Silk Formal Waistcoats? - X Marks the Scot

Bugbear · #1 06-07-2009, 03:04 PM

I've been looking into the formal waistcoats and keep coming across silk waistcoats.

Any opinions about wearing the silk rather than the wool waistcoats with kilts?

While looking into this, I read, on a black tie attire advice site, suggestions that one should buy a black silk waistcoat rather than a wool waistcoat, if needing to add one to an outfit, because the black wool would never match the black wool of the jacket, and look mismatched.

Should I just ignore that advice and not worry too much about it?

Thank you.

JolyStNicholas · #2 06-07-2009, 03:07 PM

I don't care for the silk ones due to the shine the material offers up in the light.
It is lighter and cooler, that is a positive. Just my opinion.

Sir William · #3 06-07-2009, 03:51 PM

I recently purchased a tartan waistcoat, cumberbund, and tie. My wife firm puts on one or two formal black tie events each year and I thought I might add a bit of color to my outfit. My preference is for the tartan tie and waistcoat, rather than the tie and cumberbund, but I'm ready for any contingency.

I originally looked for all three in silk but couldn't get a matching tartan tie, so I went with a lightweight wool instead. I don't think wool detracts from the look at all.

Bugbear · #4 06-07-2009, 04:30 PM

This would be a black waistcoat, and I would have a black, satin silk, self tie, bow tie. I need to get a new bow tie.

I actually prefer the scoop front, four button waistcoats. I'm also trying to decide, as often discussed on the forum, whether the waistcoat would be "the formal waistcoat" for my whole closet, or to keep it separate or exclusive to the kilt attire.

Sir William · #5 06-07-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

This would be a black waistcoat, and I would have a black, satin silk, self tie, bow tie. I need to get a new bow tie.

In that case, I would opt for a black satin waistcoat. I have one of those as well - I like it better than a cumberbund and it gets more compliments.

Bugbear · #6 06-07-2009, 10:46 PM

I guess the bow tie is supposed to be the same type of material as the lapels of the jacket.

Some people seem to use those backless waistcoats, but they are usually wool with satin lapels rather than silk.

I wonder what exactly people really do notice...

Bugbear · #7 06-08-2009, 02:33 AM

I've been looking at different tuxedo sites for the three button waistcoats. I mostly find five or six button waistcoats that are supposed to be tuxedo vests... Not sure what that's about, but that would bother me.

Anyway, I have located several sources for black, satin silk bow ties. * I'm having to sort through all of those for actual self tie bow ties because the vast majority are pretied, which is what I do not want. *

Like I said, these accessories might need to serv the whole closet, so it's going to take a bit of sorting.

Or I don't have to try to put together a formal kilt outfit... and just settle with the daywear stuff I already have. I don't know. Guess the daywear stuff would get more use.

kiltedsawyer · #8 06-08-2009, 09:19 AM

It' true if you don't buy the waistcoat with the jacket it may not match. So if both are black and don't match it looks like you tried to match them and were unsuccessful. So why not try a wool waistcoat that matches one of the brighter colors in your kilt? Perhaps a red or a yellow. Like the one featured here:
http://www.vestsbycharlotte.com/red-...html?cPath=2_8

I think it's a way to bring in some more color and the red always looks good at Christmas. Just my humble opinion.
Regards,
David

Bugbear · #9 06-08-2009, 11:58 AM

It looks like the three button, silk waistcoats are well out of my price range, and I don't even know if they would be right for a kilt.

I guess a wool backless wouldn't be that bad...

Bugbear · #10 06-08-2009, 03:03 PM

Duh! I just realized I could probably make a backless waistcoat. I would be able to make a full back waistcoat if I were able to make consistent buttonholes; I have to hand sew everything...

The backless waistcoats don't have buttonholes. That means, with careful aplication of trim, I could actually make a formal waistcoat out of my tartan on the bias, and it could be in any style of low cut neck line. I was thinking of the scoop front, four button waistcoats, but those are very difficult to find. Plus, I could at least try to find a close match to the black fabric of the jacket rather than hoping for the best when ordering on line...

Perhaps I will order one of the low cost, backless waistcoats, and use it for a pattern.