Towards the year 1800, the length of the men’s waistcoat began to creep upwards from the thighs and up to the waist. At the front, the waistcoat should end in a point, and the décor on the fabric should be large and colourful.
This men’s vest is a good example of men’s fashion around the year 1800. It is made of large-patterned silk damask and glossy linen canvas. The entire vest, including the buttons, is sewn by hand. The first sewing machines did not appear until the middle of the century. In the back, there are several sewn-in ribbons that the owner could tie together in the back for a perfect fit.
Under the vest, the owner would probably have worn a white shirt, and perhaps a cravat or a scarf around the neck with a decorative pin in it.
We don’t know who has worn this beautiful vest, but we are very proud to have it in our collection.
Imagine how stylish he must have been, the gentleman in the purple silk waistcoat!
The vest is part of the collection of Melbo Manor