Historical alternatives to a prince charlie jacket in the titanic / ragtime era

[drl7x]

I'm attending a ball this weekend intended as a reenactment of an event that the third class passengers aboard the titanic might have attended.

The idea is to dress as a 3rd class passenger wearing the best outfit they would have had for a formal evening event.

I'm hoping to wear a kilt but I don't have a prince charlie jacket and can't really afford one.

I been told that a jacoshirt shirt would be hard to justify since someone who owned a kilt would likely also have some type of jacket to go with it.

I own a tail coat, a tuxedo/dinner jacket, and some modern formal vests and bow ties. But I'm not sure whether they would work with a kilt.

I"m looking for suggestions on clothing that could be easily obtained in the US (Boston) that would allow me a create a historically accurate outfit.

Thanks in advance.

[Pleater]

Was there a ballroom in 3rd class?

In 1912 a man would not be in shirtsleeves in a formal setting, so you really need a jacket - not a posh one, plain tweed or herringbone.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[castledangerous]

see Gaelic Storm in third class. Vests, flat caps, tweed jackets

[Elf]

see Gaelic Storm in third class. Vests, flat caps, tweed jackets

I wonder if a third class passenger would have afforded a Prince Charlie as well. Also thinking this scene with Gaelic Storm may have been intended for the Third Class "General Room"

Have fun at your event.

[xman]

I find it hard to imagine that any 3rd class passenger would have a kilt at all unless they were from a kilted regiment somehow either currently or retired.

[SlackerDrummer]

I find it hard to imagine that any 3rd class passenger would have a kilt at all unless they were from a kilted regiment somehow either currently or retired.

I think I'd have ended that thought after "at all".

[davidlpope]

I think I'd have ended that thought after "at all".

Agreed. Sometimes it's just not possible to shoehorn a kilt into a non-kilt-related theme party...

Wear some scruffy looking tweed and a newsboy cap. Forgo the kilt. It's a bridge too far...

[Thorina]

Agreed. Sometimes it's just not possible to shoehorn a kilt into a non-kilt-related theme party...

Wear some scruffy looking tweed and a newsboy cap. Forgo the kilt. It's a bridge too far...

I respectfully disagree.
In 1912, it would not have been uncommon (for a 3rd class passenger) to have a pair of trousers hand made (vs "store bought") by either a mother, grandmother, or wife. Mothers and grandmothers may very well have made broad fall/small fall type pants....which were far out of fashion by 1912.

As a modern visual example, think of the caddies in Caddy Shack movie vs their country club patron counterparts. If I remember correctly, there is a scene where a caddy has to wear a suit (?), and it is ill fitting and not up to date fashion of the time.
Knickers would not have been all that uncommon, especially on a teenager or boy....but short pants, even formally would be the norm for those of a higher station. A child or teenager would not likely have anything that would count as formal attire. Maybe going to church, but not formal. Wouldn't be uncommon for a grown male not to own anything formal as a 3rd class passenger in 1912.

....taking that a logical step farther, it would not be uncommon for a Scot to have his own kilt, even as a 3rd class passenger. Probably not a nice one, probably a hand me down from dad or an older brother. Scratchy wool, and probably not as pressed and crisp looking as a 1st class passenger would own. Though not tattered and torn.

[Thorina]

I'm attending a ball this weekend intended as a reenactment of an event that the third class passengers aboard the titanic might have attended.

The idea is to dress as a 3rd class passenger wearing the best outfit they would have had for a formal evening event.

I'm hoping to wear a kilt but I don't have a prince charlie jacket and can't really afford one.
I been told that a jacoshirt shirt would be hard to justify since someone who owned a kilt would likely also have some type of jacket to go with it.

I own a tail coat, a tuxedo/dinner jacket, and some modern formal vests and bow ties. But I'm not sure whether they would work with a kilt.

I"m looking for suggestions on clothing that could be easily obtained in the US (Boston) that would allow me a create a historically accurate outfit.

Thanks in advance.

You're already in character! Bravo!

I would check thrift stores. If, by chance....you might run across a tux w/tails jacket that you could easily "transform" into a jacket.
I would not worry as much it if fit you perfectly, but just that it fits sort of...also remaining in charactor. 3rd class passengers would not look out of place in rather ill fitting clothing, but so so ill fitting as to look like a bum.

[drl7x]

This is a great idea. I wasn't able to do it for this weekend but altering a cheap tail coat to be a prince charlie jacket is a great idea.

I would check thrift stores. If, by chance....you might run across a tux w/tails jacket that you could easily "transform" into a jacket.
I would not worry as much it if fit you perfectly, but just that it fits sort of...also remaining in charactor. 3rd class passengers would not look out of place in rather ill fitting clothing, but so so ill fitting as to look like a bum.