PC colour question

[David Dubh]

I'm sure that we are all familiar with the ubiquitous black PC, which I too own.
I have two questions.
1) If you were to have a coloured one is it still black tie formal? would it look out of place?
2) If you were to do it in a different colour what colour would you do?

I'm not necessarily going to get one this is more a curiosity question.
Slainte David

[Peter Crowe]

I'm sure that we are all familiar with the ubiquitous black PC, which I too own.
I have two questions.
1) If you were to have a coloured one is it still black tie formal? would it look out of place?
2) If you were to do it in a different colour what colour would you do?

I'm not necessarily going to get one this is more a curiosity question.
Slainte David

David, In Traditional Highland Civilian Dress evening attire one is not confined to a black jacket or doublet, however with the PC and the Regulation doublet I personally would recommend a black bow tie regardless of the jacket's colour.

When I ordered my PC I got it in Archer Green, because:
a) Like you I personally find black PC's ubiquitous.
b) I liked Archer Green as a colour option

I have no reason to regret my decision and there are various options available. I went for a PC as I didn't (still don't) anticipate many occasions when I would wear an even grander doublet although my father has a barathea Montrose in a similar green. However, were I going to that level of formality I would personally prefer the single breasted Kenmore with 'tashes' in Archer green barathea.

My PC has plain faced peaked lapels rather than satin or silk, because the supplier I got mine from faced their coloured PC's in black satin or silk which I personally dislike (there is nothing 'wrong' with such facings I just personally don't care for them). Some other suppliers match the silk/satin facings to the colour of the jacket and had that been an option with mine, I would have had them added.

[cck]

I agree with Peter and see no reason I must wear black with my formal kilt attire. The Craig tartan has a grey background with green and a reddish orange. Not my choice of colors, but I had no choice in the name either. I attend a number of "black tie" events and wear a medium grey PC, which I think goes very well. The tie, of course, is black.

[Chas]

Besides my black PC, I also own and wear an Archer Green and Navy Blue PC. With my Flower of Scotland, I prefer the green and with my Royal Air Force, I prefer the blue. The black is for everything else.

If I could afford another, It would be a toss-up between Wine Red and White.

Regards

Chas

[CDNSushi]

1) If you were to have a coloured one is it still black tie formal? would it look out of place?

It's formal, yes... But would it look out of place? Let's just say that if there's a sea of black and you're the only one wearing a different colour, then of course you'll stand out. The real question becomes, do you WANT to stand out? Is it appropriate to the occasion if you do indeed stand out?

2) If you were to do it in a different colour what colour would you do?

Cobalt blue with black brocade shawl collar.

[OC Richard]

1) If you were to have a coloured one is it still black tie formal? would it look out of place?
2) If you were to do it in a different colour what colour would you do?

In my vintage Highland Dress catalogues, Prince Charlies (called "coatees" originally) are often listed and illustrated in blue, and green. (Deep shades of both.)

Note that here, in 1936, no black formal jackets are shown



As far as I know, formal Highland Dress jackets can be practically any colour, and this has no ill effect on the formality. In fact the very most formal jackets, perhaps, are the tartan ones. So at a formal event one might see a wide variety of jacket styles (Prince Charlie, Regulation Doublet, Montrose Doublet, Sherriffmuir Doublet, Kenmore Doublet, etc etc in a wide variety of colours (dark blue, light blue, green, brown, tan, tartan, red, claret/Burgundy etc etc) and all are on equal footing. At a wedding not long ago I saw a gent in a grey tweed Sherriffmuir Doublet and he seemed, to me, to be one of the most formally-dressed men there.

As far as a colours go, long ago in my youth I had a lovely claret velvet Montrose Doublet, and when I attended events I was as well-dressed as any man there.

[Tobus]

It's formal, yes... But would it look out of place? Let's just say that if there's a sea of black and you're the only one wearing a different colour, then of course you'll stand out. The real question becomes, do you WANT to stand out? Is it appropriate to the occasion if you do indeed stand out?

This pretty much sums up my thoughts on it too. If you're the one guy wearing a kilt in a crowd of men wearing black tuxedos (or other styles of bifurcated evening dress, all of which will likely be black), you have to decide how much you want to stand out. Granted, the kilt is going to make you stand out anyway. But the jacket colour and hose choice will likely be the two most important factors that make you either stand WAY out or somewhat blend it.

If wearing it to an event where Highland attire is expected and others will be wearing kilts, I'd go with a coloured jacket hands-down. My choice would be the previously mentioned Archer Green. Failing that, a deep maroon would be very nice.

[piperdbh]

Since the original questions have been answered, I have one about the illustration in OC R's post. The Tartan Travel Rugs are priced "from 25/- to 70/-". Does that mean they were priced from 25 GBP to 70 GBP? That seems more like today's prices rather than the era of this catalog.

[Chas]

Since the original questions have been answered, I have one about the illustration in OC R's post. The Tartan Travel Rugs are priced "from 25/- to 70/-". Does that mean they were priced from 25 GBP to 70 GBP? That seems more like today's prices rather than the era of this catalog.

Ah, no.

25/ means 25 shillings. There were 20 shillings to a £.

25/ would be £1.25

70/ would be £3.50

Regards

Chas

[piperdbh]

Ah, no.

25/ means 25 shillings. There were 20 shillings to a £.

25/ would be £1.25

70/ would be £3.50

Regards

Chas

The 2 shilling rugs would cost approx. $2. I wish those prices were still in effect. Thanks, Chas.