formal evening dress: vest or no?

[CMcG]

I'm wondering about vests (a.k.a. waistcoats) or lack thereof worn with the Prince Charlie and jackets/doublets of similar distinction: Brian Boru, Regulation, Spencer, Eton, Mess? The context would be formal evening wear, which in my neck of the woods is black tie/tuxedo equivalent.

In Charles Thompson's So You're Going to Wear the Kilt! he suggests that a black leather belt with shiny waist-plate is as appropriate as a 3 button vest (not both together) with a PC and black bow-tie. I've also seen pictures showing 5 button waistcoats worn with cravats/Ascots, with the extra height of the vest accommodating the length needing to be tucked in. From what I've gathered thus far, this gives three options for the PC or its approximate equivalents:
1. 3 button vest with bow-tie
2. 5 button vest with cravat
3. belt and waist-plate with bow-tie

If Thompson and the retail/rental catalogues are attempting to provide theory, what is the practice?

Which configuration do you prefer and why?

Pictures are most welcome!