waistcoat
Summary
Deep rose-pink satin figured waistcoat with cut and uncut velvet in design of flowers in diagonal trellis; lining and back natural linen double breasted,with narrow overlap,fastening with eight pearl buttons attatched with clips on wrong side,and buttonholes,each side; v-neck with revers sewn down at corners,and standing collar; straight waistline; back in two sections; front edges lined chintz; collar lined red velvet in front. Described by Dr C W Cunnington as a "countrified" style.
Display Label
For centuries, the waistcoat was one of the chief areas for decoration in men's dress. During the eighteenth century, waistcoats often matched the coat or jacket and the breeches, either in fabrics like silk brocades, damasks or velvets, or in embroidered decoration in court suits. The main image shows a sky blue silk damask waistcoat which was made of the same fabric as a banyan or gown, and worn as an outfit. By the later eighteenth century waistcoats shortened and ended in a horizontal line at the waist. New fabrics like cotton became fashionable, often embroidered in stylised neo-classical designs. During the nineteenth century, the waistcoat if anything became more of a focus for attention, with the vibrant damasks and brocades contrasting with the increasingly dark, plain and sober cloth suits. Today, 2-piece suits are popular, and it is more often the jazzy tie which lifts the monochrome tone of the outer fabric, and which reveals a little of the character of the wearer.
Object Name
waistcoat
Date Created
1785-90
Dimensions
Length:
accession number
1953.448
Place of creation
England
Medium
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