Black or Charcoal Argyll

[OC Richard]

In the old days a jacket made of fine black cloth with silver buttons was regarded as an Evening Dress jacket regardless of whether it was cut as a Doublet, or as an Argyll.

(Prince Charlie coatees and other modern styles didn't exist yet.)

You can find numerous photos showing Argyll-cut jackets worn with quite formal dress.



In one of my vintage catalogues these are offered, and called the "Evening Argyll" jacket.

The same cut, done in tweed, with plain or horn buttons, is a Day Dress jacket.

[DyerStraits]

As someone who wore suits for quite a few years I look at this question much the same as I did then.

I will always choose a charcol tweed over a black barathea for any event short of Buisness attire.

If I were in a boardroom, then yes black. With black buttons.
For everyday wear a solid black jacket is too stark for me.

Today I attend very few 'coat and tie' events. The occasional funeral, an annual Burns dinner and about 10-15 annual speaking engagments to small informal groups.

If I were in trousers attending the same events, Charcoal Tweed 3 piece or Tweed jacket without vest would be considered correct.

I also have both black and charcoal tweed, for exactly these reasons...