Quote Originally Posted by beerbecue
This is exactly why I started the thread. To find out if it would be OK to have a backless vest as a formal vest vs. a PC vest. I wasn't sure if the back/backless vest option would be more appropriate if/when a jacket was removed.
The backless waistcoat was developed partialy to allow people to NOT remove the jacket. They are cooler than a full waistcoat for obvious reasons. However, they usually look like a mess when the jacket is removed.

I always suggest to my clients that if they expect to be removing their jackets that the wedding party should always wear a full waistcoat. Personally the only backless waistcoat I own is a white one, worn with my PC jacket for white tie affairs. Obviously at such an affair I would not be removing my jacket so the fact that is backless is not a problem. All the rest of my waistcoats are full back. So if you are not sure whether you will want to remove your jacket or not, then find a full backed waist coat.