Suggestions for a cheap waistcoat

[runewolf]

I have been wondering around our target and sears looking for a decent looking waistcoat to wear with my MacPherson (red) kilt without any luck. I am finding some that from the front look nice, but have these huge silk screened images on the back that look just awful or they only have small and mediums. The websites are not much better and I hate to buy something I cannot try on. I am looking for something in the less than $50 range since I am about to buy an Argyle coat and jacket from USA Kilts. Has anyone purchased a decent cheap vest lately?

[gilmore]

Have you thought of buying tartan and making it (preferably on the bias) yourself? Or having a local seamstress make it? Vests aren't difficult, other than the buttonholes.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Two Words: GOOD WILL.

Thrift stores are an excellent source of inexpensive waistcoats and neckties. Other than that you might want to try your hand with a sewing machine and a pattern from your local sewing shoppe. If you can built a kite, you can make a waistcoat.

[sydnie7]

Sewed one up in less than a day, and that included modifying the pattern from 5 to 3 buttons and from "pointed" to flat bottom hem. That didn't include any welted pockets, tho. Nice thing about making your own is making the back from wool, if desired, so it looks better when worn solo.

[Aldisimo]

I also suggest checking the thrift stores. I've seen lots of them there lately.

[runewolf]

Good point about the thrift stores... Will try to get away from work long enough to look tomorrow. I can sew buttons back on and crudely repair a torn item, but my sewing skills leave a lot to be desired lol.

[piperdbh]

Regarding silk screened backs:
It might be that a screen printer in your town can remove that image. I used to work at a screen print shop, and that's how we fixed our mistakes. There's a fluid that shoots out of a high-pressure spray gun and it dissolves screen printed ink.
Another option might be to take one of those waistcoats to a good seamstress/tailor and have them take the back apart and turn the printed image to the inside.

Goodwill's probably your best bet.

[Colin]

check the tux rental shops nearby. Their busy season is over and they are likely clearing out the old stock to make room for new stuff for grad and summer weddings.

[JimB]

Target used to have some nice ones. Try their on-line store.

[runewolf]

Bust at Goodwill, one vest that would work, too small. Target.com only had small and mediums. I do have a couple other thrift stores to check. The silk screened backs, for $15 -$20 might be ok, but I'd hate to buy them and them just have it fall apart trying to get the design off. I'd rather pay more and get something that all I have to do is iron a wider V into and pin or sew it in place.