Odd Waistcoat

[John H. Watson, M.D]

Dear Fellow members of LL,

I have in the past observed many stylish gentlemen wearing elegant odd waistcoats with their suits or even sport jackets. I have always been curious to adopt the style but does any member have any suggestion on the how to wear them and whether there are any rules with odd waistcoat?

Thanks,

Watson

[rodes]

This is a good question on a timeless look. Check out the vintage esquire prints by artists like Fellows and you will often see it. I can not add much other than to say "go for it". You will look smart and I trust that I will as well when I get around to employing it which should be soon. The odd vest is a classic touch that I have always favored.

[salsatron]

I love it as a look. For work I normally go for a twist on the classic blazer look (i.e. navy jacket, chinos, white shirt, tie), by replacing the navy blazer with a mid-brown jacket and adding in a navy waistcoat. I have to be quite careful with how dark the jacket is - if it's too dark then there isn't enough contrast with the waistcoat - I try to stick to the rule whenever I'm wearing a waistcoat that both the trousers and jacket should both be either lighter or darker than the waistcoat, and both should be darker than the shirt. Obviously I wear this with a tie as well. This works very well for me.

When I occasionally wear my grey suit, I add a lighter grey waistcoat.

When I want to dress up, I have a sort of "mock dress" outfit (modelled on the stroller) composed of a navy pinstripe jacket with pointed lapels, dark grey trousers, white shirt and a cream linen waistcoat and gold tie (or if I feel daring, a lighter cream coloured Ascot cravat).

I'm going to try to put together another ensemble for work with a navy jacket and grey trousers, but I haven't decided yet on what colour waistcoat. I might go with dove.

Go for it, odd waistcoats add so much to an outfit!

[John H. Watson, M.D]

Thank you Salsatron and rodes,

Thank you very much for your advice! Does any members have any helpful photos on how odd waistcoats could compliment the style?

Watson

[salsatron]

I've tried to attach a photo of my dressy outfit. On this occasion I was trying it with an Ascot, but generally I think that is too much of a look and a simple gold tie is better. But it illustrates how the cream waistcoat compliments the jacket (and it also goes well with the hat).

pretty spiffy.jpg

If I can I will try to put up a photo of my work outfit as well.