Tweed for evening wear? - a call for pics

[English Bloke]

... Re: the grey Prince Charlie ... the cloth is not actually a tweed, but a worsted wool... Worsted wool has a smooth hand, but tweed is rather more course -- think of it with all the little fibers sticking out of it -- that's tweed. So my question is really rather a course fabric like this could ever work for more formal occasions...

I agree that the ebay pictures are showing smooth worsted and not course tweed but the jacket and waistcoat are described as tweed (presumably because it's not black barathea) I must have missed that other thread you refer to Matt, sorry.

To further your thought, I think a PC and 3 button waistcoat in a dark, hairy tweed (or even light depending on the Tartan one is pairing it up with) would be fantastic but that's just my personal opinion. I have no occasion these days to turn out to proper formal affairs so the rights and wrongs of such a thing don't really affect me. I would imagine though that turning up to a proper black tie gig wearing a hairy jacket (PC styled or otherwise) would probably lift a few eyebrows. Still think it would look great though.

Are you thinking of making one?

[RockyR]

I like the suit Rocky posted, though I cannot tell in the pics if it is worsted wool or a fine tweed. I think adding silver buttons to it would definitely give it a more formal look, but at the same time would take away some of the versatility.

How do we think Rocky's outfit might look if worn with a three-button vest and bow tie? Or perhaps a lace jabot?

Matt,

It is tweed... the charcoal / charcoal tweed from MM.

I've never been a fan of the 3 button vest (nor bow ties except for VERY formal). I think it would look best for a more formal setting with black buttons and red flashes (to match the tie) and maybe this sporran:

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I think that this may be as much a question of interpretation as it is about fabric. Here is my take:

LINEN: Day wear only (in hot weather).
TWEED: Day wear or informal evening wear.
WORSTED WOOL: Day wear or dressier informal evening wear.
BARATHEA & VELVET: Formal evening wear only.

Jackets fall into two categories: those intended to be worn only for formal events, and those that are worn when the wearing of a suit or sport coat would be appropriate. The cross over is the redoubtable Dress Argyll jacket which can, in suitable fabric, be worn as a rather formal day wear jacket and still do duty at a full dress function in the evening.

[Jock Scot]

I really don't think tweed is suitable for formal dress attire, although I can think of many occasions at some highland houses where tweed may have been more sensible from a prevention of hypothermia point of view!

[Lyle1]

I can't imagine tweed being used successfully for a formal jacket or tunic, but maybe I haven't seen the right piece of tweed. I can easily see a tweed coat or suit being worn in the evening, for an informal affair for which sport coats would ordinarily be considered appropriate.
However, times are changing, fabrics are being used more creatively, and fashion dictates are no longer considered binding; people are more likely to be creative to do feels right for them. I've worn a linen coat in the evening to diner and a club and felt quite comfortable and smart (also wrinkled after 20 minutes, but that's what linen does). Semi-formal and informal mean entirely different things depending location and the group of people, so that's no help.


So, I say, keep thinking about it, and when you think you have the perfect piece of tweed that you can envision made into a formal coat, try it! Of course, we would want pictures!!!