Prince Charlie advice

[Cygnus]

If you're having the jacket tailor made for you, my recommendation would be to skip the Prince Charlie and go for the regulation doublet. The tashes are real attention getters without being too different from a dinner jacket or Prince Charlie coatee.

My thinking here is that (in my opinion) the regulation doublet is more versatile than the Prince Charlie in that it is great for black tie events and will add a bit of flair to your outfit, but it also has the added bonus of being in the same classification as the Montrose and Sheriffmuir doublets and so is also ideal for white-tie events.

You can take a PC up to white-tie level, too, it just tends to be outshone by these other doublets when you do.

Black, in my opinion, is the best choice of colour; though lots of folks prefer to have jackets and doublets made in the same material as their kilts (seems like a bit too much to me).

As for fabric, heavier is usually better as far as look goes because heavier fabric holds its shape better, won't wrinkle/crease as easily, etc. Heavier fabric is hotter, so you'll have to strike a balance between looks and comfort there. Barathea seems to be the norm.

I'm afraid I have little advice on construction methods, though Henderson Group Ltd. sells small and large jacket buttons. Just make sure the tashes aren't too far forward - because of the cut of the jacket and the fold of the lapels, having the tashes too far forward will usually lead to their weight pulling the jacket open and giving it a "bell" shape.

I'm anxious to see what you decide on and how it turns out (and the only way for me to see it is if you post pictures)!

[davidlpope]

If you're having the jacket tailor made for you, my recommendation would be to skip the Prince Charlie and go for the regulation doublet. The tashes are real attention getters without being too different from a dinner jacket or Prince Charlie coatee.

My thinking here is that (in my opinion) the regulation doublet is more versatile than the Prince Charlie in that it is great for black tie events and will add a bit of flair to your outfit, but it also has the added bonus of being in the same classification as the Montrose and Sheriffmuir doublets and so is also ideal for white-tie events.

You can take a PC up to white-tie level, too, it just tends to be outshone by these other doublets when you do.

***

David

[hot_rod29]

While I do have a linen suit, I'm not that worried about the heat. The kilt has built in ac after all! So I'll definitely be going with wool. If the Braemar Ghillie is truly suitable for Black Tie then I think I've found a winner. While I do like the look of the doublets I don't think they fit my style, but more importantly my fiance would not like them. She enjoys it when I wear my kilt and I don't want what I choose to wear with it making her uncomfortable. Plus with those I'm pretty limited in when I could wear them.

Hothir, if you could put me in touch with the mill that would be fantastic! My tailor is fairly limited in selection outside of traditional suitings and shirtings. The heavier wools appropriate to military and more formed jackets aren't really called for here.

I enjoyed what I've read so far at www.blacktieguide.com/ but I might have misspoken when I mentioned the "strict demands of fashion" what I was referring to was the fashion industry. To illustrate, I hate that women's clothes seem stuck in either the 50s or the 70s! Unless I'm really bumming around I'm pretty well dressed, I just don't care what the current fashion trend is. For example, my suits are 3 button, 3 piece, fitted cut with suspender buttons inside... even though I've been assured that is not the fashion this season. The suits are cleanly cut, elegant, with a timeless style and flatter my build. I don't care what so called designers are putting on the street this year, most of it is ugly IMHO.

I truly appreciate everyone's suggestions. Further insights into how the jacket should be constructed would be most helpful. Although after looking at the prices at MackinzieFrain I might have to give them a call if their quality is good?!

Lastly, is a Black (or other dark tone) silk cravat an acceptable alternative to the black bowtie for a black-tie event? I have a traditional self tie bowtie for black-tie. I just like the look of a cravat better, especially with the kilt.