Prince Charlie jackets are the evening formal jacket of Highland dress. The short cutaway front is cut to sit above the kilt, reveal the waistcoat and leave clear space for a dress sporran. In practical terms, a Prince Charlie is what you wear when the invitation means Highland black tie or formal evening dress.

Day versus evening
Use an Argyle jacket for daytime ceremonies and events that run through the afternoon. Use a Prince Charlie when the dress code is evening, black tie, or formal dinner. Mixing the two without regard to the clock is the most common Highland dress mistake guests make. If the ceremony is at 2 p.m. and the dancing runs late, an Argyle will usually serve the whole day more correctly than a Prince Charlie worn from the afternoon.

Black, navy, green and velvet
Black is the most conservative evening choice and the safest default when you do not know the venue’s taste. Navy and green formal Prince Charlie sets are widely accepted and can photograph with more depth than flat black under certain lights. Velvet Prince Charlie jackets suit indoor evening weddings and dinners where a softer, richer cloth is welcome.
Complete the jacket with a coordinated waistcoat, formal white shirt and bow tie unless the host states a different neckwear rule.

Fit for evening jackets
Evening jackets show errors in the shoulder immediately. Measure carefully with our Size Guide. Made-to-measure is recommended when chest or sleeve measurements sit between standard sizes. The jacket must not swallow the kilt; the whole point of the cutaway is to display the tartan and sporran cleanly.

Full evening Highland outline

Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat
Formal tartan kilt
Dress sporran (horsehair is common for full formal)
Hose, flashes, formal evening shoes
Optional fly plaid for maximum formal presentation

Outfits and sets
Some listings package a Prince Charlie jacket with waistcoat or with wider outfit components. Always read the product page for exactly what is included before you assume a full kilt is part of the price. Coordinated sets save matching time when sizes align across pieces.

Shipping and lead times
Free tracked shipping on orders over $199. Custom velvet and made-to-measure evening jackets need production time—do not order a week before a fixed wedding date. Import duties are not included when charged by your country.

Shop Prince Charlie jackets below. For daytime formal jackets return to Argyle Kilt Jackets.