2/3 of a 3 piece....what to do???

[Staredge]

I recently purchased this waistcoat & jacket off of ebay. For $12, I figured I'd take a chance. It's a Bill Blass Premier in charcoal. This pic shows the most accurate color.

I looked into it a bit before I bid, but didn't realize until after the auction was over that the BBP line had been shut down. I haven't looked yet, but I'm wondering how hard it may be to find a pair of trousers to match. In the event that I can't, any suggestions? I love the look, although the waistcoat makes me look really old. lol I've put a couple of pics up to show the fabric. It is 100% wool. What could I wear with it as an odd jacket?

Hope no one minds that it isn't a vintage question. This is the only style forum I belong to.

 

[thunderw21]

Pair with lighter (or even darker or patterned) trousers for the contrasted look.

Don't try to match trousers, it'll look all off. You'll never find a pair that matches 100%.

 

[Orgetorix]

From Alan Flusser's Dressing the Man:

 

[Staredge]

Interesting thought.....I could try to find a pair of trousers to match my AE spectators. (Bourbon/bone) So basically....treat it as a sportcoat? I'm still hoping to find a pair of BBPs to match....will be keeping my eye on ebay. Possibly go with black trousers? I have a pair of wool ones that I also got off of ebay.

I have the Flusser. Glanced at that chapter....will have to read it a bit closer.



***Edit to add****

Something like this???

 

[Phineas Lamour]

I have a similar problem. I bought pants and a vest but with no jacket. I doubt I will find a match as it is 70 or 80 years old.

 

[thunderw21]

I have a similar problem. I bought pants and a vest but with no jacket. I doubt I will find a match as it is 70 or 80 years old.

Check out the guy on the right.
http://www.shorpy.com/node/7621?size=_original

 

[dnjan]

Check out the guy on the right.
http://www.shorpy.com/node/7621?size=_original

... and they all have the bottom waistcoat button buttoned.
Interesting.

 

[Son_of_Atropos]

When you have an odd vest what color should the vest complement? I've seen dark gray suits with a light gray vest but that is it.

Staredge, looks good with the lighter color trouser.

 

[1930_Italian]

I wear the "odd" look quite often - normally I will wear a standard 2pc suit, and then my waistcoat would be the same color, but a different shade. On occasion, I will wear a grey suit with a black waistcoat, or vice versa.

 

[Bird's One View]

Wear it with striped or checked black / white / gray trousers. Don't try to match.

 

[Splenahan]

... and they all have the bottom waistcoat button buttoned.
Interesting.

this was 1907. The practice of leaving the bottom button undone originates with HRH Edward VII, who was still reigning at this time (reign was 1901-1910). The practice first took off with the English aristocracy, and tailors followed suit with jackets and waistcoats whose drape would appear correct when the bottom button was left undone. Based on the age of these men, it is possible that their outfits predate this practice (i.e. made before Edward's example), their tailors, wives or the manufacturer of their clothes had yet to switch, or they simply didn't care.

as for the original problem 2/3 of a 3 piece, the waist coat and jacket could be used as odd waist coats or jackets respectively, or with complementary trousers.

 

[Fletch]

Some tailors used to advertise "pants made to match." This was back when there weren't quite such a variety of fabrics, and guys used to drop smoking materials in their laps and burn holes in - or just fade out the dyes by resting their hands on their knees.

Today's menswear industry is smart enough to have most fabrics made proprietarily, so it's impossible to copy their product. This means it's also impossible to find matching fabrics, except for the most traditional types. Once they're gone - they're gone.