Tweed waistcoat?

[RunTheWorldOnMac]

Simple, do I need a tweed waistcoat? If I'm wearing my tweed as day wear, perhaps a wedding or Robbie Burns Night; would I actually wear my waistcoat? I don't want to spend $ on something I may never wear.

Who wears it and when?

[Grizzly]

Short answer - no you don't need one.

Long answer - I feel that the waistcoat gives you more options, you can wear it with the jacket and it looks damn smart or you can just wear it without the jacket for more casual wear.

For the extra it costs, I would have one, it is a very versatile item of clothing.

[Mikilt]

Short answer - no you don't need one.

Long answer - I feel that the waistcoat gives you more options, you can wear it with the jacket and it looks damn smart or you can just wear it without the jacket for more casual wear.

For the extra it costs, I would have one, it is a very versatile item of clothing.

Good answer, Grizzly. I too consider the vest/waistcoat a valuable accessory, but not essential. I learned to sew so that I can make waistcoats in different colors to suit my kilts. With or without a jacket, waistcoats are smart.

[JohntheBiker]

A waistcoat has the potential to expand your wardrobe considerably, including dressing up your tweed jacket. For the relative price, I would say a definite yes.

[RunTheWorldOnMac]

I have a waist coat for my argyle since it's black and dressy I can wear it by itself. I have yet to see pics of someone wearing a tweed waistcoat all by it's onsey. Anyone for against? These guys are spending my money...

[Chas]

It does not have to be tweed does it. I have a plethora of waistcoats, but not one is tweed.

A 5 button navy blue - barathea wool,
A 5 button black - barathea wool,
A 5 button forest green - barathea wool,
A 5 button buff - suede,
A 5 button red - melton wool,

A 6 button black - barathea wool - round neck,

A 3 button navy blue - barathea wool,
A 3 button forest green - barathea wool,
A 3 button black - barathea wool,
A 3 button white - maracella cotton.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If you have the opportunity to purchase a tweed waistcoat with your jacket and can afford to do so, I would recommend it, even if you don't think you will wear it much. I say that for the simple reason that it can be very difficult to find a tweed waistcoat that will exactly match your jacket later on down the road if you change your mind.

No, the waistcoat does not necessarily have to match the fabric of the jacket; a complementary fabric can look very nice. But it is nice to have one that matches and this is your one opportunity to get one guaranteed to match. So go for it if you can.

[creagdhubh]

If you have the opportunity to purchase a tweed waistcoat with your jacket and can afford to do so, I would recommend it, even if you don't think you will wear it much. I say that for the simple reason that it can be very difficult to find a tweed waistcoat that will exactly match your jacket later on down the road if you change your mind.

No, the waistcoat does not necessarily have to match the fabric of the jacket; a complementary fabric can look very nice. But it is nice to have one that matches and this is your one opportunity to get one guaranteed to match. So go for it if you can.

PLUS ONE! I agree completely, as well as with what Simon (Grizzly) mentioned above. I always purchase the tweed jacket with a matching waistcoat for the precise reason in which Matt states above. Do I always wear a waistcoat with the jacket? No, especially during the warmer months; however, you can always opt to wear the waistcoat by itself with a smart, button down shirt and necktie, and vice versa with only the jacket.

[andycwb]

Another angle to look at this: apart from the most formal wear (PC in my case) I won't wear a waistcoat unless it's instead of a jacket.

If I can walk slowly for 20 minutes in a PC jacket and waistcoat, 13oz kilt + accessories, and have to stop to cool down before entering the venue, it's warm enough. That was about 3degC (37degF) in a breezy and damp London evening.

My reluctance to wear 'tweedy' colours has been mentioned elsewhere.

[rsvpiper]

IMG_4583.jpg
Like this
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or this or how ever you see fit tweed is such nice a material with many different colours and styles that it can be posh or scuff without too much effort either way.