White Tie

[OC Richard]

What would classify as "white tie" other than a Prince Charlie?

Would an Argyll be taboo?

We have to remember that the Coatee, soon dubbed the Prince Charlie Coatee, is a 20th century invention, a relative newcomer in Highland Dress terms.

In 1910 it was dismissed as an ungainly non-Highland jury-rigged hybrid, and well into the 1930s articles were stressing that it was suitable for faddish slender young men but not appropriate for mature gents.

From Victorian times up until the Coatee, Montrose shell jacket, and other new Evening jackets caught on there were pretty much only two cuts of Evening jacket, the Doublet and the Argyll.

Peter has beautifully shown the Doublet above.

About the "dress Argyll" or "evening Argyll" it was of Argyll cut but of the same materials as the Evening Doublet including satin lapels or satin shawl collar.

As we see it was deemed suitable for white tie, or jabot.



I know fashions change, both Highland and non-Highland.

This photo appeared in a 1910 book and was presumably taken shortly before that time, as it shows the then-current members.

Did all these gents also own white waistcoats? Or was the white neckwear with black waistcoat worn for all formal events?