Waistcoats? A throwback to a by gone time or timeless fashion?

Waestrel

I think waistcoats (when worn in a non skinny jeaned, non hipster paradigm) are quitessestially masculine. The rat packers wore them, and they were men's men, , they are still standard dress wear at weddings and formal occasions, and the likes of johnny depp can be seen in them. But are they gone from everyday wear? is a man wearing a waistcoat with a shirt seen as trying hard, or possible gay?

What does boards think? hot or not?

Slattsy

They're are very chavvy.

Im not a fan anyway and would never wear one. I think they look terrible on men under 40, very oldman-ish looking.

listermint

Never without a Suit.


With a suit Yes.

Waistcoats are excellent. When worn in a three piece suit, they can completely transform a person. I wouldn't say that a person who wears a waistcoat as everyday wear would be seen as "gay", given that the lines between male and female clothes have become excessively blurred through the hipster age (I found myself awful confused looking through tshirts in River Island, thinking I had mistakenly stepped into the ladies' department). I do think it largely depends on what you wear it with - if you do wear it with something slightly casual (which can work sometimes), then it wouldn't come across as trying too hard.

How in the 'eck does a waistcoat look "chavvy" (for the record, I hate that word) - by it's very definition, it's the polar opposite of "chavvy".

Reekwind

Waestrel wrote: »

What does boards think?

I think you're worrying too much about perceptions of sexuality

Personally I would never wear a waistcoat but that's because I find them entirely unnecessary and fussy items with no place in the modern world. That is, not because I doubt their masculinity

Sugar Free

listermint wrote: »

Never without a Suit.

With a suit Yes.

Agreed, I think they looks awful on their own as part of a more casual look. I could forgive it if it's part of a suit and the person has removed their jacket, as you would often see at a wedding.

I've personally seen it quite a bit with younger guys who are trying to stand out that little bit and wear their ill fitting waistcoat with their ill fitting suit, complete with clip on braces :eek:

To answer your question OP, I certainly don't see it as gay to wear a waistcoat that's not part of a suit. I would however see it as quintessentially unstylish.

vitani

As a woman, I love waistcoats on men when worn with a suit.

I'm probably influenced by both snooker players and Ianto Jones in Torchwood. I think he's a great example of someone who looks masculine while wearing them. Even when he was kissing other men.

Black Leather

I own two black leather waistcoats, one of which has a Celtic design on the back and the other is a laced up biker type one. I like wearing my waistcoats with black denim or leather jeans. One practical advantage about wearing a waistcoat is the extra pockets to put those odds and ends.

I regard the waistcoat as a timeless male fashion, but unfortunately, casual style waistcoats in leather or denim are very hard to find.