8.1-9.1 Geneaology of a Garment

Prada sweater-vest.

Marni vest

Gap winter vest

A Butterick pattern from the 1950s for men's vests.

Current women's vest trends from various designers.

A man with his wife in a vest in the 1860s.

Two outlaws in vests circa 1880s

A vintage silk vest from the 1920s.

Vintage men's vests

According to the diary of civil servant Samuel Pepys, King Charles II introduced the vest in 1666 through the Royal Proclamation. The vest was a simple straight-cut garment based on a style that was brought back to England. Initially the vest was simple but at the turn of the 18th century, the vest (or waistcoat) as if was called became more luxurious. Vests were crafted with precision and used some of the finest fabrics including wool, silk, and even leather. Prior to the 20th century, vest were wore mostly by men and boys. By the late 20th century, vests became a part of the suit and were more popular. In the 1950s boys began to wear vests without a jacket. Well into the 21st century, vests remain an integral part of the suit.