Sweater Vests and Knit Waistcoats Being More "Acceptable" Than Waistcoats
Been looking to spice up my shirt wardrobe when I came across sweater vests, knitted waistcoats, and even some workwear vests. I noticed through some of the comments of the images that they look more "acceptable" both in menswear circles and out in public.
The comments and mood change however when you start trying to wear a waistcoat on its own.
So I'm curious, how come waistcoats are "less accepted" but they basically function and somewhat fulfill the same role of a sweater vest or knitted waistcoat? Also, if you were to attempt wearing just the waistcoat alone, how would make it more "acceptable"?
3 Replies
A vest from a suit worn without the jacket is not a good look. The vest is very formal and is not meant to be worn on it's own. A sweater vest is made of more casual materials unlike a vest from a suit. These vests are knits and meant to be worn as outerwear, unlike a suit vest. I would avoid wearing a vest meant for a suit on it's own.
So even if you get a waistcoat made by some casual, textured fabric like herringbone linen, it's still the same case?
a waistcoat is meant to be worn with its matching suit jacket and pant and elements such as its length and contrasting back panel are made for that reason
most modern suit vests are without lapel, which suggests that one should wear it with a tie in which case you're already dressing formally enough to wear a suit jacket instead/as well
the ones with lapels are structured weirdly due to the extra button(s) and imo either read as 'suit jacket with the sleeves cut off' or 'half hearted attempted to elevate a casual outfit'