Button question

[BCAC]

Everyone here says that the Argyll Jacket in black with "silver" buttons is a formal jacket.

I bought my Braemar Jacket from GT and they have an option to have either "shiny" or "antique" buttons on your jacket.

I have "antique" buttons on my jacket.

Unfortunately I don't have much money and I can't afford to buy another jacket so I wear this jacket for daywear (non formal).

So, with my "antique" buttons, is my Braemar jacket still considered a formal jacket?

It doesn't really matter much (I have to make do with what I have) but I'd like to know.

Thanks in advance.

[davidg]

Yes, because the buttons are still representing shiny buttons that have got a bit duller (a patina) through age

However, Argyll/Braemar jackets are SEMI formal jackets. That makes them versatile and suitable for wearing at slightly more formal daytime events. In practice they are worn to most events that require you to look smart

Simply dress it down with plain leather sporran and it is the equivalent of a business suit. Formal, but not too formal

Just watch when you dress it up for the evening events that you match the antique finish across other accessories like kilt pin, sgian dubh (maybe), belt buckle etc otherwise you could end up looking a bit odd

[MacMillans son]

And, to add to what davidg has mentioned, I have also heard that you can stretch it's utility a little bit further by paring it with a 3 button waistcoat and bow tie vs. a 5 button waistcoat and straight tie. Though, like most everything else I know about Highland attire, that is from my learned friends here, not from my personal knowledge or experience.

[davidg]

And, to add to what davidg has mentioned, I have also heard that you can stretch it's utility a little bit further by paring it with a 3 button waistcoat and bow tie vs. a 5 button waistcoat and straight tie. Though, like most everything else I know about Highland attire, that is from my learned friends here, not from my personal knowledge or experience.

And if he does then he can get a set of matching buttons from GT to put on the waistcoat. They only cost a pound or so a button. GT also do belt buckles, cufflinks and kilt pin to match the buttons

[CMcG]

My Braemar has antiqued buttons, though I did this myself aftermarket. I agree with davidg that it still has all the versatility of the shiny button version. Here are a couple pictures of me illustrating MacMillan's son's point about switching accessories to change the formality:

[Tim Little]

However, Argyll/Braemar jackets are SEMI formal jackets. That makes them versatile and suitable for wearing at slightly more formal daytime events. In practice they are worn to most events that require you to look smart

Simply dress it down with plain leather sporran and it is the equivalent of a business suit. Formal, but not too formal

Just watch when you dress it up for the evening events that you match the antique finish across other accessories like kilt pin, sgian dubh (maybe), belt buckle etc otherwise you could end up looking a bit odd

***

I actually have the same GT jacket (in navy blue) myself, and lacking a true day jacket (i.e., tweed argyll) I find it generally works ok in most "formal, but not too formal" settings, such as in the photo below, taken at an evening wedding a few years ago:

[bigdad1]

And to really stretch the utility you can just do what you want to do and throw out the opinions of the "kilt police" and satisfy your self. Just as long as you do it with taste.

[davidg]

And to really stretch the utility you can just do what you want to do and throw out the opinions of the "kilt police" and satisfy your self. Just as long as you do it with taste.

And which kilt police would those be? I thought BCAC was asking for advice on traditional conventions, not instructions that he must slavishly follow or be locked up

Discussion forums discuss, they don't dictate ith:

[MacRobert's Reply]

A black Braemar jacket with 'silver' buttons is really the Scottish highland equivalent of Anglo-Saxon morning dress, although it is also fine for a less formal black-tie do. Tweed highland jackets are generally considered to be the equivalent of the Anglo-Saxon lounge suit. However, as others have said, you can always dress your Braemar up or down a bit with the sporran.

Whatever the conventions, wear what you've got ... and enjoy it!