The waistcoat story
The main element of the men's suit is the waistcoat that is not only the decoration of the suit it is also the part of the individual style. It is able to turn your traditional suit into the perfect style.
The waistcoat was born in the beginning of 17th century during the severe years of the war. At that time it had the long sleeves and enough long skirt. It was usually the element of clothes that was put under the jacket and was made from the same fabric. At home it was used as the gown. And only in the 18th century it got the look of the modern waistcoat and it became shorter and it lost the sleeves. It lost the functionality and turned into the decoration.
The precious textile, embroidery, the buttons made of the gold and precious stones, the pockets, chains, watch, etc. were only a few details added to the waistcoat.
And in the beginning of the 1840s tailors started to add the level of the wadding to make the breast look bigger making the body more beautiful.
The wardrobe of the gentleman always had several waistcoats that were of different colours and the white one obligatory. There were even times when the men had to put two waistcoats simultaneously and there were times when it was prohibited to wear the waistcoat.
During the last years of 19th century the waistcoat was sometimes substituted by the black kerchief put on the waist. Sometimes this kerchief also had the buttons and pockets. In fact it looked like the short waistcoat.