PC jacket colors?

[fortcollinsjerry]

It seems to me that all the PC jacket images I see are all black. I realize that BLACK is the traditional color for evening wear, but I'm wondering if there are any other colors possible and acceptable for the PC? I've seen a Doublet in grey and think a PC in light green might look smart as well. At least it would pick up the green in my tartan.

If this idea is just too bizzar to contemplate - well, please speak up

[StevieR]

Not too bizarre in those colours at least, I think. There was a nice orange one on eBay a few weeks back as well, you'll find a thread here somewhere. I think Kyle bought it ;)

[artificer]

It seems to me that all the PC jacket images I see are all black. I realize that BLACK is the traditional color for evening wear, but I'm wondering if there are any other colors possible and acceptable for the PC? I've seen a Doublet in grey and think a PC in light green might look smart as well. At least it would pick up the green in my tartan.

If this idea is just too bizzar to contemplate - well, please speak up

Black isn't actually all that traditional a colour in Highland Evening Wear, it is more of an mid 20th Century innovation. Many doublets and other coatees up to that time were in bright velvets, doeskins, or tartan.

I myself have designs on a deep claret velvet doublet.

ith:

[Andrew Breecher]

Midnight Blue is also quite a common evening wear colour, since that tends to actually appear darker than black does many times. However, since there's often a lot of black in many tartans, it might look odd paired with midnight blue.

Keep in mind that if you're looking for evening wear, there really are rules you should follow. If you'll be one of the few people wearing the kilt to an event, I think black or midnight blue would be best. After all, you wouldn't expect someone to appear at a black tie event wearing a red tuxedo.

[English Bloke]

They are available in a number of colours but prices tend to be greater. I have a PCs and waistcoats in black and navy blue, but I've also seen them in maroon, green, and even bright orange. Also seen them in grey barathea and grey tweed and they look pretty snappy.

There's a few examples on this link

[fortcollinsjerry]

Thank you Gentlemen. What got me to thinking about the possibilities was an episode of Dowton Abbey during a Soiree (sorry no acute accent) at the hunting lodge where the host was wearing a green PC with plaid fly. I thought it looked very smart. But, that was performed in the early 20th century so fashion has changed. I think midnight blue sounds excellent. [memo to jerry - start saving money - this is going to be pricy]

[Domehead]

You may consider a search for OC Richard's threads which include images of his vintage (Kinloch) Anderson catalogue collection. Anderson's have been Highland Attire attendees from the C19th if not before. OC Richard's catalogues date to the 1930's, but the current Kinloch Anderson offering hasn't changed markedly. They offer every style doublet and coatee in all applicable colors of velvet, barathea and tweed.

Remember, the PC is a C20th invention itself. You have myriad options to include "Day wear" jackets of particular cuts with specific accentuating details and perhaps more flattering buttons. The MacLeay portraits should not be regarded as the standard by which Victorian era Highland dress be perceived normal. However, the notations scribed by Amelia Murray MacGregor often show that the sitters gave great consideration to exactly what they were wearing for their immortalization. Often, it was the "best" they had to display. In many of the portraits, the "best" included all the accoutrements of "Evening dress" with a "day wear" jacket:

Colin Campbell
John Cameron
Duncan Drummond
Hugh Graham
Murdoch MacNeill
Ewen & Lachlan MacPherson
James Menzies
Donald Munro
Archibald MacDougall
John Robertson
Adam Sutherland

Two cents worth. Keep the change.

[Chas]

I have a black PC and a nice green one, but my favourite is my navy blue. I have always fancied a white PC, but we just don't get the summers to warrant that.

[OC Richard]

I realize that BLACK is the traditional color for evening wear

This is not the case, though black PCs have become so ubiquitous recently that I can understand how one would get that impression.

Here in the 1936 Anderson catalogue you can see that no black Evening Dress jackets are shown



Prince Charlies in all sorts of colours, including white, grey, red, navy blue, royal blue, powder blue, Archer Green, Kelly green, and brown show up on Ebay all the time.

This strange orange one was discussed here



And there's this one...

[Hawk]

And there's this one...

It appears this one might belong to a chap going to a formal event at The Home Depot.....possibly the Kilt Section of the store....

Hawk