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The vest, also known as a waistcoat, is a sleeveless garment worn over a dress shirt and under a coat or jacket. Originally, the vest was a contrasting color to the suit, but it evolved to match the suit. It is typically made of polyester and worn with suspenders. The vest’s popularity declined during WWII due to rationing and a more casual look, but it is still considered appropriate formal wear in the US.
A vest, or waistcoat as it is commonly known in North America, is a sleeveless article of clothing usually worn over a collared dress shirt and under a coat or jacket. It is usually paired with a tie and suspenders. The vest is usually worn as part of a three-piece business suit, or as an element in men’s formal wear. Waistcoats can be single or double breasted, are usually made of polyester, and usually have pockets on the front to hold various items, such as a pocket watch.
This garment was integrated into the daily use of men by King Charles II during the restoration of the British monarchy in the 17th century. While in modern times the waistcoat matches the entire suit, originally it was customary for the waistcoat color to contrast with the suit. This lasted until the mid-19th century, when Prince Albert began wearing muted colored restrictive waistcoats that accentuated a man’s body rather than being a colorful focal point of the suit itself. Society followed Prince Albert’s lead, displaying silhouettes with broad shoulders and puffy chests, emphasized by the tight waistcoat.
It is common for a gentleman to keep his bottom button undone, a custom dating back to King Edward VII of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Furthermore, it has been legendary that the king kept his last button open to prevent his vest from riding up while he was on a horse. However, it is more likely that it was undone as a result of his swollen waist. As King Edward VII was very much in fashion, his followers copied his look and also kept their waistcoats unbuttoned at the bottom.
Structured similar to a fitted jacket, the waistcoat buttons down the center and can be single-breasted or double-breasted. The vest is usually made of polyester or a similar material, and the fabric usually matches that of the pants and jacket when paired with a three-piece suit. Belts are generally not worn with a vest, suspenders being worn instead. Traditionally, gentlemen kept their pocket watches in the front vest pocket with the chain tied through the buttonhole, although the pocket watch has since fallen out of popularity to the wristwatch.
World War II played a significant role in the waning popularity of the vest. Due to wartime rationing of fabrics and the influx of a more casual everyday look, people stopped buying waistcoats. In modern times, Americans view them as an accessory to a man’s or woman’s outfit rather than an integral element of a business suit. While it is still considered an appropriate piece of men’s formal wear in the United States (US), the waistcoat is more commonly worn by conservative businessmen in other parts of the world.
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