From Christmas through Valentines Day, Easter, Mardi Gras, and let’s not forget the wedding day, this is a busy time of year for men’s handmade tuxedo vests. Ours are made of the finest silks and brocades with matching bow ties. See the gent in our slide show on the home page wearing our new Burgundy Paisley tuxedo vest.
When did men first start wearing tuxedo vests?
Men wore very long fancy robes and coats throughout the Middle Ages. During the latter part of the Renaissance, coats got shorter and stockings got longer, and fitted tights began to appear. Men wore a shirt, a padded doublet, and a waistcoat on top. The waistcoat turned into today’s vest. In the 1600′s, a longer coat and high boots became fashionable. The weather was cold, heating was primitive, and “layering” was essential
Clothing was made by hand up until the 1800′s when two men changed the whole industry. Elias Howe invented the sewing machine and Isaac Singer developed and improved it. Manufacturers began to make ready-to-wear clothing; however, many men preferred to have tailors make their garments, and women still sewed their own. Men’s styles in the 1800′s became plain, and trousers took the place of tight breeches. The tail coat evolved into knee length, which then became the frock coat, which finally became the “sack coat”. The tuxedo (with the old tails) stayed in style, but was reserved for formal occasions. With the advent of mass production styles have changed drastically, but the old tuxedo is still with us.
What makes a tuxedo vest so special? What gives it that sharp, dressy look?
It’s the styling and the fabric. Some vests take their cue from the coat and tails or fancy lapels, but the quality generally lies in the fabric and color. Most tuxedo vests are in black or navy blue, but sometimes the color is picked to match the occasion. Most men choose a color suitable for the occasion, and have a “look” in mind. The fabrics are ususally brocades, silks, or a polyester blend.
BROCADE: We love brocade because it has a glowing look and the pattern catches the eye. It is a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics often made in colored silks with or without gold or silver threads. The name of the style is related to the root word for broccoli, which comes from the Italian noun broccato, meaning embossed cloth. The Italian verb brocarre means “to stud with with nails”, which was their way of describing what had happened to a head of broccoli!
Brocade is typically woven on a special loom where the cross-wise (weft) threads are held together in the process so that it looks like the design is being embroidered on, or elevated from, the surface of the cloth. Ornamental features are emphasized in addition to the main fabric. Sometimes if you turn the fabric over you can see the loose weft threads in the back. This design can be made in cotton, wool silk. or polyester blends.
The picture above is from our men’s tuxedo vests. Notice the slide show on the home page of our site and see the suave gent holding the wine glass who is wearing a striking burgundy and gold brocade vest. Have a look at our whole selection — and don’t forget a matching bow tie!