Matching a waistcoat with a classic blazer outfit.

[salsatron]

Ok, brief conundrum. I'm trying to think what colour waistcoat would go best with a classic blazer outfit - i.e. navy blazer, chinos or other cream/tan trousers, white shirt and tie. I'm of the opinion that having a waistcoat that actually matches the blazer or the trousers would look wrong, and all I can think that would really work would be a dove grey waistcoat as is worn with morning dress. Any opinions or suggestions?

[rodes]

This is a look that I enjoy and would like to see more of for blazers and other odd jackets. I would go with the traditional buff and light gray, always taking care to make some contrast with the trousers in color,shade, texture or all three. In cooler weather tatersall or tartan would be smart.

[Jordan Marc]

With a blue blazer and mid-grey flannel trousers or dark tan gabardine trousers, add a few tattersal vests with grown on lapels, not sewn on, made of doeskin flannel. Grown on lapels have a lovely roll to the top button, which complements the roll of the blazer's lapels. Sewn on lapels read flat and look like they were steamrolled. The colorways might include a navy and white on a greyed blue ground, a light blue on a creamy ground, and the ever popular red and grey on a soft white ground. Who has the best tattersal book? W. Bill or Smith Woollens.

As an alternative to vests, consider a few V-neck sleeveless pullovers made of multi-ply cashmere
with a cablestitch weave, the best of which are made in Scotland. Avoid Chinese made cashmere.
It's drek. Garbage!

JMB

[culverwood]

I would go the way of toning with the jacket rather than the trousers as this picture from Will's blog of a gentleman in a sports coat and waistcoat shows.
http://asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com/index.html

[Costi]

As an alternative to vests, consider a few V-neck sleeveless pullovers made of multi-ply cashmere

Better than a waistcoat with a blazer, in my view.

[salsatron]

Thanks for the advice - I'm going to see what I can find in the way of dove greys and tattersalls, I think they will work well.

I normally go down the route of wearing odd jackets in a mid-shade of brown, which I normally twin with a darker navy waistcoat, and the thought of what to go with for the waistcoat when switching the jacket colour has been troubling me.