Waistcoat facts for kids
A waistcoat (also known as a vest in the United States) is a piece of clothing for your upper body that does not have sleeves. It is usually worn over a dress shirt and a necktie. People wear it under a coat or jacket, especially as part of men's formal wear. It is often the third main part of a three-piece suit.
The History of Waistcoats
The waistcoat has a long and interesting history. It first became popular in England during the time of King Charles II. The idea for this type of clothing came from Persian vests. English visitors saw these vests when they visited the court of Shah Abbas in Persia and brought the style back home.
Why Wear a Waistcoat?
Wearing a waistcoat has a special advantage. If you take off your jacket when you are inside, your outfit still looks neat and formal. This is why waistcoats are often chosen for important events or business settings. They help you stay looking smart and put-together.
Images for kids
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A young man wearing a modern waistcoat.
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A woman in a modern denim waistcoat.
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A man wearing a waistcoat without a shirt.
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A man's sleeved waistcoat made of silk, from 1747.
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An American or European silk vest from 1780-1795.
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An American or European silk vest from 1795-1800.
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An American or European silk vest from 1800-1815.
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An American or European vest from 1823.
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An American or European vest from 1830-1849.
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An American evening vest made of silk, cotton, leather, wool, and glass, from 1838.
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An American or European vest from 1840.
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A European silk vest from 1850.
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An American cotton vest from the mid-19th Century.
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An American linen and wool vest from the mid-19th Century.
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An American or European vest from 1850-1889.
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An American silk vest from around 1870.
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A European leather and wool vest from 1880.
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An American or European vest from 1885-1890.
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An American silk vest from 1892.
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A three-piece suit worn by Al Capone in 1930.
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A "cut-off" biker vest.
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A sweater vest with an argyle pattern.
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A fisherman's vest.
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A French waistcoat made of cotton, from around 1760, at the LACMA.
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A Child's Beaded Waistcoat, made by the Sioux (Native American people), from the late 19th or early 20th century, at the Brooklyn Museum.
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Guitarist Ruthie Morris of Magnapop wearing a leopard print vest on stage.
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Joakim Brodén of Sabaton is known for wearing a special vest with metal plates when he performs with his band.
See also
In Spanish: Chaleco para niños
