Coloured Waistcoats

[Jock Scot]

About various waistcoat colours, we can look back to the 1860s and see, in The Highlanders Of Scotland, that it was quite common for the waistcoat to not match the jacket.

With the jackets equivalent to our modern "day" tweed jackets around half have matching waistcoats and the others tartan, crimson, or red waistcoats. (Tartan waistcoats weren't just for Evening Dress at that time!)

With the "doublets" (the nearly universal formal jacket of that time, usually black with square silver buttons) the waistcoats are never matching but are tartan or red, save for a couple of buff/cream waistcoats.

In my old Highland Dress catalogues from the 1930s etc the two main formal jackets of that time, the Coatee and the Doublet, are illustrated and described with matching, tartan, or red waistcoats.

One illustration shows a Coatee (Prince Charlie) worn in a much more formal way that we usually see today, with tartan waistcoat, lace jabot, castellated diced hose, and buckled shoes.

It was said, in my youth, that the problem with a person wearing a red waistcoat with formal attire was that one often got mistaken for staff.

[saxandpipes]

It was said, in my youth, that the problem with a person wearing a red waistcoat with formal attire was that one often got mistaken for staff.

See, these are precisely the things we need to know...

Not only what is tradtional or not, but what can help one avoid being mistaken for staff. (I dread the thought...)... actually, I once got asked at a funeral if I was the undertaker!!!

Thanks Jock!

[EagleJCS]

Not only what is tradtional or not, but what can help one avoid being mistaken for staff. (I dread the thought...)... actually, I once got asked at a funeral if I was the undertaker!!!

Since I often 'dress up' (at least coat & tie if not suit) when going to the funeral parlor and/or funeral service, I've had the same asked of me, and more than once! It seems to be more and more common for people to 'come as they are', as though they just got finished trimming the lawn and then decided to go pay their respects - almost as an afterthought. When I was younger, I nearly got a spanking for not wanting to wear a tie to a visitation.


To veer back towards the theme of the thread...

Regarding OC's post, I think it was not only Highland attire of that period that had contrasting coats/jackets and waistcoats. From what I recall of various paintings/pictures I've seen, men often had contrasting materials for those items. It was one way to set oneself apart when everyone was wearing the same color coat & trousers.

I prefer wearing a contrasting color waistcoat when I'm not in my band uniform and have to wear the black & black. I like waistcoats and would love to get some other styles and colors (even some double-breasted and waistcoats with lapels). Sigh... someday.

[creagdhubh]

I've commissioned a formal four-button waistcoat with lapels out of lovely burgundy velvet from Matt at the STM. Hoping it shows up in time for Grandfather Mountain...

Cordially,

David

Is that to be worn with evening attire David? Being made of velvet, I assume so.

Cheers,

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I've commissioned a formal four-button waistcoat with lapels out of lovely burgundy velvet from Matt at the STM. Hoping it shows up in time for Grandfather Mountain...

Cordially,

David

Looking forward to seeing at the banquet on the 9th.

[davidlpope]

Is that to be worn with evening attire David? Being made of velvet, I assume so.

Cheers,

Yes!

Looking forward to seeing at the banquet on the 9th.

Thanks for the reminder. I need to call Matt tomorrow and see if it has arrived...

[creagdhubh]

Yes!



Thanks for the reminder. I need to call Matt tomorrow and see if it has arrived...

You mean you forgot?!!! Oh dear, David! LOL!

Slainte,

[piperdbh]

Here's my contribution. Thanks to Steve for the idea.

This is a green waistcoat I bought from newjerseypiper.com.


People often give my mother clothes, knowing she'll distribute them to people in need. I was in need of this tan waistcoat, so she distributed it to me.


I bought some yardage of Harris tweed for another project and had enough "scrap" left over to make this little number.


The fabric shop had a large piece of this yellow checked fabric which I just couldn't pass up. I made a shirt form the same fabric.


I made the hose I'm wearing in this picture, too, as well as my bonnet. The jacket is a thrift shop conversion. The flowerbed was my spring break building project. I never got around to sowing grass in front of the wall, so I've used a little photo magic to "plant" some in these pictures.

[JSFMACLJR]

Most Forumeers mention wearing black evening waistcoats when togged out for formal events, with a smattering of tartan waistcoats worn by some of more...advanced tastes. Seldom, though, do we hear about coloured waistcoats. I have a red one I sometimes wear, as well as a white marcella one.

What thoughts do you have about this very traditional bit of Highland haberdashery, the coloured waistcoat?

Well, I intended this thread to be a discussion about coloured waistcoats worn with evening dress (black tie, white tie) and really hadn't even considered discussing waistcoats for day dress, but the thread steered in that direction in a most interesting way!

I have occasionally worn yellow doeskin waistcoats with tweed jackets, as well as tattersal and brown waistcoats. One of my sons likes to wear a coloured waistcoat with the kilt and looks very nice.

[OC Richard]

Great photos, guys!

I'm really itching to get some more waistcoats just now!

Tartan for starters...

BTW J Higgins has very reasonable prices for their tartan waistcoats and I'll probably go with them.