"Balmoral" Doublet Help?

[MacRobert's Reply]

Here is a Balmoral hybrid on Ebay with a low starting price and no bids - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2510429362...84.m1423.l2649

For someone looking for something different!

[cable scot]

I would think open with a mandarin collar and vest would be a good look as well.For more formal a high collar and cravat would do nicely with a closed doublet and waistplate

IMHO
Andy

[CMcG]

I would think open with a mandarin collar and vest would be a good look as well.For more formal a high collar and cravat would do nicely with a closed doublet and waistplate

IMHO
Andy

I'd be willing to give the open doublet, mandarin collar shirt, and vest a try, but I'm guessing that isn't so traditional... depending on the shirt, that would probably still be considered a formal look, albeit an "alternative" one, yes?

As for a cravat, I guess we'll see if the gorge of my new (used) doublet is high enough. I have a stock tie that I'm quite fond of, but it will look a bit off if the top button of the doublet doesn't come up to cover enough of the tie.

[MacSpadger]

I'd be willing to give the open doublet, mandarin collar shirt, and vest a try, but I'm guessing that isn't so traditional...

If you want to wear it traditionally, wear it as Charlie is wearing it, buttoned up with a belt. We are discussing a garment here often associated with very high level functions, such as RSVP evening balls. It's not really designed to be worn with a waistcoat/vest. But, you have paid for it, it's up to you what you want to do with it.
There have been a couple of this kind of doublet on Ebay UK recently, they get very few bids and often go for low prices. I suspect that if you were actually Scottish and living here, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it, hence the low prices.

[JSFMACLJR]

I suspect that if you were actually Scottish and living here, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it, hence the low prices.

I see many doublets like this worn by friends and aquaintances at balls in Scotland and at the Royal Caledonian Ball in London. You could wear this doublet whenever you wear Highland evening dress.

[MacSpadger]

I see many doublets like this worn by friends and aquaintances at balls in Scotland and at the Royal Caledonian Ball in London. You could wear this doublet whenever you wear Highland evening dress.

Yes, that's the kind of RSVP ball I was referring to. I have attended the Royal Caledonian Ball in London, but only as a piper. Other balls where I would expect to see this kind of doublet would be where society, (for want of a better phrase), was the main invitees. For the vast majority of us, my original thought remains, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it.

[MacLowlife]

Yes, that's the kind of RSVP ball I was referring to. I have attended the Royal Caledonian Ball in London, but only as a piper. Other balls where I would expect to see this kind of doublet would be where society, (for want of a better phrase), was the main invitees. For the vast majority of us, my original thought remains, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it.

MacSpadger, a friend of mine once explained a rule about tuxedoes and credit cards that probably applies to formal doublets:


If you get a credit card for emergencies only, you may find yourself experiencing more emergencies.


Similarly, once you have a tuxedo (or a formal doublet), you sometimes will discover more occasions that require you to wear it.

[Glen]

For the vast majority of us, my original thought remains, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it.

I think CMcC would have lots of occasions to wear the doublet when he gets back to TO, if he wants. It looks like the Duke wears his when others are wearing a PC.

[CMcG]

CMcG, I must congratulate you on your find. I was the other bidder on that jacket and sadly, with a 38" chest it seemed like a perfect fit for me.

I think it would look perfect worn buttoned with a belt; or unbuttoned over a low-cut waistcoat, mess dress style. A belt could be worn over the waistcoat with the latter option too. Either way, I think a jabot would look as smashing as a bow tie.

You might be able to get away with wearing a four-in-hand tie and higher-cut waistcoat with this doublet. It would probably place it in between an argyll/braemar etc and black-tie in terms of formality. The Kinloch Anderson website has photos of Sherriffmuirs being worn that way.

You got this doublet for a real steal at £14.49!! I probably wouldn't have paid more than £20 for it though, given my paltry student budget. I'd be happy to grab it off you too if it doesn't work out. Though I'd personally prefer a Balmoral made in a rich green velvet.

Sorry, JWLC! If you keep looking, I'm sure something else will turn up for you. I'm also on a student budget and eBay is the source of quite a bit of my Highland attire.

Notwithstanding Highland Clans' suggestion that this doublet could be worn less formally by opening the front, I'm still having a hard time picturing it as anything less than black tie. I think you're right that a long tie would be the way to go for a less formal look, but it might not work. I'll give it a try eventually and put the theory to the test

That doublet will look fine open or closed. You can wear a waistcoat if you like, or not...it will still look fine. Black tie, jabot, or stock would all work, and if you were from Perthshire you could even wear a white bow tie!.

Nice to know that I have some options. I'm not from Perhshire, but I do have a white bow tie...

If you want to wear it traditionally, wear it as Charlie is wearing it, buttoned up with a belt. We are discussing a garment here often associated with very high level functions, such as RSVP evening balls. It's not really designed to be worn with a waistcoat/vest. But, you have paid for it, it's up to you what you want to do with it.
There have been a couple of this kind of doublet on Ebay UK recently, they get very few bids and often go for low prices. I suspect that if you were actually Scottish and living here, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it, hence the low prices.

I see many doublets like this worn by friends and aquaintances at balls in Scotland and at the Royal Caledonian Ball in London. You could wear this doublet whenever you wear Highland evening dress.

Yes, that's the kind of RSVP ball I was referring to. I have attended the Royal Caledonian Ball in London, but only as a piper. Other balls where I would expect to see this kind of doublet would be where society, (for want of a better phrase), was the main invitees. For the vast majority of us, my original thought remains, if you bought one, there'd be really not many occasions where you could wear it.

Yes, I really can't go wrong wearing it the way Prince Charles does, eh?

The last few years running, I've had at least one, if not several formal evening events to go to each year (Burn's nights, black tie wedding receptions, etc). It seems as the years go by and my Highland wardrobe increases, that MacLowlife is proven correct and I have more occasions to get dressed up. Are you suggesting, MacSpadger, that this style of doublet would not be suitable (worn as Rothesday wears his) for such events and should be reserved for "society" balls?

My understanding of when to wear this doublet is closer to JSFMACLJR's.

[creagdhubh]

I see many doublets like this worn by friends and aquaintances at balls in Scotland and at the Royal Caledonian Ball in London. You could wear this doublet whenever you wear Highland evening dress.

Precisely, Sandy. I believe this style of doublet will work well for any event in which you will be wearing Highland evening dress. In my opinion, I would follow HRH Prince Charles' look whilst wearing the 'Balmoral' doublet - black bow tie; white, spread collar formal shirt; a smart, black leather belt and silver waistplate. What a great look!

Nice score mate,