Shopping for a waistcoat (vest)

**Clockwork John** · 30th June 07, 10:56 AM

I found a local thrift store that has a large selection of waistcoats/vests, and I'm thinking of going to get one to wear with my kilt. My question is, what color should I get? The two kilts I plan on wearing it with are Black Watch and Campbell of Argyll. Should I go with a dark blue or black waistcoat?

Also, I have an outfit in mind... I'm planning on wearing the waistcoat with the kilt (obviously), a white shirt (with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows when appropriate), possibly a tie, boots, and a scally cap/flat cap- sort of an old-school "working class immigrant" look... casual, but classy enough that I could get away with it at church or at a wedding... any suggestions?

**McMurdo** · 30th June 07, 11:54 AM

Well as you have not indicated if you will be wearing the waistcoat with an Argyle or other type of jacket I would say to see if you can find one that is black as it will work with quite a few tartans including the Black Watch and Campbell of Argyll. Might I also suggest you see if you can get a waistcoat in tweed as I think a tweed waistcoat would look very sharp with the outfit you are preposing.

**Clockwork John** · 30th June 07, 12:07 PM

I hadn't planned on wearing a jacket for two reasons: one, I don't have one, and two, right now the average temperature where I live is between 95 and 105 degrees farenheit.

I'll look for a tweed waistcoat, and I'll aslo browse the jackets while I'm there, but I doubt I'll find anything I can work with...

**pipesndrumsnun** · 30th June 07, 12:47 PM

I would definitely suggest solid black.

It looks good/classy with most everything.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 30th June 07, 01:11 PM

I'll second the solid black and a tweed (if possible) in a shade of grey.

**Arlen** · 30th June 07, 01:14 PM

I agree with the idea of one black and one tweed.
The black can be for classier functions with an appropriate tie and sleeves down.
Tweed with cap and no tie and sleeves rolled up. That way you have a casual dressy and a dressy formal outfit.

**MacWage** · 30th June 07, 06:19 PM

If you want black, it is BEST to order the jacket and vest at the same time. There are MANY shades of black and a bad match can look REALLY bad.
However, you MAY get lucky and find ones that work GREAT together.

In all seriousness, I'd look into tweeds, hunter green, & navy, as well as black (for those particular tartans).
Green is more "bold" for today, but I am planning on making myself one.

In vests, you can either match/coordinate EITHER the jacket or the kilt.
Tweeds are considered "coordinating" for most tartans.

For cheep vests, look at thrift stores. The main difficulty is matching ANYTHING, as the retailer and fabric's mill is essentially TOTALLY unknown.

**Clockwork John** · 30th June 07, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I checked a couple different thrift stores this afternoon, and found a whole lot of nothing. I'm definitely going to keep looking, and I'll be sure to post when I find something.

billmcc · 1st July 07, 08:16 AM

I've never seen a vest at the thrift stores in my area.

J. Higgins sells a black waistcoat for $60. See it here:
http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...181C0C0OQSP9FD

**MacWage** · 2nd July 07, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by billmcc

I've never seen a vest at the thrift stores in my area.

J. Higgins sells a black waistcoat for $60. See it here:
http://www.jhiggins.net/sf_proddetai...181C0C0OQSP9FD

I went by Goodwill (a thrift store) today in Laurens. They had 5 vests. 2 with odd "tweed-ish" patterns and NO matching jackets, 1 HIDEOUS one, a BRIGHT garnet red (to bright for me), and a REALLY NICE black wool fronted 6-button one with a satin back (which is now in my possession).
Addition-> I paid a total of $3 for the vest (and I bought a light weight dark gray tweed jacket to mod for $5, for a grand sum of $8)