Why Did Men Stop Wearing Waistcoats (Vests)?
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 Published On Sep 20, 2021

Find out the answers as to why vests or waistcoats are rarely seen today: https://gentl.mn/men-stop-wearing-wai...

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00:00 Waistcoat Decline Introduction

As advocates of the classic style, we think waistcoats or vests boost the style of a suit and create a more complete look. The garment used to be worn regularly by men as part of everyday wear, but these days, we would only see them on special occasions with formal dress codes.

01:30 History of Vests

The history of waistcoats in western fashion begins in the 1660s with Charles II and the vest. After such historic disasters as the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London, people weren’t necessarily in such high spirits. And so, the method of dressing loudly and flamboyantly, as the upper classes had been doing around this time, was starting to tick a lot of the common folk off.

03:51 The Evolution of The Waistcoat

The vest styles worn in 1666 aren’t the same styles we know today. First of all, they were quite long, worn almost down to the knee and nearly as long as the coats that covered them. Some were sleeveless, while others did have sleeves. And if you think modern waistcoats today have too many buttons, wait until you try to get one of these on. However, these vests ushered in the more sober style of independent English dress, which was also seen as more masculine overall.

06:29 What Happened To Waistcoat Wearing?

The waistcoat continued to be worn well into the mid-20th century, with the 1930s representing its highest possible waistline. So, the vest or waistcoat was obviously a very popular item, as you can see with its longevity over the centuries.

08:21 Reasons Why Vests Disappeared: 1. Eyewear
10:02 2. Wristwatches
11:12 3. Changes In Fashion
14:36 4. Wartime Rationing
16:05 5. Central Heating

17:05 Waistcoats Today
Naturally, we here at the Gentleman’s Gazette are still big fans of the waistcoat, as we believe they can add a lot to the overall appearance of your suit, making you look more put together and more professional.

Not only do they disguise where your shirt and tie meet your trouser waistband, which can look messy, but they also complement your figure by providing a more slender appearance, disguising any baggy or wrinkled areas on the shirt, as well as preventing it from untucking and holding your tie more firmly in place.

They can also be used creatively as odd waistcoats with a two-piece suit, as we mentioned before or to break up looks even further using the Italian technique of Spezzato.

So, while there certainly isn’t a need to wear a vest as there was in the 1660s or even as recently as the early 20th century, we still think they have a place in modern menswear. And if you know how to incorporate them in your ensembles, they can look quite stylish.

19:29 Outfit Rundown

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