Bringing Back the Vest - for Gentlemen

[TyGuy04]

I must quantify this post that I would not have an interest in the topic if my wife didn't want me wearing the things. But, a vest is still a fine article of clothing that seems to have far too much fallen out of fashion. Now I'm not talking about the shoot-me-first 5.11 cameraman vests, the look at me I ride a motorcycle leather vest, or the Marty McFly insulated vest of the 80s and early 90s; I'm talking about a vest for a gentleman that keeps you looking good when you take a suit jacket off or when added to any non-ratty pants makes you look just a little more civilized. On top of that, they are great for concealment, they cover the belt line in even the most formal of situations, letting to have faster weapon access, and making it easier to conceal a spare mag. The one downside I've found is that with vest for the more civilized crowd, your rear sight and cocking serrations can wear on the inside material. Some have suggested sewing in a piece of leather to protect the vest, but I'm not sure yet.
So who else is out there as part of the vest wearing crowd?

[BESEPUL]

I love three-piece suits. I usually carry OWB when wearing one, and I do have the liner of my jackets reinforced with suede leather. But yeah, I love the vest.

[JPourciau]

My most recent suit purchase is a three piece, for that very reason! I do not often have reason to wear it, but I'm glad I've got it.

[IANative]

I don't wear suits, but I do normally wear a fleece vest of some sort in the winter. Like you said, they are great for concealment, and allow faster access than an untucked shirt.

This /\ I have a couple of nice fleece vests from Columbia that pair very well w/ the REI/Eddie Bauer/Bass Pro/etc. HEAT attire, without screaming "shoot me first!"

[Shannon Hogan]

Well, I'll be adding a vest to my next suit. I was going to have the suit fitted for a shoulder rig. I'm waiting until I bulk up a bit more in the shoulders and loose anoth inch at the waist. Thanks TyGuy.

[Eldora]

I found a nice casual vest in Cody, Wyoming back in September that I wear a lot. Has a nice satin lining and it's well made. Wyoming Trader is the maker in case you want to look it up. Lately I've been carrying at 2 o'clock position OWB in a leather belt-slide. Said vest, a jacket or a sweater covers it very well now that my belly is (mostly) gone. :wink:

[BobM]

I have a couple wool vests from Filson that I've worn either with jeans or business casual clothing.


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[EDELWEISS]

Of course its all AO dependant but Im a huge believer in gentlemen dressing as Gentlemen. Im amazed at what passes for street clothes and please dont get me started on men wearing sandals.... Ive used a tweed vest to dress up clean/newer jeans and added a sport coat for a casual but dressier apearence.

Now if we could only bring back hats (fedoras NOT baseball) and walking sticks.

[Mr. Anthony]

Funny, like two days ago someone asked me for some general suit advice, and somehow our conversation ended up with me saying I wanted to start wearing vests when I'm in a suit. Got a rack full of suits and no dressy vests (have a few casual vests...Colorado). I do like that I could probably use my normal AIWB rig under a vest; usually I end up carrying IWB just behind the hip so the jacket covers it. Hmm...

[BillyOblivion]

Im amazed at what passes for street clothes and please dont get me started on men wearing sandals....

There's a difference between something like this (http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/josef-seibel-lionel-06-sandal-men/3392496?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=Brown%2F+Brown&resultback=5736) (not the best example, just the first I found) worn with a pair of soft cotton trousers and a linen shirt on a hot summer day in the south, and a pair of birkenstocks worn by who the f*k cares.

[jacob74]

Come on guys....... vests are so 70-90's ish! Sports jacket or a Fine 2 piece. Silk tie and Leather shoes.

[TyGuy04]

Correction. Vests are SO 20-30's ish i.e. classic and classy.

[David43515]

My great grandfather was a veteran of the civil war, and I'm told that he wore a small bowie knife under his vest for most of his adult life. My grandfather said that his father used to wear it inside the vest with the handle near his tie so that he could either reach it easily or tuck it out of sight when he removed his jacket.

[ChuteTheMall]

Vests were to conceal the suspenders that held your pants up, long ago before belts replaced both.

In cold weather, vests are great to warm the core without restricting the arms. And they add pockets.

If vests come back into style, suspenders are sure to follow. Spats? Nah....

[Maine1]

Love vests, and have several, carhart, wool, all sorts. very underrated by those that don't wear them.

[EDELWEISS]

If vests come back into style, suspenders are sure to follow.....

Nothing wrong with suspenders, especially when youre hanging a metric tonne of shite on your belt

[DaveJames]

Suspenders are "Blue Colar" "Braces" are for "gentlemen" as are "dress vest"

[H60DoorGunner]

I only own three suits(not counting my Army getup), but all are custom three piece.

My thing with vests, is that they look great, but are also optional. Don't want it that day? Don't wear it...that simple. They definitely add more style and charisma though. If you want to show up everyone in the room, show up in a custom well tailored three piece.