The trouble with evening waistcoats, is that they are cut lower on the breast and higher at the waist than their day-time cousins, and so there is limited space to hang a watch-chain with the desired degree of panache.
My pictures show some options with both a single- and double-breasted waistcoat, and with single- and double-strand chains.
They illustrate how a long single strand chain can be looped around one of the buttons for security while forming a pleasing drape that echoes that of the sporran chain, and draping from pocket to pocket without the loop.
Another option is the double-strand chain which is held in place by a T-bar passed through a suitable button-hole, and this allows for a decorative fob or medallion, but these really require more frontage than an evening waistcoat provides.
The shorter, single-strand chain of graduated links, is probably the simplest and best option as the reduced amount of chain is easier to accommodate and it is more discrete.
There was a time when watch-chains were readily available specifically for evening use, and these tended to be much finer and with ornate links - and on a white waistcoat with white tie and tails, these can look superb. But with Highland dress, which tends to be bolder and sturdier than other kinds, a watch-chain that is in balance with the rest of the outfit and that tones with the buttons is probably the best choice.
Originally Posted by Troglodyte
The trouble with evening waistcoats, is that they are cut lower on the breast and higher at the waist than their day-time cousins, and so there is limited space to hang a watch-chain with the desired degree of panache.
Bookmarks