"De-formalizing" a black argyle...

**Joshua** · 9th May 11, 04:21 PM

Ok guys... I ordered a black argyle jacket... it was the only color that a man of my size and fiscal means could muster.

Funny thing tho, my dress sporran is brown rabbit fur with a bronze cantle, to which I've ordered a brass waist plate w/brown belt. Normally I'm not a "matching leather" kind of guy, but seeing as my favorite sporran was brown, and my only dress sporran was brown with brass cantle, it made sense to get a brass plate and brown belt...

But this damn argyle... it's got the square/diamond "celtic" PC buttons on it. I really wanted a more subdued look.

Anyone seen a black argyle jacket with stag or brass buttons on it?

I have a formal event to attend in June, and plan on wearing the jacket then... of course it's on it's way from the UK right now... I could get it, try it on with my brown leather goods, and think "well, this looks ok", but something tells me that's not going to be the case.

**sydnie7** · 9th May 11, 04:24 PM

Check out the tux jacket conversion I did. I put brass anchor buttons on it and Bob wears it with a brass/bronze-finish cantle sporran. He does use black leathers and the sporran is black bunny.

**MacLowlife** · 9th May 11, 04:38 PM

I am sure you can change the buttons, but you can also shift the look a little with a checked shirt, or a tattersall one, etc, for less formal occasions. Brass buttons ( or yellow metal ones) come in a wide range and you should have no trouble finding some that will match your other metals. You may want to upgrade or leave off some accessories- maybe just get a black belt for the bronze buckle.

Show us some pictures when you have the chance, please.

**Mark Stephenson** · 9th May 11, 05:48 PM

I know nothing about sewing, so forgive me if this is a dumb comment...
I wonder if it would be possible to have interchangeable buttons? It sure would be convenient if you could just switch buttons. On the jacket, the buttons don't have to function as a "button", so there is no tugging or pulling on the buttons. This might not work on the waistcoat, and so perhaps one could have two waistcoats - one with silver dress buttons and one with informal buttons. OK you tailors out there - is this possible?

**sydnie7** · 9th May 11, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Stephenson

I know nothing about sewing, so forgive me if this is a dumb comment...
I wonder if it would be possible to have interchangeable buttons? It sure would be convenient if you could just switch buttons. On the jacket, the buttons don't have to function as a "button", so there is no tugging or pulling on the buttons. This might not work on the waistcoat, and so perhaps one could have two waistcoats - one with silver dress buttons and one with informal buttons. OK you tailors out there - is this possible?

A few related threads:
supplies

Look at the detail shot in post #9

**Mark Stephenson** · 9th May 11, 06:02 PM

Sidnie7 - THANKS!
So... has anyone tried switching out buttons?

**RockyR** · 9th May 11, 06:13 PM

The Welsh jackets we carry all have gold colored buttons, so yes it's been done and yes, it looks fine.

**Mark Stephenson** · 9th May 11, 06:18 PM

Thanks Rocky. Do you ever supply jackets with an extra set of interchangeable buttons?

**RockyR** · 9th May 11, 06:22 PM

Not as standard. it's something we would have to look into.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 9th May 11, 07:07 PM

Originally Posted by Joshua

Anyone seen a black argyle jacket with stag or brass buttons on it?

The answer to both questions is yes, and in my opinion the brass buttons fall short of the mark.

You might consider black knotted leather buttons as a subtle alternative to the chrome plated square ones currently on your jacket.