When I look at historical portraits and photographs, I see men wearing waistcoats that are very snug. I might even describe it as tight. But when I see modern men wearing waistcoats, they seem to be loose, almost on the verge of being too big around for them.

What happened?

Is it that our cultural sense of vanity changed and men are larger around in the middle than they were in bygone days, which makes them avoid wearing snug waistcoats? Or is there some other explanation which eludes me?

It seems to me that the vast majority of waistcoat-wearers these days are simply wearing them too loosely. And it doesn't look nearly as natural or as good as snug ones.

Or am I way off base?