Burns Night Prince Charlie questions!

**Just Hugh** · 5th November 17, 06:10 PM

I'v been away for a while after the Baseball Cap with kilt controversy of 2015. But I continue to drum the snare and march the parades and wear the kilt!

My new question is regarding the formal dress and trimmings of a Prince Charlie Dress Kilt outfit.

I have:

1. A cheap Pakistani Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest with cheap, traditional diamond shaped buttons. (But wait!)

2. Some interesting ROUND mother of pearl buttons that I could replace the cheap, but traditional diamond ones with. I did not pay much for them, but I DID buy them as potential replacements and I bought the correct number. (The ones on the jacket look like they're shiny plastic, even though the aren't. Typical Pakistan made Scot-wear.)

3. Diced red and white hose, that I didn't really need, but came up at a reduced price and I couldn't resist, so. . .

4. Gillie Brogues (not buckled shoes.) That will irritate the purists on this site, but, come on, I'm in the U.S. Nothing is pure here. And all of this is for my own sense of propriety since NO ONE at this event will know better than those on this thread.

So, my main question is:

What do you think about substituting the cheap but traditional diamond buttons for round mother of pearl replacements? Now, think this through. That would mean the jacket buttons, the waistcoat buttons, the cuff buttons, the pocket buttons, the buttons on the back of the prince charlie would all be ROUND not diamond shaped.

I like the round buttons on the argyle jacket/waistcoat tops and they tend to look more sophisticated than the Prince Charlie mainly because the Prince Charlie are ALWAYS rentals/for hire and cheap looking, and the Argyle Jacket/Waistcoat is more often owned. I think I'm preferring the round button because it suggests the jacket is owned and not rented, and although it is a cheap jacket, there is something worthwhile in that distinction.

I have also shopped the more high end diamond shaped buttons for the Prince Charlie Jacket. They don't look different enough to justify the exorbitant cost of replacing something so similar.

I hope to hear many votes of either: "Leave the jacket as is it's only one night," or, "Replace the cheap buttons with the round ones and you'll look as if you inherited it from the closet of the family heirlooms."

**McMurdo** · 5th November 17, 07:10 PM

I'd say the ghille brogues are fine, the diced hose are perfect for a Burns Night and changing the button should be great as well. Remember to check and make sure that the size of the buttons is correct, when I wanted to get day wear buttons for my kilt suit I ordered a bunch from eBay and they were too big to use on the waistcoat so I went to a local thrift store and found an old tweed jacket with a bunch of buttons on each cuff and used those for the waistcoat. I'd like to see a picture when you are done as well.

**Taskr** · 6th November 17, 11:12 AM

I'm trying to imagine round buttons and it isn't working for me; the traditional cut of the jacket seems, to me, want to use a traditional button. You do note that to the eye there is not significant difference to the current diamond shape button and a new purchase button, so maybe 'quality' isn't the issue. It seems from what you've written that you don't want to look 'rented attire'. It won't look that way as you wear all the rig with the confidence and grace that you will - in that I don't think changing the buttons matters.

**piperdbh** · 6th November 17, 02:28 PM

Go ahead and change them if you feel like it. The diamond buttons are "traditional" only because somebody used them once & then somebody else copied them. Maybe you'll start a new style.
The only suggestion I'd make about the shoes is to wear comfortable ones. Ghillies aren't known for their comfort. However, your feet might like them.

**Just Hugh** · 6th November 17, 03:58 PM

Maybe I will swap them out only for the waistcoat and see how it looks. I might even post a picture for the rabble to analyze!

Anyone know how many buttons are on a Prince Charlie Jacket and Waistcoat?

A lot. I think mine has the 3 button waistcoat and that makes 26. Swapping them all out then changing my mind is no small endeavor whether I do it or pay a seamstress.

**Father Bill** · 6th November 17, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Just Hugh

. Swapping them all out then changing my mind is no small endeavor whether I do it or pay a seamstress.

Swap out half of them if you like, then look in the mirror and decide which side you like best when you see them side by side. Then either way, you do either the first half, or the second half, and end up with what you like after only one set of stitching.

**Bruce Scott** · 6th November 17, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Taskr

I'm trying to imagine round buttons and it isn't working for me; the traditional cut of the jacket seems, to me, want to use a traditional button. You do note that to the eye there is not significant difference to the current diamond shape button and a new purchase button, so maybe 'quality' isn't the issue. It seems from what you've written that you don't want to look 'rented attire'. It won't look that way as you wear all the rig with the confidence and grace that you will - in that I don't think changing the buttons matters.

This "Brian Boru" jacket has shawl lapels and different cuffs but the overall look will be similar.

https://www.scotsinspirit.com/collec...acket-and-vest

From the front this RA mess jacket is very similar to a Prince Charlie. The round buttons look fine to me.

https://goldings.co.uk/shop/regiment...alls-complete/

**SunriseEarth** · 6th November 17, 06:17 PM

I vote for changing the buttons. Why not make it your own and give yourself something more unique to you?

**Just Hugh** · 6th November 17, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Swap out half of them if you like, then look in the mirror and decide which side you like best when you see them side by side. Then either way, you do either the first half, or the second half, and end up with what you like after only one set of stitching.

AND I won't swap out all the darned buttons on the back side until I've decided.

**Just Hugh** · 6th November 17, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Scott

This "Brian Boru" jacket has shawl lapels and different cuffs but the overall look will be similar.

https://www.scotsinspirit.com/collec...acket-and-vest

From the front this RA mess jacket is very similar to a Prince Charlie. The round buttons look fine to me.

https://goldings.co.uk/shop/regiment...alls-complete/

Thank you for those references. I like the look, but now I'm worried the mother of pearl buttons will end up looking like shirt rather than jacket buttons. Not good.