imperfect waistcoat vs. cummerbund w/ PC

[neeah613l]

Hi all y'all (excuse my Texan), say you're buying your PC jacket and waistcoat separately. Which would you do: buy the waistcoat even though it might not match perfectly (you know how many shades of black there are!) or wear a cummebund? Speaking from a girl's standpoint, I think a cummerbund looks really good. But I've seen people with very strong opinions both pro and con on here... so, given that those are your choices, what'd you do? We don't like the look of PC jacket with a belt and no waistcoat.

[McMurdo]

I would say go ahead and buy the Jacket and waistcoat seperately, however when you go for the second piece take the first with you and see if you can at least closely match the black. I would not wear the cumberbund with the PC

[DTrain]

People wear colored or black PATTERNED vests with a tuxedo all the time. Now, I haven't exactly ever seen that with a kilt and PC, but the point is this: a very minor difference in the black color probably won't be noticed.

If you are buying the vest over the internet, matching it to the PC will be tough. Be sure there is a return policy if needed.

Overall your best option is to get both together.

[neeah613l]

Wow, you gentlemen reply so quickly. You're just wonderful. Thank yoU!

[Macman]

I would say go ahead and buy the Jacket and waistcoat seperately, however when you go for the second piece take the first with you and see if you can at least closely match the black. I would not wear the cumberbund with the PC

I agree. I wouldn't wear a cummerbund with a kilt.

[Panache]

If you are looking for an alternative to a vest with a PC Jacket, may I suggest a matching waist plate (belt buckle) and sporran cantle. Pour1Malt has used such in the past to great effect.

Cheers

Jamie

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Not only would I NOTwear a cummerbund with a kilt, I wouldn't loose any sleep over the waistcoat not being the same shade of black as the PC. Gentlemen don't notice these things, and if they do, the logical assumption is that something's been replaced. Suppose you bought both jacket and waistcoat at the same time, and the cleaners lost your waistcoat. Would you throw away the PC and start over again? Of course not. You'd buy another waistcoat and get on with life. I'd avoid a patterned or "tone on tone" waistcoat as they tend to look ridiculously "Palm Beach Country Club" when worn with a kilt. The cut of the waistcoat with a PC is of critical importance. It should be low cut, with three, and no more than four, buttons. So, as other have suggested, try and buy them both at the same time-- but if you can't, then buy a standard black PC waistcoat when you can, and don't worry about matching the exact shade of black.

[Carolina Kiltman]

I might add that when a PC is worn, the lighting is generally not too bright anyway, so minor differences in colour probably won't show. The more important thing is to be sure the fabric has the same texture. That will make an obvious difference, even if the colours are an exact match.

[An t-Ileach]

To add to what Rathdown wrote, people over this side of the pond often have a coat that is somewhat old and have to replace it - or the waistcoat needs replacing and not the coat - so it's not that unusual to find varied shades of black.

Of course, there's the other possibility and don't try and match the shades of black at all but get a waistcoat in some other colour that compliments or picks out one of the colours of the tartan.

I don't wear a Prince Charlie for personal reasons. I have a black Argyll. I also have three black waistcoats of varying antiquity, none of them coming with the coat. One was my father's, and I think one was my grandfather's (or it might have been my father's when he was young). They are, to be frank (and understated), somewhat different shades of black from the Argyll.

If anybody's noticed they haven't said anything. Perhaps they just think, "hey, look at that bloke wearing his grandfather's waistcoat".

[Alan H]

I"d echo what MacMillan of Rathdown said.

Just my two cents, but I'd suggest NOT wearing a cummerbund with a kilt.