Argyll and Braemar Jackets...

[CalBlaylock]

I've got a couple of questions regarding jackets. If I'm posting this in the wrong place, please forgive a newbie.

First, is there a hard and fast rule at all regarding which one is more formal than the other? They have very similar silhouettes, and I'm at a loss as to which one is "classier" than the other.

Second, would it be a serious faux pas to wear either one with slacks? I want to expand my wardrobe, and need another sport coat anyway, and figure if I can get away with a "two birds with one stone" solution, it would help convince the love of my life that it's not a completely frivolous purchase...

[Steve Ashton]

There is no hard and fast rule about the names of the kilt jackets.

However, most makers today use this method.




The jacket itself, the pocket treatment, the epaulets, the front 1 button closure, are exactly the same. Just the cuff treatment is different.

The so called Irish jacket exchanges shawl collars for the notched collar and add a button chain on the front.

But the main differences in a jacket cut for a kilt and one cut for trousers is that the kilt jacket will be shorter. Just a bit shorter than the length as the sleeves.
And
A kilt jacket will be cut away in the front for the sporran.

So while you can wear a trouser cut jacket with a kilt or a kilt cut jacket with trousers, most people will be able to notice that something is different and not quite 'right'.

[CalBlaylock]

Thank you for the clarification!

I'm disappointed (can't get away with making the purchase a "two for one"), but honestly I expected as much, so I'm not surprised.

As a follow-up question, is there any difference between what's marketed as a "Prince Charlie Vest" and a regular men's waistcoat? It doesn't look to my eye like there is, but I want to be sure I'm not overlooking something.

[Randy McIntosh]

To my understanding a regular waistcoat is a 5 button and the Prince Charlie waistcoat is a 3 button

[Jock Scot]

You could attack the problem from a different direction. Kilt jackets are worn with properly cut tartan trews. I should add that even with properly cut trews, they are not particularly flattering to those of us that are a bit "broad about the beam".

[The Wizard of BC]

Let me see if I can answer two questions at the same time.

"is there any difference between what's marketed as a "Prince Charlie Vest" and a regular men's waistcoat? "

"To my understanding a regular waistcoat is a 5 button and the Prince Charlie waistcoat is a 3 button"

In general "Vest" is used in American English for the same thing that in English English is called a waistcoat. If you go by the old definition a Vest is different from a Waistcoat (Weskit).

The usual garment worn under an Argyle type jacket has 5 or 6 buttons and no lapels.
The usual garment worn under a Prince Charlie Coatee has 3 buttons and shawl lapels.

Both of these have the satin back with the adjuster buckle so are not worn without the jacket. Technically a vest is a casual garment without sleeves that can be worn as an outer garment.

The 'vest'/'waistcoat' worn with the Prince Charlie is sort of like a cummerbund. In fact I have examples in my shop where the 'vest' has no back and the buttons are not real. The thing is pulled over the head and held with a strap across the back. It is only decorative like a cummerbund.

A Vest/Waistcoat worn under the Prince Charlie Coatee



A cummerbund Vest/Waistcoat



A Vest/Waistcoat worn under an Argyle Jacket




Technically this is a vest.