I play with rarely wears a jacket at all (too warm for most of the outdoor season).

For the majority of the time, I'd say an Argyle-style jacket (Argyle, Crail, Braemar, etc.) in navy or black would be just fine. Pair it with a 5-button waistcoat and long tie to spiff it up a little, or a three-button and bow tie for more formal events.

[PEEDYC]

If you check out the pictures of pipers at Highland Gatherings most wear an Argyle Jacket or a Waistcoat. I think you would have most events covered with that combination.

[artificer]

Not to derail the thread, but on the note of a 3 button waistcoat with an Argyll, does anyone know of a place where the 3 button waistcoat can be purchased by itself?

I've been having a devil of a time trying to find one. When I was searching for a different 5 button all I could find on eBay were 3 buttons, now it seems reversed.

[MacLowlife]

I believe the easiest solution to the 3 button waistcoat search - if you have a black Argyll- is to get a general purpose (i.e., Saxon) black formal waistcoat in moire taffeta or silk faille, or even in satin. It is nice to have the texture of the waistcoat match your tie. One small advantage is that this kind of waistcoat may well be backless and cooler to wear. Anyway, the next step is to put small silver buttons on it to match your jacket.

I believe it is better to have a formal vest that doesn't try to match your jacket than to have a barathea or flannel one that just misses in color or texture. You'd be surprised at just how many shades of black there can be.

Now get out the crowbar and let's see if we can get this thing back on track...