thoughts on red waistcoat with formal jacket?

**FossilHunter** · 28th January 18, 05:32 PM

I'm aware that red waistcoats were pretty common historically but I was looking at the widely circulated photo of prince Charles at the state visit of Karl Gustav in 1975.

This is one of the only recent photos of someone wearing a red waistcoat formally that I can find other than one of that famous pipe major known for his flamboyance.

I like the look but wonder if it might be pushing the envelope of taste seeing as though the only two modern examples I can find are a man known for flamboyance and a royal at a state dinner. On the other hand, it doesn't seem as though it would be anymore flamboyant than a tartan waistcoat, and maybe even less so since it's a solid color.

I wonder what the rabble thinks? I am thinking that black regulation doublet with a red waistcoat would be quite smart.

One other thing though. Prince Charles waistcoat appears to be of the higher (maybe 4 button) style. Would that be more appropriate?

**Terry Searl** · 28th January 18, 05:42 PM

I will never be accused of knowing what is right or wrong about wearing formal attire ....but I will say personally, I like the red waist coat.......BUT it may stand out too much if all others are wearing black or white and give the impression that your station is a bit higher......in his case it may denote rank. I think as long as mummy said it was ok ...he needn't worry about too many other opinions ......just my opinion though

**FossilHunter** · 28th January 18, 05:52 PM

Originally Posted by Terry Searl

I will never be accused of knowing what is right or wrong about wearing formal attire ....but I will say personally, I like the red waist coat.......BUT it may stand out too much if all others are wearing black or white and give the impression that your station is a bit higher......in his case it may denote rank. I think as long as mummy said it was ok ...he needn't worry about too many other opinions ......just my opinion though

That's true. The other thing is that this was a state dinner and the equivalent of white tie so everything is a bit over the top for any occasion I might kilt to.

Here is John Burgess, the other person I mentioned seeing in a red waistcoat:

However he was also famous for going all out, like the famous pic of his all tartan doublet, kilt, hose. I am certainly no John Burgess. But I like that the red waistcoat adds a nice pop of color without taking anything from the kilt.

I wear standard MacDonald as well so I thought the red would complement this red stripes in the tartan.

The look I'm thinking of would be like this but toned down a bit since there would be no dirk belt, plaid, or bonnet.

This picture is kind of my inspiration:

I like the whole look of the MacDonalds with the doublet, red waistcoat, and tartan hose (I'd probably opt for diced ancient green and blue).

**Tarheel** · 28th January 18, 06:34 PM

I think the tone of a red waistcoat would be better received if it were closer to a blood red than scarlet. There may be an urge for others to emulate the contrast of your outfit than complain or discourage the choice.

I have a scarlet vest that I used to wear with my kilt (until I gained weight) but without a jacket. I would choose a golden (linen or wool instead of satin) with a formal before red. That is just my personal tastes.

**FossilHunter** · 28th January 18, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

I think the tone of a red waistcoat would be better received if it were closer to a blood red than scarlet. There may be an urge for others to emulate the contrast of your outfit than complain or discourage the choice.

I have a scarlet vest that I used to wear with my kilt (until I gained weight) but without a jacket. I would choose a golden (linen or wool instead of satin) with a formal before red. That is just my personal tastes.

I like that red has a somewhat traditional origin. I agree that blood red might get the same effect without being quite so aggressive of a contrast.

I think it comes from scarlet contrasting more against black than the blue in the Highlanders of Scotland painting.

Maybe I could have the waistcoat made to match the exact shade of red in the kilt.

**CollinMacD** · 29th January 18, 06:06 AM

I wear MacDonald Clanranald, and love the look. Considering purchasing a red waistcoat, as I think that with a match red bowtie would look great.

**FossilHunter** · 29th January 18, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by CollinMacD

I wear MacDonald Clanranald, and love the look. Considering purchasing a red waistcoat, as I think that with a match red bowtie would look great.

Kinsman, do you think you’d wear it with a black jacket? I saw that kinloch Anderson sells navy blue but I thought it might not be formal enough in modern times.

Usakilts sells a scarlet regulation doublet with waistcoat. I suspect that if I ordered a black doublet from them, they could get me a scarlet waistcoat too.

**OC Richard** · 29th January 18, 04:24 PM

I wouldn't hesitate, red waistcoats look very smart and have long been popular.

It's one of those classic British waistcoat colours that's been around a long time, along with buff.

You posted a nice Highlanders Of Scotland portrait and a look at the 56 kilted men might give an insight to the relative popularity of various waistcoat colours at that time:

13 matching fabric to the jacket

14 tartan

10 red

3 buff/white

1 brown

1 charcoal

13 waistcoat not visible.

**CollinMacD** · 29th January 18, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

Kinsman, do you think you’d wear it with a black jacket? I saw that kinloch Anderson sells navy blue but I thought it might not be formal enough in modern times.

Usakilts sells a scarlet regulation doublet with waistcoat. I suspect that if I ordered a black doublet from them, they could get me a scarlet waistcoat too.

I wear it with a black Sheriffmuir Jacket and Waistcoat for the Modern Dress MacDonald, Clanranald. With the MacDonald, Clanranald Ancient, I normally wear the Argyll Jacket with black waistcoat. Using the red will mix it up a little with both tartans since a bright red is used in both. When using formal wear, I like to stay with the traditional black, with black bowtie. But I do like the red waistcoat a lot.

Cheers.

**Stan** · 31st January 18, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by FossilHunter

I'm aware that red waistcoats were pretty common historically but I was looking at the widely circulated photo of prince Charles at the state visit of Karl Gustav in 1975.

This is one of the only recent photos of someone wearing a red waistcoat formally that I can find other than one of that famous pipe major known for his flamboyance.

I like the look but wonder if it might be pushing the envelope of taste seeing as though the only two modern examples I can find are a man known for flamboyance and a royal at a state dinner. On the other hand, it doesn't seem as though it would be anymore flamboyant than a tartan waistcoat, and maybe even less so since it's a solid color.

I wonder what the rabble thinks? I am thinking that black regulation doublet with a red waistcoat would be quite smart.

One other thing though. Prince Charles waistcoat appears to be of the higher (maybe 4 button) style. Would that be more appropriate?

I agree, and think that it looks really nice. For Burns night I wore my 16 oz. (red) Lennox tartan kilt, with a 10 0z. (again RED) Lennox vest / waist coat with a black Sherriffmuir jacket, a black ascot with red stick pin, and red & green diced hose.

During some part of the evening about 1/3 of the house come up to me to tell me that they thought that I was the "sharpest" dressed man there.

In a sea of black on black, (mostly PC's) I think that using color is a sign/ indication that you are a bit more educated in highland formal dress then the average "Angus".