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The waistcoat is definitely now a men’s fashion essential. I have noticed over the last couple of years that tailoring and a more formal look is becoming more and more popular amongst males who are out on the town. Not all of them wear it right and some definitely get it wrong, but it seems like we are moving further and further away from just the jeans and t-shirt look on a night out.
Maybe this is to do with people trying to be more creative with their outfits, stand out in comparison to others, more male fashion readily available at a reduced price or just more information available now-a-days for fashion conscious males. I think Celebrity has played a big part in the take up of the trend with Justin Timberlake being a massive advocate of formal wear over the last few years.
I think the waistcoat is perfect for drinks out on the town. It screams style, confidence and even wealth/class. It can be dressed up or down, dependant on occasion: roll the sleeves of a long shirt up with a few buttons undone for a casual look or go the whole hog with cravat, blazer, fitted trousers and shoes. Either way you will definitely have people looking at you, because it is different to what everyone else is wearing. My style rule is to always look my best whenever possible – this includes going just that little bit further than the norm:
Night out? Most people will be wearing standard jeans and t-shirt, you wear dark jeans, nice shoes, crisp white shirt and waistcoat.
Formal event? Most wear a suit, you rock a made to measure tailored suit but use accessories to stand out. Try a bow tie instead of tie, or nice wristwatch and pocket scarf.
You see where I am going with the examples above? Obviously don’t go around completely over the top or you will look like a douche! Dress for the occasion, but then add a little flair (subtlety is the key) with nice accessories or just going that little bit smarter. You will instantly project confidence, style and a knowledge of fashion.
With that said, here are my favourite waistcoats for the season. Enjoy…
Mens Waistcoats
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nice posting. mens waistcoats gives new look to us, specially on dating.
I want to wear a waist coat on a night out, but i think grey or black trousers with black shoes is too formal… can you wear coloured shoes with matching belt? lol
Hi Han Man,
You can wear whatever you want on a night out, remember you can get casual relaxed trousers from a variety of retaillers that will work and you can also wear a nice grey waistcoat with a dark pair of slim jeans quite easily.
You can wear a coloured belt and shoes if you want as long as you are totally congruent. If you wear it with confidence, you will project this and come across as a stylish man who knows himself and his own style.
If you wear it and you are constantly thinking about your shoes/belt and how different they are then you will project this low confidence and basically people will pick up on it. Especially women, because they have a much better innate sense of emotions than we do.
So my advice for you (whatever you wear) is totally own your look. Know before hand exactly what you want to convay about your personality with each item you wear and go out with rock solid confidence. Don’t waver and even if you get looks or have jealous people commenting, stay strong and you will come across as a strong alpha male who has style. Nothing is more attractive to the opposite sex.
haha thnx for tht. I like the way you put things in the context of attracting women and coming across alpha male.
I’ve only recently become fashion conscious, i used to think only dousches concentrated hard on their image to make up for something their personality lacks maybe…
I know now that it’s really important but i still feel like ‘i shouldn’t be here’ when i’m in a shop trying things on i wouldn’t normally have considered… it’s kind of silly and i’m currently experimenting and developing an awesome look that i really like so i can take pride in my self.
A disadvantage for me though is that i’m 6″5! I don’t look strange at all other than the fact i’m really tall but it makes finding clothes that fit well (and are fashionable, i hate high n mighty n tall shops) extra difficult.
Nice posting, but now I’m wondering if a waistcoat is acceptable with a plain t shirt at casual gatherings or a night out? Thanks.
You can definitely wear a waistcoat at casual gatherings. With a plain v neck tee is perfect, along with the waistcoat buttons undone and maybe a less formal colour such as a light grey or brown.
hey
nice site. :)
I`m pretty skinny, 5.9 and I was thinking to buy a waistcoat. I want to wear it with some skinny dark-blue jeans and white or black trainers, but I`m not sure what`s the most appropriate colur…I was thinking that maybe dark grey, because black is kinda formal…
Some more stuff: how should the waiscoat be in order to wear it with graphical Tshirts? Can I wear it with dark-coloured Tshirts as well? What about nice skinny jeans that have some visible stiches on them?
