Consider the double breasted vest. There are a variety of styles for a man's vest but we generally see just the single breasted (the upper right panel in the illustration). Once in a rare while that single breasted model will have notched lapels in a more conservative version of the vest at the lower right, but that's usually as adventuresome as contemporary clothing gets.
Well I'm here to to talk up the double breasted shawl collar model (center left) as a change of pace for a dark single breasted city suit. The double breasted vest is a bit harder to make and fit and I assume those are the reasons it fell out of favor on the ready to wear racks. That rarity makes it a nice choice for a bespoke change of pace.
Consider that a DB vest is not flashy like slanted pockets, which have run their course as London's version of a "my suit is bespoke" symbol now that they are found on off the peg garments. The owner of a DB vested suit can just leave the vest hanging at home and wear the jacket and trousers when the occasion calls for discretion. The rest of the time he's got something interesting to wear to a cocktail party. And that's a good thing.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Consider the DB Vest
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3 comments:
I'm a huge fan of the double breasted vest, Will. But I do have a question for you. Do you recommend a DB vest be made with a suit, or would an odd vest be appropriate to wear?
The reason I'm asking is I have a dove gray DB vest that I like to pull out on occasion. Is it a faux pas to wear that with say, a charcoal pinstripe or navy chalkstripe suit? Such a look reminds me of some wardrobes in 1930s films (especially when I pair my gray spats with the outfit for period costume parties), but would that fly at a cocktail party?
I like my dove gray odd vest, though it's not DB. Either way will look great.
Paul Stuart is featuring a double breasted vest in their Madison Avenue window. (as opposed to the 45th Street windows) It's a little foo-foo for my taste with all the paisley in it. But I do like DB vests in general and certainly single breasted odd ones to wear with an odd jacket and odd trousers.
C'mon, Scott, you're such a sharp dresser you could get away with anything.....
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