Belt or no belt?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I too concur-- Mr. Thompson must have dropped a line out of the text or something. With ordinary white tie the waistcoat should not hang below the front edge of the jacket. (I know you'll see all sorts of photos to the contrary, but that's how it is supposed to look). Since Prince Charlie Coatees are derived from the ordinary tail coat, the line of the jacket and waistcoat would be the same. In any event, the bottom of the waistcoat has to extend over the top of the kilt-- usually about 2-3 inches depending on your build.

I think what Thompson probably intended to say was that the belt should not extend below the waistcoat-- unfortunately wearing a belt under the waistcoat spoils the look of the waistcoat, especially if one is in evening wear.

I had a friend (yes, I actually did have a friend, once, but that was a long, long, time ago) who always wore a dirk with evening wear. He over came the belt problem by modifying a shoulder holster (!) from which he hung his dirk.

Where there is a will, there is a way!