I like them because they make an unbutton jacket still look reasonably smart and since the cost is marginal, if people at work don't like the vest you can abandon it with minimal cost.

Originally I never had vests but now I do with most of my single breasted suits. Vests can be fun and there are a lot of styles to chose from but definitely follow Marc's advice on the buttons.

Thinking of having a vest or two made for use with sport coats.  Saw a gentleman wearing a cream-colored vest with lapels along with a tweed jacket that was very sharp-looking.

Personally, I love vests.  I often wear them with odd coats and mix odd vests with suits - it definately changes a rather 'somber' look into something a bit unique.  I would go with six buttons, also, something to consider would be the idea of adding lapels to the vests.

Thanks for your feedback.  My handle might misrepresent me, though.  I was born (not graduated) in 1974, so my stay in New Haven came many, many years later.

I really like the look of vests, especially non-matching ones, but they are not part of my repertoire simply because I wear lower rise pants and belts exclusively and the look is not so harmonious.  During the winter I wear a lot of sweater vests with sportcoats and perhaps will try one with a suit every once in awhile.  I consider a three piece suit more elegant than I am.  I like to have a bit a casual look at all times so there is some give and take.

I like 'em though I only own 1 3-piece suit in grey nailhead.  I think it's a really smart look and for some instinctive reason I think it makes the tie look better.  Would like to get 3 piecers in navy pinstripe, grey flannel, and grey chalkstripe someday, even if I didn't always use the vests.

Also a fan of the odd waistcoat.  I've seen a few good examples in 50s films.  Though I do think the go-to-hell ones sold by Andover with pheasants and such on them are a bit much.

As for wearing with a 3-2, I know Brooks in the past has made some 3-2 vest combinations, also J. Press continues, every few years, to sell an OTR 3-2 3 piece, and I saw a great looking 3-2 3-piece grey flannel or pinstripe job in the movie "My Favorite Year" on an older gentleman coming out of a theatre, I think, at the beginning of the movie (with red/navy repp tie beneath).  It does strike me as a bit of a 50s Ivy look, but I think it could work in modern world without being Ivy as well (though I personally would keep it that way).

Last edited by Coolidge (2007-05-03 10:23:52)

Timely post for me, as I just added a vest to the suit Desmond Merrion is making me.

No, I doubt it will become any rarer.  I just don't think we're on the verge of a suit comeback or an era in which Apparel Artsing will be rewarded with anything more than disconcerted looks or snide comments.

Hopefully I am wrong though.  Never been any good at calling fashion trends.