Evening folks! Perhaps you could assist me with a waistcoat query.

[Maguire]

Well this is my first post here so i suppose i'll introduce myself-

I'm a college student and i guess i've got an old fashioned mindset, but I've always been a fan of the Gentleman's clothing of the good old days before people stopped caring about this. While indeed clothing isn't the most important thing, it says much for decency, respect and a bit of class when one is dressed neatly and clean cut.

I've always liked Fedoras and have several, along with plenty of old suits. I'll have a few questions to ask across the board and hopefully contribute as well, glad I'm not the only one who still appreciates the fine look of days gone by.

Anyway to get to business regarding suits, i own a double breasted black pinstripe suit (200 dollars, not the most expensive suit in the world but a fine suit nonetheless, and I'm not exactly willing to dole out more than that on any article of clothing) but unfortunately i was unable to get a waistcoat with it. I've been looking for one for nearly two or three years now with no luck. the only tailor i found willing to make one was going to charge me almost 300 dollars (which... considering the price of the whole suit was a bit absurd although i'm sure he would have done an excellent job).

Would anyone have any suggestions on where to get a black pinstripe vest that would best match a black pinstripe suit separately? The suit
is this one : http://www.mensusa.com/products.aspx?id=473

I've got some photos of it i'll post in due time but i'm hoping all the necessary information is right there on the site i purchased it.

thanks for any information you can give come up with!

 

[Bird's One View]

You are not likely to find an exact match. In future, don't buy a two piece suit if you want a three piece.

 

[Maguire]

You are not likely to find an exact match.

I'm not expecting an exact, naturally. But one that wouldn't look completely wrong. ie as long as the stripes are the same distance apart and about the same thickness i wouldn't complain.

 

[Slim Portly]

Welcome, friend. Paul Fredrick offers a nice selection of vests in the $70 range, including this one:

I'd suggest looking at their website and also searching vendors such as Amazon. You'll probably find a better selection of styles and prices that way.

You are not likely to find an exact match. In future, don't buy a two piece suit if you want a three piece.

I've had quite a good time hunting down either matching or complimentary vests for my two-piece suits. To each their own.

 

[CharlestonBows]

Composite Dressing...

To be honest, trying to do the matching thing will likely turn out badly. Typically, you need to get a vest to match when you get the suit. Even when buying the same fabric from the same mill, you will inevitably have variations. It typically just doesn't work.

My suggestion? Go for a solid vest, played back in the ground color of the suit fabric. It's composition dressing. Because you're working in a dark palette, it will maintain formality despite being an odd vest. I'm a big fan of this mode of dress; it allows me to wear waistcoats with two piece suits, so I get to wear them more often, and be more creative.

 

[Maguire]

To be honest, trying to do the matching thing will likely turn out badly. Typically, you need to get a vest to match when you get the suit. Even when buying the same fabric from the same mill, you will inevitably have variations. It typically just doesn't work.

My suggestion? Go for a solid vest, played back in the ground color of the suit fabric. It's composition dressing. Because you're working in a dark palette, it will maintain formality despite being an odd vest. I'm a big fan of this mode of dress; it allows me to wear waistcoats with two piece suits, so I get to wear them more often, and be more creative.

i know what you're saying and i have a black waistcoat too, but i would much prefer to have a matching waistcoat. but most suit places don't make double breasted suits anyway, and the ones that do always look at me funny and ask me why i'd want a waistcoat with it since its double breasted anyway.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

But as Charleston Bows and Bird's One View are trying to tell you - you're not going to find something that matches at this point. The only way to do that is buy it at the same time you buy the suit. You've asked the question, you've gotten the answers, both here and from looking all over for one for a few years, as well as the answer from menswear retailers you've spoken with - a waistcoat with a double-breasted jacket just isn't done. If you want to get a double-breasted suit with a matching waistcoat, you're going to have to go custom-tailored. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't mean your question hasn't been answered.

 

[Maguire]

But as Charleston Bows and Bird's One View are trying to tell you - you're not going to find something that matches at this point. The only way to do that is buy it at the same time you buy the suit. You've asked the question, you've gotten the answers, both here and from looking all over for one for a few years, as well as the answer from menswear retailers you've spoken with - a waistcoat with a double-breasted jacket just isn't done. If you want to get a double-breasted suit with a matching waistcoat, you're going to have to go custom-tailored. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't mean your question hasn't been answered.

No need for an attitude. I did not claim my question wasn't answered and i appreciate the answers i was given. What exactly is your problem?

 

[Slim Portly]

As I said I've had some success tracking down matching vests. I do some searching, buy something that looks right, if it works out then great, and if not I return it and keep searching. Look at the two links that I gave you as a start if you haven't already. Have fun, good luck, and forget about the rules of what not to wear. Rules should be learned only well enough to know how to properly break them.

 

[Maguire]

As I said I've had some success tracking down matching vests. I do some searching, buy something that looks right, if it works out then great, and if not I return it and keep searching. Look at the two links that I gave you as a start if you haven't already. Have fun, good luck, and forget about the rules of what not to wear. Rules should be learned only well enough to know how to properly break them.

aye, tomorrow i'll be emailing them about swatches to see if it matches up. hopefully it will!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

No attitude at all, my friend. You asked a question. You've gotten the answer and advice, but you choose to ignore them.

 

[Maguire]

No attitude at all, my friend. You asked a question. You've gotten the answer and advice, but you choose to ignore them.

Not at all, as you'd see if you read the entire thread. I responded to a suggestion regarding use of a solid waistcoat. I've only responded twice here, and both times it was in response to what the poster above me said. But then again, i'm not going to debate this further.

 

[Edward]

I often wear a waistcoat with a two-piece suit, though I favour something complementary but non-matching for reasons stated above. Again, for reasons stated above, it is difficult to find something that will match, though it can be done with patience. If something matching is your aim, I would hang on until you find something that is exact - don't be tempted by something that is almost there but not quite as it will likely stick out much more than a completely contrasting waistcoat.

Buying a three peice to begin with is always the best, but as you have no doubt discovered, on a budget the waistcoat is the first thing to go - easy way of keeping the overall cost down for the manufacturer. Actually, at a tight budget level, you're probably getting better pieces by buying a two piece, IMO, as they'd have to cut corners elsewhere (quality of fabric etc) to bring a three peice in at the same price.