Do you, don't you?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Waistcoat. Six buttons. Five closed.

Waistcoat. Three/Four buttons. All closed.

Cuffs. Four buttons. Two closed.

Fly. Five buttons. ALL CLOSED!

[Ancienne Alliance]

Waistcoat. Six buttons. Five closed.

Waistcoat. Three/Four buttons. All closed.

Cuffs. Four buttons. Two closed.

Fly. Five buttons. ALL CLOSED!

Excellent Sir.

Absolutely perfect.


Best,

Robert

[ziggy]

Ok so I have heard this before, and maybe I missed, but isn't there some kind of historical reason why some wear the bottom button undone?! or is it solely for comfort.

[kiltimabar]

On three-piece suits, (when I wore them) I left the bottom vest button undone, as I understood that there was a tradition so to do. With Highland attire, I button them all, as I am unaware that there is a similar custom in that area. Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII.

[JSFMACLJR]

On three-piece suits, (when I wore them) I left the bottom vest button undone, as I understood that there was a tradition so to do. With Highland attire, I button them all, as I am unaware that there is a similar custom in that area. Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII.

I don't quite follow your reasoning here. I, and many others, leave the bottom button of a waistcoat undone. What do you mean when you say "Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII"?

Waistcoats are much older than the late King Emperor too.

[kiltimabar]

I don't quite follow your reasoning here. I, and many others, leave the bottom button of a waistcoat undone. What do you mean when you say "Highland tradition is much older than Edward VII"?

Waistcoats are much older than the late King Emperor too.

I simply meant that a custom originating in "civilian" dress doesn't necessarily translate into a change in the separate tradition of the way highland attire is worn. Some do--wing collars on formal shirts for example. Others--like, say, a blazer patch on an Argyll jacket, don't.

If anyone wants to unbutton his waistcoat, (or wear a blazer patch) I'll consider that his business and none o' my own.

[JSFMACLJR]

I simply meant that a custom originating in "civilian" dress doesn't necessarily translate into a change in the separate tradition of the way highland attire is worn. .

But how is a waistcoat worn with the kilt any different than a waistcoat worn with a suit? And I'm not ignorant of the fact that the cut is a bit different. Why wouldn't Edward VII have chosen to ease his waistcoat some in Scotland, where one may reasonably assume that his girth was no greater or no less than it was in the south?

I guess what I am trying to say is that I see no difference --other than the cut of the garments-- between a tweed jacket and waistcoat worn with the kilt and a jacket and waistcoat worn with trousers.

[Sir William]

Ok so I have heard this before, and maybe I missed, but isn't there some kind of historical reason why some wear the bottom button undone?! or is it solely for comfort.

I have always heard that the custom came about when Gentlemen (by birth and breeding) of the late 18th and into the 19th century eased the bottom button on their waistcoats (and possibly a few on their breeches) for comfort after endulging in a very filling meal. It gradually became the custom to leave the bottom button undone on the waistcoat to thus indicate one was a Gentleman who was used to dining well and often.

[lethearen]

Ok so I have heard this before, and maybe I missed, but isn't there some kind of historical reason why some wear the bottom button undone?! or is it solely for comfort.

As I recall, and I probably have some facts muddled up, there was a gentleman of stature holding a noble title - King Edward VII, I believe, as was alluded to by kiltimabar earlier. Due to his stature he left the bottom button of his coats and vests unbuttoned. It became the trend to imitate this fashion. I actually had heard that it was to make him feel better about his girth, as he was no longer the only man whose button was left undone, but I don't know if that's true.

The practice has stuck around for past hundred plus years or so.

[Standard]

I also follow the trend that seems to be most prominent here, namely leaving the bottom button undone. One reason being that it just feels more comfortable, especially while sitting. I have a wool Filson vest that I wear almost the entire winter which has a straight cut bottom, with the way it hangs the bottom button closed is simply too constrictive for comfortable movement. Now, when getting all dressed up I generally follow the same rule, except at McMillan noted when the waistcoat has only 3 or 4 buttons, then they all get done up. Not sure why this is the cast, just the way that I learned to do it.