For men we have a khaki  and a brown twill as well as a cream linen that will  coordinate with just about any pair of slacks in your wardrobe.  For evening we even have a black twill!

The sky is the limit for the ladies!  We have a range of colors from lavender and pink to blues and blacks and even orange—- in fact we have a selection of over 35 different women’s cotton vests from which to choose.  All are of the highest quality designer cottons with expert tailoring to help you look your best at work or play.

The best is yet to come!   By May 1st we’ll be adding 50 new women’s and men’s vests, featuring new fabrics and styles.

We are also adding seven new loose-fitting men’s vests that are *sooo*  comfortable.   Stay tuned!

Creating and adding an inset pocket is a very complicated and tedious task, but it adds dash and utility to any vest:

As a result, I charge $5 extra for each pocket.  No one has ever complained,  but I’m sure folks have wondered why I’m the only person who charges extra for pockets.  Try making one! Adding pockets is an option located just below the size selection in the shopping section of the website.

As it turns out, women request pockets more than men! They have even contacted me to order extra large pockets, to hold cell phones, iPads, pens, glasses, credit cards and all sorts of things.  It is true, however, that men still often use vest pockets to carry pocket watches.

I did a little research and found out that the development of pocket watches played a significant role in the development of vest pockets. After the clock was invented, watches (portable clocks) began to be used in the 1500′s by town watchmen in Europe as they made their rounds at night. Since they were valuable, the watches were first attached to straps worn around their necks, and as the watches were miniaturized they began to get tucked into snug pockets for extra safety. Train conductors began to carry pocket-watches to reassure passengers that the train was on time. These smaller watches were almost always carried securely in a vest pocket, and men everywhere adopted the fashion. Women began to carry tiny watches, usually carried in a purse or as a brooch or pendant. In 1908, Colt made a compact hammerless pistol that was designed to be concealed in a man’s vest pocket.

Vest pockets are part of modern history.  Some people order one, two,  three or even four!  We offer pockets on any vest on the website!

QUALITY is a vague term we hear often but let’s break it down to concrete concepts when we talk about vests

• Quality FABRIC – A quality fabric is one that stands the test of time.  It will look as good five years from now that it does the day you bought it.  It should have a tight weave and hold a press, feel good to the touch,  and the print or weave should be pleasing to the eye.

   

• Quality TAILORING – The garment should look as good on the inside as the outside.  Stitching and seams should be straight, even , smooth and  shouldn’t pull apart after repeated use. Button hole stitching is tight and even. Buttons stay on after repeated use.

   

• MATCHING OF FABRIC PATTERNS -   Stripes, patterns and plaids should line up across the front.

   

• Quality FIT Garment should be appropriate in length and be not too tight or too loose. This is a subjective issue known only to the wearer; however, we offer a specialized service that customizes your vest so that it fits YOU.

   

• HARMONY OF THE TOTAL GARMENT-   The lining and back should match the front.  Too often a standard inexpensive black acetate is placed on the black (since it supposedly won’t clash with any color).  However, it often ends up detracting from the total garment.   Appropriate buttons should be chosen for the front.  Formal wear buttons are different than those for casual wear and most importantly the buttons should add to the beauty of the garment  –not detract from it. 

WE SPECIALIZE IN HAVING THE PARTS OF THE WHOLE GARMENT LOOK LIKE THEY BELONG TOGETHER. 

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!  

Our best seller for two years running is our luscious soft faux mink with deep pockets where you can nestle your chilly hands on cold winter days!

Our versatile tan wool flannel and our taupe and pink woven textured wool vest are perfect for daytime wear.

In the evening try our flattering longer 100% soft black wool flannel that  has four gorgeous shiny big black buttons where the front is attached with hidden clasps.  This vest is also available with a  V neck.

Stay warm and lovely in our large selection of  women’s wool vests!

Why does wool keep us warm?

Wool’s warmth comes from a high concentration of special fibers. The fleece of sheep is made up of cylindrical fibers that have overlapping scales on the surface, like shingles on a roof . These fibers have a natural waviness that work together with the scales to give it extra bulk that traps air pockets, acting as an insulator. Thus, warmth!

To our collection of 61 wool vests, this year we have added several Herringbones, Wool Pinstripes, a new tan Tweed.  We are spotlighting four new authentic Scotch Plaids imported from Scotland representing the clans Ramsay, Robertson, Thompson Camel and to top it off the world-renowned “BLACK WATCH”.

