Here's the plan...

I have a shawl collar "Mess Dress" jacket and want to make a PC type formal coat. It has the two front (left and right side) button holes for the fastening buttons and short chain. (I forget what it is called...)

Unless I can find matching material to add the little coatee tail, I will simply go...ummm...tail-less.

I will replace the shoulder board tabs with the black braid.

I figured on 12 buttons for the coat and 3 for the backless wool vest. I understand I need the "Small" PC diamond buttons for the vest.

**HERE'S THE NUMPTINESS***

Would the Large matching Diamond thistle buttons be the ones I need (3 each cuff, and L and R Front)? Or should I go with the Medium buttons? It's kind hard to tell from the pics I've seen of PC's if they use the Large or Medium...

How are they displayed? (Long and Tall diamond or Short and Wide Diamond) Or is it going to be obvious when I see the buttons?

What is the distance between the buttons on the coat cuffs?

Also, would standard (silver/black) shirt studs and cufflinks with a wing collar 1/4" pleated tux shirt be appropriate?

I know, I'm kinda retarded...