Tweed waistcoat?

[RunTheWorldOnMac]

Simple, do I need a tweed waistcoat? If I'm wearing my tweed as day wear, perhaps a wedding or Robbie Burns Night; would I actually wear my waistcoat? I don't want to spend $ on something I may never wear.

Who wears it and when?

[Grizzly]

Short answer - no you don't need one.

Long answer - I feel that the waistcoat gives you more options, you can wear it with the jacket and it looks damn smart or you can just wear it without the jacket for more casual wear.

For the extra it costs, I would have one, it is a very versatile item of clothing.

[Mikilt]

Short answer - no you don't need one.

Long answer - I feel that the waistcoat gives you more options, you can wear it with the jacket and it looks damn smart or you can just wear it without the jacket for more casual wear.

For the extra it costs, I would have one, it is a very versatile item of clothing.

Good answer, Grizzly. I too consider the vest/waistcoat a valuable accessory, but not essential. I learned to sew so that I can make waistcoats in different colors to suit my kilts. With or without a jacket, waistcoats are smart.

[RunTheWorldOnMac]

I have a waist coat for my argyle since it's black and dressy I can wear it by itself. I have yet to see pics of someone wearing a tweed waistcoat all by it's onsey. Anyone for against? These guys are spending my money...

[Chas]

It does not have to be tweed does it. I have a plethora of waistcoats, but not one is tweed.

A 5 button navy blue - barathea wool,
A 5 button black - barathea wool,
A 5 button forest green - barathea wool,
A 5 button buff - suede,
A 5 button red - melton wool,

A 6 button black - barathea wool - round neck,

A 3 button navy blue - barathea wool,
A 3 button forest green - barathea wool,
A 3 button black - barathea wool,
A 3 button white - maracella cotton.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

If you have the opportunity to purchase a tweed waistcoat with your jacket and can afford to do so, I would recommend it, even if you don't think you will wear it much. I say that for the simple reason that it can be very difficult to find a tweed waistcoat that will exactly match your jacket later on down the road if you change your mind.

No, the waistcoat does not necessarily have to match the fabric of the jacket; a complementary fabric can look very nice. But it is nice to have one that matches and this is your one opportunity to get one guaranteed to match. So go for it if you can.

[MacMillans son]

I have a waist coat for my argyle since it's black and dressy I can wear it by itself. I have yet to see pics of someone wearing a tweed waistcoat all by it's onsey. Anyone for against? These guys are spending my money...

I agree with the buy it if you can afford it crowd RTWOM. When purchased as part of a set, the price is usually not too much more than the jacket alone price (+/- $50) Purchased alone you'll find they are closer to $150. Here are a couple of photos with Connie and Daelin(pre kilt) from the Santa Cruz Games and Ren Faire (2012 I think).






I think waistcoats work well alone for daywear. I wear one with or without a tie depending on my mood. At work I tend to wear it without for a more casual look. However, I never wear a jacket without a tie, but that's just me

I say "go for it!"

[Nathan]

Because my traditional kilts are strapped at the natural waist with a rise, I like how the waistcoat creates the visual illusion of a waistline close to where it would be in trousers, thus elongating the torso and avoiding the potential "Urkel" look. My jacket didn't come with a matching waistcoat so I wear a contrasting fabric which is smart but I am resigned to the fact that I will never find a waistcoat that perfectly matches. As Matt and others mentioned, if you can swing it, do so because you won't have the chance later. If you can't swing it, well you can't. Don't avoid it just to be frugal.

[Grizzly]

I agree with the buy it if you can afford it crowd RTWOM. When purchased as part of a set, the price is usually not too much more than the jacket alone price (+/- $50) Purchased alone you'll find they are closer to $150. Here are a couple of photos with Connie and Daelin(pre kilt) from the Santa Cruz Games and Ren Faire (2012 I think).

[URL=http://s997.photobucket.com/user/Socialwrkr/media/Santa%20Cruz%20games%202012/651.jpg.html][/

I say "go for it!"

There you go again Brooke posting a pic without you in it.

[JohntheBiker]

A waistcoat has the potential to expand your wardrobe considerably, including dressing up your tweed jacket. For the relative price, I would say a definite yes.