formal evening dress: vest or no?

[davidlpope]

Prince Charlie, Brian Boru, Regulation, Spencer, Eton, Mess, Sheriffmuir, Regulation, Argyle, Braemar, Crail, Doublets, Coatees, ...

I wonder if anyone has written an illustrated guide for jackets? I surely can't be the only one who gets lost!

Here's what I've gleaned:

Doublets- a broad category of the most formal evening wear jackets, encompassing the Sherrifmuir, Regulation, Montrose, Kenmore, and other similar but unnamed styles. Most are designed to be worn with lace jabot and cuffs.

Coatee- a less formal type of evening wear jacket encompassing the Prince Charlie. The "Brian Boru" is a recent modification of a Prince Charlie that was created for Irish kilt-wearers (by our own MOR, I think?).

Mess Jackets- These are military or military-inspired evening wear jackets that do not typically extend past the waist (i.e. no Inverness skirts/ tashes, no Prince Charlie back flaps.) These seem to be more rare, although here is a great photo of P/M John D. Burgess wearing a rifle green one:


Crail, Argyll, and Braemar are multiple (and IMHO unnecessary) names for different permutations of the same kilt jacket, according to the sleeve ornamentation. See this thread, post #2 by McMurdo: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...31/#post435770

I really don't have a clue what a "Spencer" or an "Eton" jacket is. I've never seen that name used in reference to traditional highland dress.

Cordially,

David