Waistcoat thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Waistcoat

c.1956 (made), 1956 (purchased)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Kilgour, French & Stanbury. The company was founded in 1880 as T.& F. French; and in 1923, merged with A.H. Kilgour in 1923. In 1925, Fred and Louis Stanbury joined the company, and are credited with introducing the exceptionally smart cut that became the house’s trademark. The Hollywood actor and dancer Fred Astaire owed much of his renowned elegance to the firm, most famously wearing their evening suits in Top Hat (1935). In 1937, the firm became known as Kilgour, French & Stanbury, under which name it lasted until becoming simply Kilgour in 2003. They were one of the last firms to retain the one tailor, one garment system.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cotton pique, weaving
Brief description
Waistcoat, backless white cotton pique, Kilgour, French & Stanbury, London, c.1956
Physical description
Backless waistcoat, white cotton pique. The front has a long straight lapel and the garment fastens with 3 buttons, there is a pocket either side. The waistcoat is fastened with a buckled strap at the back. The collar and staps are a white striped fabric, possibly cotton and silk mix.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.8in (Note: Shoulder seam to bottom tip.)
  • Width: 14in (Note: At widest point. )
Credit line
Given by Mr Maurice Bennett
Summary
Kilgour, French & Stanbury. The company was founded in 1880 as T.& F. French; and in 1923, merged with A.H. Kilgour in 1923. In 1925, Fred and Louis Stanbury joined the company, and are credited with introducing the exceptionally smart cut that became the house’s trademark. The Hollywood actor and dancer Fred Astaire owed much of his renowned elegance to the firm, most famously wearing their evening suits in Top Hat (1935). In 1937, the firm became known as Kilgour, French & Stanbury, under which name it lasted until becoming simply Kilgour in 2003. They were one of the last firms to retain the one tailor, one garment system.
Collection
Accession number
T.45-2019

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Record createdAugust 15, 2019
Record URL
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