vest versus waistcoat?

[tulloch]

Can somebody help me here to understand what, if any, difference there is between a vest and a waistcoat? Can a vest have lapels? Can a waistcoat? Any light that can be shed on this will be appreciated.

[Kerr the Walker]

My understanding is that a waistcoat is a vest that buttons up the front and traditionally worn with a jacket. A vest is a garment with no sleeves.

I'm sure there are some others with a more technical (and correct) definition and I also await a clearer answer....

[paulhenry]

English - Waistcoat --- the same as ---- American - Vest
there are so many variations of buttons/lapels etc,that's not the difference

it's language thing...

[Joseph McLaren]

I'm with paulhenry~ it's one of those instances of 'two nations divided by a common language'. In the UK, we use the word vest to describe a sleeveless undershirt.

[BEEDEE]

English - Waistcoat --- the same as ---- American - Vest
there are so many variations of buttons/lapels etc,that's not the difference

it's language thing...

Once again "Two great nations, separated by a common language"

Brian

[peacekeeper83]

I have always refered to a vest as I would a waistcoat.. but of course there are exceptions to everything... I would refer to a sleeveless garb not meant to worn under a jacket as a vest... like a fishing vest, a hunting vest, a jerkin, ect.

The reference of a vest is usually an American term, while the Europeans would refer to the same garments.

[Jock Scot]

I'm with paulhenry~ it's one of those instances of 'two nations divided by a common language'. In the UK, we use the word vest to describe a sleeveless undershirt.

Yes, I agree.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Once again "Two great nations, separated by a common language"

Brian

makes it very easy for a Frenchman, as you can imagine ...


Best,

Robert

[Sir William]

I have always refered to a vest as I would a waistcoat.. but of course there are exceptions to everything...

I tend to use the two terms interchangeably as well, with the exception that I use waistcoat, or wesket, to refer to my 18th century garments.

I'm slightly curious as to when Americans began to refer to waistcoats as vests.

[auld argonian]

A waistcoat is a vest with delusions of grandeur.

Best

AA