Opinions of the jacket I went for, and some other jacket related talk.

[Son of the Rock]

Hi, I recently purchased pretty much the whole shebang from Hector Russell the last time I was in Edinburgh. I wanted to go for something that was flexible, like an Argyll and nice semi-dress sporran. Hector Russell currently throw in the jacket (not the waistcoat, unless you're getting a Prince Charlie) for free if you buy the rest of the aforementioned shebang. Anyway, it turns out that Hector Russell, who I think make their own jackets, have decided to drop the traditional Argyll style as part of their semi-formal offering by keeping the cuffs a non-Aryll-style fold over, one button affair. The reasoning being, they felt that traditional Argyll's lent more towards the Prince Charlie side, rather than something in the middle. This, to my knowledge, makes it a Crail. It was the first Crail I've seen that was black-wool with silver-square buttons; any others I've seen were tweed. It fitted well and looked good, nice waistcoat too, so I gave it the good to go.

What do you guys think of this kind of jacket as a flexible semi-formal choice?

Also on the subject of Crails, I would also like to ask why so many dealers, including reputable ones, market Braemars as Crails. As far as I have read, a Braemar features Prince Charlie-style cuffs, where as Crails feature less ornate cuffs than a standard Argyll.

Here is the only picture of the jacket I bought that I can get until my kilt is finished and gets sent to me.

http://www.hector-russell.com/images...2_portrait.jpg

[McMurdo]

That does look like a great jacket, I think you might wish to look at the following two threads that discuss formality in detail with regards to jackets.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-attire-46888/

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...91/index3.html

[Spartan Tartan]

The cuff does not impact the formality of the jacket... That said, I much prefer the gauntlet cuff myself.

and another

[DyerStraits]

I like it quite a bit. As versatile as a "standard" gauntlet-cuffed Argyle jacket is (especially in black), I eventually also bought a black twill three-button day-wear kilt jacket--with horn buttons, unembellished cuffs and no shoulder straps--which, for anything other than formal or semi-formal occasions, is for me a better choice, but as a one-choice solution this Hector Russell "modified" Argyle model also bridges the gap rather well in my opinion.

[TheOfficialBren]

I love Crail styled jackets.

Congratulations on your latest acquisitions. Hector Russell has some very nice wares.



Regarding your question: many companies make the same basic jacket (as a template) and then add various bits and bobs (gauntlets, buttons, et cetera) in various combinations. They market one combo as a "[placeholder]" jacket and another as a
"[placeholder]" jacket. There isn't a standardised nomenclature, to the best of my knowledge that defines a Braemar or a Crail.

I may be wrong, though. It happens on occasion.

[Tobus]

It's hard to tell from that photo what the cuffs look like. It almost looks like no turnback at all, though I can maybe see where they did a very narrow straight turnback. Interesting choice. It gives the jacket a very modern streamlined look. I like the more traditional Argyle cuffs, but I can see how this would be a fairly versatile jacket for dressy occasions (I'm still unclear what "semi-formal" is).

Does it have epaulets? The photo makes it hard to see detail.

[Carlo]

If it is still the same design as last year, then we do have the "same" jacket.
I think it is quite smart and will get you through many situations.
Have fun and enjoy.

[Son of the Rock]

Thanks for the opinions guys, when all my stuff is ready and comes in like a week or so, I'll post some pictures.

As for epaulets, it indeed has them. As far as I could see, it was the same as an Argyll, but without the gauntlet-cuffs, instead being replaced with just a single square silver button, inkeeping with the buttons on the rest of the jacket. Like most Crails, the cuffs seem to have no turnback. I'll post some pictures when it comes.

Also, thanks for the links on formality. They will certainly be useful.

[rondo]

I prefer the less ornate jackets... more streamlined, less to fuss with.
Rondo

[The Wizard of BC]

Each retailer wants to have something slightly different to attract customers. However with only three or four jacket makers in the entire UK the actual difference is mostly in name only.

Lochcarron uses this photo in their catalog.



This clearly shows that the only difference in these three jackets is the sleeve cuff treatment. (note that all three are single button front, with round, cord like, braided epaulettes, scalloped and buttoned pocket flaps.)

The Argyle Gauntlet cuff lends its name to the Argyle Jacket.
The placket style cuff we associate with the Prince Charlie and it is called a Braemar.
And if there is one single button but no little slit opening it is called a Crail.

This naming only holds for Lochcarron.

Now compare the above to the jacket on the right below.