Thompson Camel

BLACK WATCH

Clan Robertson.

Our most popular plaid vest over the past two years has been this Red and Black Scotch Plaid. We sold out and had to rush order another shipment just in time for Christmas.

Clan Ramsay

In addition to these four Scotch plaids we found another soft brown and blue 100 % wool plaid from Pendleton, Oregon.

Blue Brown Pendleton

Check out our men’s wool vests and share the warmth!

It takes a while for us to make YOUR customized vest so get  your order in now!

For men we also have some authentic red, green and black plaids imported from the Highlands of Scotland (including the famous Black Watch).

Here are just a few!

ARE YOU A SUMMER?

The summer woman has rosy, delicate skin tones, ranging from very pale to a deeper rose-beige.  She can usually trace her lineage to northern Europe, the British Isles, Scandinavian countries or the Netherlands  Her hair gleams from ash blonde to brown, gray brown or even black.  Eyes shine clear blue, violet or hazel and she identifies with the pastels of June and the soft colors of sea and sky.

Note: As we progress through the seasons keep in mind that you may not be a pure “Spring” or “Summer” but a gentle mix of the two.  Nothing in nature is that simple.  These are only helpful suggestions that have worked for others that you might try.

About 20 years ago some bright person developed a concrete way to find out which colors look best on YOU. Don’t ask me who figured it out, but it works.  Colors were categorized into the seasons of the year and, we were categorized into Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter People.  The colors that work with a certain hair, complexion, and eye color were grouped and associated with the seasons of the year. The colors for each season are roughly comparable to the colors we typically see at that time of year.

Here’s how you determine which season you are– and it’s almost like magic.  Have a friend help you if you are brave or need input.  Gather up a bunch of scarves, or large pieces of cloths of all colors.  Sit down in front of a dresser mirror with only a bra on (or neutral blouse) so no other colors can distract you.   Take the scarves, one at a time and drape them around your neck.  Some will look terrific: they will light up your eyes, complexion and hair.  Those are the key signs you look for.  Other colors will look terrible; toss them to the floor. Eventually you will find that a certain variety of colors look best on you. This palette will correspond to a certain season.

Lets go over some examples. I’ll start with Spring, because that is my season. Later blogs will cover the other seasons.

In the picture below you can see eye color, hair, and skin color of a typical Spring person.  The swatches around her face are the colors that look well on her.

A Spring person has gold skin tones, but this may vary from pale ivory to medium beige:

A Spring person ‘s hair varies from flaxen blonde, golden honey, strawberry blonde, to medium brown.  Eyes may be sparkling blue, blue-green, aqua, brown or gray brown.  The spring palette blossoms with clear delicate colors. Delicate — not vivid, is the key to flatter the Spring person. Off white or cream are great foundations to show off these delicate colors.

I keep these colors in mind whenever I shop so I rarely have to return  blouses, vests,  and sweaters when I get home. Not only does this save time and effort, it saves money: If it doesn’t look good on you, then you will never wear it. It takes up space in your closet until you throw it out. This technique was so valuable to me that when I first learned about this, I began to carry swatches in my purse. It works!

Watch my upcoming blogs for Summer, Fall, and Winter.

On to more positive thoughts…  in our last few blogs we’ve been thinking about how we can use the figures God gave us to the greatest advantage.  Thinking about  your own figure and how you fit into the various body types, do you think you have a problem in the waist area?  Don’t despair!

There are ways to draw the eye from or camouflage this area:

• Emphasize the top half of your silhouette .

• Draw attention to your shoulders with collars,  jewelry around your neck or attractive earrings.

• Attractive necklines.  Generally, go for the “V”  .  It’s the most flattering and  points  toward one of your greatest assets!   It’s especially flattering if it ends in a line of  buttons going down the front. (Love th0se vertical lines!)

CAMOUFLAGE YOUR WAIST WITH A VEST!

Choose a vest that comes down over your waist gracefully and covers it. A few years back Coco Chanel invented a look that was a real gift to those of us with wide waists.  Let’s take another look, because she was a genius.

These three pictures are all the SAME VEST!   You may have any fabric on the site made up in  the pattern of the tan suede vest!      No more waist problems.

ANOTHER SOLUTION!

If you want a more fitted look, stick with our three button standard vest and wear it unbuttoned and loose to cover your waist.

Bottom line:   Stay loose and emphasize the long lines.