Over the years I’ve had a few casual waistcoats made. What makes them casual? Well primarily cloth, ideally something with a pronounced texture and perhaps a chunky pattern – in this case, a tan/black herringbone woven from a wool/linen mix.
I also prefer such waistcoats with as few pockets as possible. Sometimes two, but even none – as shown here.
To someone used to a dress waistcoat, the absence of pockets might seem a little jarring, but this deliberate choice moves the waistcoat a little closer to being knitwear – to a sleeveless cardigan, which again I’d usually prefer to be pocket-less.
Another nice, casual element is the extension of a band of the cloth around the back of the neck, as you can see below. It intrudes onto the sheen of the lining and breaks it up, suggesting the collar of a jacket.
Indeed, I started thinking about this waistcoat recently when I wore it to a fitting for my button-in gilet with Davide Taub (pictured, head cutter at Gieves & Hawkes). Davide reminded me how high the waistcoat had been cut on the neck, up around the shirt collar. A regular dress waistcoat would never be cut like this because it risks pushing out the collar of the jacket.
The waistcoat – cut by Russell Howarth at Graham Browne, several years ago – was also quite high under the armholes, again unlike a normal dress piece. It was nice to be reminded of these points, which I discussed with Russell at the time.
The only thing I would change about this waistcoat now is the back – which I would have in a cotton twill or similar matte-finish material. The Bemberg is simply too shiny for a casual piece.
A casual waistcoat always involves a trade-off in length. Any waistcoat will look best with high-waisted trousers, where it can be shorter and only extend a little below the natural waist.
If it is worn with low-waisted trousers, the waistcoat must be longer to prevent shirt peeking out. But too long, and it loses all proportion. Part of the solution is to have relatively high-waisted jeans or other casual trousers (I normally wear these with my high-waisted bespoke denim from Levi’s Lot No.1). Another is not to have too big an opening at the front or sides of the waistcoat.
Oh, and the waistcoats always have in-breast pockets. Only works in heavier cloths.
For any recently joined readers of Permanent Style, read my thoughts on why waistcoats are so logical here:
The logical waistcoat theory (part one)
The logical waistcoat theory (part two)
Photography: Jack Lawson
Do you think that cloth choice would work for a full-on three piece suit? Appreciate it may not be to everyone’s taste but I’ve been considering a tweed / herringbone three piece for some time as I like the slightly cod-Victorian vibe it gives off.
I like it as an idea (Ralph Lauren, obviously, does it well). This particular cloth wouldn’t work that well for trousers, but something I pure wool would
I’ve got a couple of old moleskin waistcoats from Tim Everest (20+ yrs now – he was at Princelet street then). They both have moleskin backs, are a bit longer than normal (I wear my trousers very low-rise), one has a jacket collar the other does not. Without doubt they have been the most worn bespoke items in my wardrobe. Down to pence per wear now.
I really like this style! Good contrast between trousers and waistcoat in color and same degree of pattern/roughness of material. But one great thing that stands out for me is how the shirt frames your face in first picture. Together with the waistcoat you have two nice Vs. Does a shirt have a higher neck button down collar with wider collar? What kind of jacket would you choose on top (maybe even coat)? Does waistcoat have to made bespoke or can MTM be applied? Are alternations possible on RTW waistcoat?
You can alter a RTW waistcoat to make it better, but it will never be like bespoke. You could argue that bespoke for is showed off best in a waistcoat than anything
That’s interesting you say that because I have considered a MTM waistcoat for my bespoke suit commission. Thinking, it’s under a jacket, will still fit well in theory, and won’t actually be worn that often, being used more as a 2 piece. Of course I’m thinking this for the cost saving. About £400 as thom Sweeney. I may have to re evaluate this.
I also meant to say that it is fantastic to see a great jeans outfit. I seem to live in knitwear and short as a uniform once Autumn hits so an outfit like this would be a nice change of pace.
Love the cut, pocket-less finish and interior pocket. Another winner from Davide. I know you generally dislike shiny backs on a waistcoat, I wondered whether there was a matte-look material that would be smooth in finish, that could be part of the design? On the subject, whilst not bespoke can I reccomend Smartwool’s range of vests (Corbett 120). I bought one last year and it is one of the few gilets that will fit under a tailored jacket. The rear is a panel of Merino wool cloth, whilst the front is nylon faced but filled with a thin wool insulation. Excellent warmth for colder days when an overcoat is not yet needed.
Thanks. It was actually made by Graham Browne, as mentioned, and yes I was looking at using a cotton twill cloth. I’d usually use that or self cloth – the same as the front (as I did on my Chittleborough & Morgan waistcoat for example)
What a beautiful garment. I agree the back could sit lower at the collar, and maybe use a drier fabric there, but what a look. White button down, suede chukkas and faded denims, with your leather bomber, or navy moleskin odd jacket, or………
I’m calling Russell.
A waistcoat’s the closest-fitting of all tailored garments. Putting a pocket on the inside is pretty unusual (and tricky to access). A mobile phone will show through and a normal-sized wallet is unthinkable. Outside pockets make more sense, hence that tradition. No easy solution if you don’t want outside pockets. Maybe you need a waist-jacket!
Doesn’t show through for me – as you can see. But it’s a good point, the phone and wallet both have to be very slim
But outside waistcoat pockets were never intended to hold mobile phones; they were not in existence. Coins, tickets and the like perhaps.
Simon – what shirt are you wearing here? I do like the collar stand in the photo at the top of the post. Thanks!
Hey. It’s in the post – Simone Abbarchi. Follow the link for more details
Mmmm, are you sure? 🙂 I don’t see it mentioned, nor a link, unless I’m really missing something…..! But thanks for the reply. Is this a particularly tall collar on this shirt or just a function of how it stands with the waistcoat? Thanks!
Ah, sorry wrong post. This is from Luca Avitabile, button down in a chambray cloth
I work in a very much non-suit or jacket office environment and the Finagons have been a godsend! (thanks for that btw Simon). My go to colours are the midnight and racing green which go with most of my trousers and chinos so would navy be a good idea for a bespoke odd waistcoat for the same versatility? (Same rationale as with a navy blazer perhaps?)
Perhaps, in for example a Harris tweed – something with some texture.
I generally find my mid- to light-grey waistcoats have been more useful, but it does mean they can’t be worn with grey trousers.
What do you think about putting lapels on a waistcoat as a means of making it more casual? I recently saw someone wearing a blue herringbone heavy tweed collared waistcoat over jeans, the same cloth on the back (ie instead of satin or some other material). I guess the downside is that it is harder to wear a lapeled waistcoat under a sports jacket?
Yes. I actually did this with Richard James a while back – see post here. I do like the effect, but I have to say I don’t wear it much. I think it’s just a little unusual, a little dandy. But only a little.
Hi Simon,
Can you elaborate on this:
“Davide reminded me how high the waistcoat had been cut on the neck, up around the shirt collar. A regular dress waistcoat would never be cut like this because it risks pushing out the collar of the jacket.”
It sounds key to getting a jacket over a waistcoat with a full collar but I don’t understand what I am reading. I’m about to have a waistcoat with a full collar made and with my tailor has never done a full collar on a waistcoat before, I want to make sure to communicate anything that might be helpful.
Basically, under the jacket collar, you don’t also want a waistcoat collar that is just as thick, as this then means a lot of material in one place. A dress waistcoat will often be cut a little lower, or not have a collar on the back, to avoid this.
I think just watch out for it at your first fitting, and suggest changing the thickness or placement of the collar if it seems like it will get in the way of the jacket collar sitting nicely on the neck.