Picture this...

[thescot]

One bit of advice. If you're the least bit interested in "correct" style, the charlie would only be appropriate for after five wear. It's an evening jacket, not suited for the afternoon. But then, if you live the life of an iconoclast and revel in shocking the public who do care about such things, go for it. You'll cut a dashing figure and most people don't know the difference anymore anyway. Ha.

On the other hand, since you have time, you could probably score a fairly nice jacket from the local Goodwill store and pay a seamstress/tailor a few bucks to cut it down to an argyl style. It's really not a tough adjustment, and you'd have a nice jacket to wear for years to come.

[pipesndrumsnun]

I would also suggest the Goodwill/Salvation Army route...that is what I did and it looks exactly like the "real" thing! You could buy the jacket and pay the tailor for probably even less than the rental option!
Good luck!

[James MacMillan]

I would also suggest the Goodwill/Salvation Army route...that is what I did and it looks exactly like the "real" thing! You could buy the jacket and pay the tailor for probably even less than the rental option!
Good luck!

The beauty of this option, is that you have a jacket after the event! Do the math! Compare!

[O'Neille]

It never hurts to post your measurements here. Chances are, somebody has a jacket that they would be willing to recycle. I know I've acquired a few that aren't my size. I just had to buy one at the swap meet last week. I spooted it from the highway, with silver buttons shining in the sun. It will never fit but the buttons are worth more than I paid. O'Neille