The Prince Charlie Jacket is an old formal highland dress that has been listed in tailor’s catalogues of the late twenties as a frock coat. Initially it was also known as a ‘Duchess Charlie’ or ‘Lord Charlie’ and was exclusively worn by the wives of the Prince of Wales. However, it was later adopted as the official uniform of the British Army and wore by members of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Army and the Police Force. It continued to be worn by members of these armed forces until the end of the Cold War.
The coat has an elegant collar and front buttoned with satin fabric, crepe, or chenille buttons, usually with gold accents. The front is often adorned with a floral print such as a white rose, blue lilies or other popular choice flowers. To complete the look of the Prince Charlie Jacket it is worn with a matching waistcoat made of dark-colored crepe or gabardine, sometimes with a brass zipper and three-buttoned brocade. It also includes a matching vest, which is usually in the same style and design as the coat and usually has a gold trim on the front.
Sleeves of Prince Charlie Jacket
The sleeves of the Prince Charlie Jacket are usually fitted, however, the sleeves of the coat were traditionally pleated and this was changed when the jacket was adopted by the Women’s Volunteer Force. The sleeves of the coat are now fully lined, with three or four silver buttons and one or two gold accents. The sleeves are usually elastic and can be rolled up or down to fit the individual wearer. The cuffs of the Prince Charlie jackets are usually elastic and they are worn on the outside of the arm, over the shoulder or in line with the collar.
The waistline of the Prince Charlie Jacket is an excellent length as this creates an illusion of slimming and the way the material is worn will reflect this effect. The waistline is also high at the legs and this creates an appearance of slimness even when the jacket itself is full length. The waist is often pleated and there are often black tie Highland style handkerchiefs worn at the side seams. These handkerchiefs have a single line at the center and are worn either as round center pieces or to frame the neck of the jacket. One classic accessory is the Prince Charlie buckle or cuffs. These are made from black leather with one buckle on each cuff and are available in single color or black and white.
Lapels of the Prince Charlie Jacket
The lapels of the Prince Charlie Jacket are often heavily adorned with colored tartan and these give the coat a rich and elegant feel. Black and white tartan is often used, although nowadays satin is also being used. The lapels are often left natural and the cuffs of the kilt jacket are often embellished with large black & white handkerchiefs which are worn either side of the lapel and are accompanied by the tall black and white halo pendant. The jacket often comes in olive green checked fabric. This fabric is slightly more formal than the highland but both fabrics complement each other.
The coat has the classic look of a refined less formal garment and is perfect for all occasions whether a formal wedding reception or just a fun night out with friends. It can be worn to work and although it isn’t suited for the formal office wear that you might see today, it is perfect for informal business attire and dates too. It would suit a dinner party also, or even for a date to a trendy nightclub or concert. The look is smart and understated but it is elegant enough to be worn with slim jeans, tweed sporty pants or a tailored shirt and trousers. For a slightly dressier feel, you could team the jacket with a black or navy colored blouse or perhaps a cashmere sweater. The jacket has never before been seen on a more fashion forward man – this makes it an ideal addition to any wardrobe.
