Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 125b

Waistcoat

1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Object Type
In the middle of the 19th century waistcoats were often colourful. They were made in a variety of fabrics, from checked and striped materials to delicate woven or embroidered patterns. The fabrics were often similar to those used for women's fashionable dresses.

Materials & Making
Tartans and checks with polychromatic effects were favoured in the late 1850s and early 1860s, but such bold patterns were not to everyone's taste. Photographs of the period show that many men preferred to wear a waistcoat made of similar materials to the coat or trousers. Some people wore 'dittos', where the suit was made of one material throughout.

Ownership & Use
Different styles of waistcoat were worn, according to the time of day and occasion. In the 1850s day waistcoats were often double-breasted, whereas those worn during the evening were single-breasted. They also tended to be made of more delicate materials, including satin and rich silks. A variety of special day waistcoats for sporting wear also came into fashion, including the 'Golf Vest', the 'Newmarket Vest', and the 'Tattershall Vest.'


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Woven silk and wool, lined with wool, and satin
Brief description
Plaid waistcoat of woven silk and wool, Great Britain, 1860-1870
Physical description
Plaid waistcoat of beige woven silk and wool, lined with striped wool. Satin back panel with buckle for size adjustment. Hand-sewn.
Dimensions
  • Length: 54cm
  • Width: 48cm
Dimensions checked: Measured; 13/05/1999 by LH
Gallery label
British Galleries: This striking, double-breasted waistcoat was meant to be seen. It would have been worn with an open frock or morning coat. Later, during the 1870s and 1880s, many coats were made to button up high on the chest. As a result the waistcoat was almost hidden and became much plainer.(27/03/2003)
Credit line
Given by the Earl and Countess of Avon
Object history
Worn by Sir William Eden
Made in Britain
Summary
Object Type
In the middle of the 19th century waistcoats were often colourful. They were made in a variety of fabrics, from checked and striped materials to delicate woven or embroidered patterns. The fabrics were often similar to those used for women's fashionable dresses.

Materials & Making
Tartans and checks with polychromatic effects were favoured in the late 1850s and early 1860s, but such bold patterns were not to everyone's taste. Photographs of the period show that many men preferred to wear a waistcoat made of similar materials to the coat or trousers. Some people wore 'dittos', where the suit was made of one material throughout.

Ownership & Use
Different styles of waistcoat were worn, according to the time of day and occasion. In the 1850s day waistcoats were often double-breasted, whereas those worn during the evening were single-breasted. They also tended to be made of more delicate materials, including satin and rich silks. A variety of special day waistcoats for sporting wear also came into fashion, including the 'Golf Vest', the 'Newmarket Vest', and the 'Tattershall Vest.'
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 no. 261
Collection
Accession number
T.722-1974

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Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
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