Advice sought on waistcoats

[salsatron]

Hi guys,

Ok, now I am seeking advice on waistcoats.

Personally, I don't feel right wearing just a shirt a tie when I take my jacket off - as such, I have taken to wearing waistcoats. However, it's difficult to find good ones (particularly as most of my shopping is now done in charity shops).

I have tried a few, and at the moment, I basically use two. I have a "work" waistcoat, in various shades of brown, pick on pick with a faint check pattern. It goes very nicely with the brown corduroy jacket I usually wear. It fits me very snuggly (I don't need to tighten it at all using the strap at the back), but unfortunately it is too short, and doesn't cover the waistline. Nevertheless, for the moment I use it.

The second is a beautiful pale buff waistcoat, solid colour, linen. I am mainly using this for more special occasions (or the weekends). It is longer, and covers the waistline when I wear trousers which rise to the waist properly, but it doesn't fit as well and I have had to tighten it all the way up at the back - yet it still tends to flap out a bit around the chest.

So, other than covering the waistline, I don't know any of the theoretical rules covering waistcoats. Are there are with regards to the rest of the fit, and to how much you should have to tighten it before it looks just plain wrong? Can I take it to get it altered? Should I even, god forbid, try to do so myself?

Thanks.

[Costi]

Salsatron, don't you think an honest shirt is nicer to see than a waistcoat that floats above the trousers' waistband or bunches up behind like a side curtain in its strap? I'd say give the brown one (back) to a charity shop if you can see shirt between its bottom and your trousers; and have the buff one altered if it's worth the effort. Buying things from charity shops is one thing (if you find garments in good condition that fit you reasonably well and match your budget) and looking like you dress out of others' charity is another. Buy things that look good on you or can be altered and do adjust them if you care about your dress.

[salsatron]

Thanks for the reply Costi. I have to say, I am very much of the mind that I should just give the brown one back, but I am still not comfortable with wearing just a shirt and tie - I guess that is something I am going to have to slowly get over by trying different quality shirts.

Are there good guidelines on how a waistcoat should fit though? Any rules of thumb? What should I be looking out for when I look for waistcoats, other than covering the waistline?