Yes, we can prove that our sales are up, but that could be just increasing market share in a declining market. A skeptical person could suggest that we are bound to say that waistcoats are coming back into style because we are biased and have (as the Americans call it) a ‘vest-ed’ interest due to make our living designing and making waistcoats. Now due to Google’s voracious scanning of books we can prove it.

Google have scanned in and processed over 15 million of books and we can now search on terms across the whole database. From the graph below you can see how often waistcoats have been mentioned in literature, magazines, books and all kinds of publications from 1800 through to 2008. That certainly covers the big picture.

We can see that waistcoats were popular throughout the 19th Century when most men worn waistcoats. Waistcoat popularity peaked around 1900 and Edwardian times. If you look at photographs of gentlemen from that period then invariably they will be sporting a waistcoat. The First World War obviously saw a decline due to the appalling loss of life and dominance of horrific battles. During the prosperity of the 1920s waistcoats were on the up. Then, like everything else, there was a decline during the 1930s depression and the Second World War. This decline continued Post-war due to fabric shortages and the public’s demand for more casual clothing.

21st Century: Waistcoats Back Into Fashion

Then at the year 2000 this downward trend was reverses. From 2000 to 2008 we see waistcoats are increasing in popularity. This has been good business for us because we have been selling waistcoats online since 2000. (Shrewd investors always want to join at the bottom of any market!)

For more details about the history of waistcoats see our article
Waistcoat History : How The Waistcoat Has Changed Throughout The Ages

Conclusion

When you decide to don a waistcoat you associate with a long and splendid tradition. Take that kudos. But you’re no old fogey in a declining and obscure clique. No, your are part of an upcoming trend of people with the foresight to invest in the versatile and timeless nature of the waistcoat.

Waistcoats Direct
Web site : www.WaistcoatsDirect.co.uk
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Wearing a waistcoat to a special event ceremonies, annual award evenings, Ascot, proms, dinner parties shows that you are making the effort to respect the occasion. How efficient – in just the few seconds to put on a waistcoat – is all that it takes. When a guy books a cruise it’s better if he some stylish waistcoats for the evening meals. If you are invited on the Captain’s table then wearing a smart waistcoat will look good on the photos.

Waistcoats for Business

Nothing is better than smart waistcoat for fitting for important business meetings. As soon as you put on your waistcoat it is like a suit of armour and you are ready to battle the slings and arrows of the business world. Walk into a meeting in a waistcoat and I defy you not to feel more confident. And why not, because you if you look the part you can act the part with professionalism and gravitas.

Be Different

Why dress the same as everybody else? The truth is your not the same as everyone else. In times past it was the norm for male fashion to have a more tailored look. But modern mores have conventionalized the mundane mass-produced over-casual. Open a typical guy’s wardrobe and the styling is bland. It’s not necessarily his fault: the dull offerings of menswear shops gives a restricted choice.

Wedding Waistcoats

Getting married in a waistcoat is a must. And not just the groom but also the best man and ushers. Waistcoats for the men make them look a complete unit on the photos. Often the groom gets a waistcoats that is a variation in colour to what the others are wearing so the he stands out visually.

Change the mood

On the evening, after a hard day’s work, wearing a casual waistcoat helps change the mood. Casual styles like denim waistcoats. Or what about taking leaf out of Italian style and wearing a waistcoat on top of a t-shirts with jeans? With a waistcoat you have more options to think up unconventional combinations. You can recycle a formal waistcoat into a casual everyday style to create a different urban cool look that gets attention in the right way. A different waistcoat to reflect a different mood. There’s a group on Facebook promoting Waistcoat Wednesdays where they wear waistcoats on a Wednesday. Why not, as it helps break the week up.

The X factor

Trendy bands love wearing waistcoats. Once you start noticing musician wearing waistcoats you will be amazing just how many do. Notice how often the performers on X-factor are styled in waistcoats. Stage performance of all kinds like wearing waistcoats: public speakers, magicians, toastmasters, ballroom dancers. Maybe the extra layer is a comforting psychological barrier that makes the extrovert feel safe?

Flexibility

Picture the scenario, you go to a function where it’s bitterly cold outside, but they have the heating up too much. Wearing a waistcoat will keep you warm when outside, then when you get too warm inside you can unbutton. If you get too hot you can take it off if you want to hit the dancefloor and show off your shapes and steps. Then when you need to go out again your waistcoat keeps you warm while others freeze. Waistcoat-less you don’t have the same options.

Tradition

The royals wear waistcoats, and not just the older members of the Royal Family. For instance, Prince William is a big fan of waistcoats. The history of the waistcoat tells that for over the past four centuries men of importance and status have worn waistcoats. Donning a waistcoat can invoke the thrill of a bygone era when men’s style seem to matter more. The retro gentlemen in The Chap magazine value the aesthetic manliness of the past. A waistcoat is vital part of such an ensemble.

Keep warm

Waistcoat give you practical warmth. Especially in winter, especially wearing wool waistcoats. It true that as we age we feel the cold more. Keeping the chest area warm is important to protect against winter cold. By maintaining your core body temperature you are more able to fight off infections. The waistcoats is a favoured garment for people in country pursuits and even ageing punk rockers.

Colour

Most men’s suits are in sombre colours. In past centuries men’s clothing was more ornate and as elaborate as a peacock. But by the twentieth century, men of status wanted to project their business-like credentials and that was reflected in men wearing uniformly plain dark suits. The trend for dull colours for suits continues right up to the present day. So given that you have invested in a sensible mature man’s suit then how to you add individuality and colour? The waistcoat is one solution. You can wear a suit that a cloned bank manager might wear but if you put a brightly colour waistcoat underneath then viola – you are an individual again.

Conclusion

Wearing a waistcoat can be many things: fun, fashionable,individualistic, practical, traditional and stylish.