My best regards,
Alex
Alex,
I think that your right on the money with the black being formal. I particularly like shades of greys for a less formal look, this image: http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/aug2008/2/3/8E0329D4-E119-395A-16F05D6ECA816A6F.jpg looks really good in my opinion (and thats a grey colour on david beckham with blue jeans). It shows it can work with loose fitting black trousers (like Efron is wearing), but these can also be substituted for black/dark blue jeans like you suggested.
You can wear the waistcoat with a graphical T-shirt but I think the look works much better by keeping it simple with a plain white/black v-neck tshirt or polo shirt to look slightly more formal. If your going to go down the graphic route, then keep it plain white with a subtle center graphic:
Example 1
Example 2
You can of course wear skinny jeans with visible stitching. I really like these as it adds flair to your normally ordinary jeans.
Hope this helps!
Ben
Thanks, Ben. :)
I found just a few waistcoats that I like, and all of them are dark grey, slimfitted and with white pinstripes on them.
Do you consider them ok, or I should look for some with a solid colour? hmmm…
Hi Ben,
Nice post.
I am going to a wedding and have spotted a waistcoat that is light blue with silk leaf patterning. Would this be ok to wear with a plain white shirt and black trousers or would be too ostenatious?
Thanks,
Paul
Wow only just spotted these comments, sorry guys.
Alex – I love grey waistcoats and small pin stripes are fine. Love the fact its a slim fit as I think these work very well. If you like it man and feel like you could pull it off with confidence then go for it. Keep everything else quite simple and you will be good to go. I’d advise a black wash jean if you were going to rock them with those.
Paul – without seeing the waistcoat I can’t really tell. But your attitude and confidence has a lot to do with how people interpret your fashion. If you are walking around feeling nervous about the item, forget it as sub consciously you will be giving off that “I hope I look ok” and low confidence vibe.
To your original question, I think as long as everything else you are wearing is quite basic formal wear like you described no-one will think you are pretentious or a try hard because it just added a little extra to a formal outfit. Now if you were rolling up in a blue suit with yellow shirt and the same waistcoat it would be a different story.
Don’t be afraid to step out your comfort zone with a few items, but just make sure you wear them with pride and it really does reflect your personality.
Otherwise like I say you will give off this low confidence vibe and women are especially good at picking up emotions and body language.
To further add to this comment Paul look at these two photos:
http://www.fashionbeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/picks1.jpg
http://www.fashionbeans.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/askmen.jpg
These on a whole are really “out there” outfits. You would not see these very often especially in somewhere as reserved as the UK. But if someone rolled up to a formal party you were at in the same outfits with the same confidence a model has in an Ad Campaign would you think of them as a try hard or just a COOL dude who really has great style.
I obviously would be the latter. You will get haters whatever you wear, it’s just the way of the world and normally these are people who are so insecure they have to belittle other people to make themselves feel better about their own boring look! Wear things with pride and rock solid confidence you will always come across well! Especially to the opposite sex and those that actually are stylish :)
I was just doing research on guys cloting for autumn, winter 2009, when I came across this site. It’s really awesome, and refreshing to see that guys also care about their appearance as much as us girls do. You were spot on there with confidence being sexy. So keep up the good work guys :) Oh by the way Ben, could you maybe give me a few tips on the layering of mens clothing? It would be really helpfull.
Hi Simi thanks for the comments and praise.
We are rolling into the new Autumn/Winter kind of time frame now and there will be plenty of articles on layers and how to put outfits together. Check the look books categories for some basic tips of what works well for now.
Layering is KEY for A/W so don’t worry we will have this covered! I can’t promise time lines but there will be plenty of stuff written to sink your teeth into.
hi, im attending a black tie ball and wearing a waiscoat with sress trousers. Can a dark grey/charcoal waistcoat be worn with black pin striped trousers?
On the 14th Dec I have my office Christmas Party. I have got a shirt which is blue and black with a skinny black tie. I was going to wear this with some jeans.
I am now thinking of being a bit smarter but I don’t want to wear a suit as it is not that formal. I read this article and thought wearing a waistcoat is a better option. I have seen a plain black one which looks nice but I am unsure what to wear it with.
Is it OK to wear it with jeans? If I wear jeans then what footwear should I use? Is it best to wear a tie also? Should I go sake and wear black trousers, white shirt, black tie and waist coat?
I just do not want to look like a complete wally! Any suggestions would help me.
Regards
Andy
Hello lads. This site is amazing. My problem is that I spend a lot on designer clothes and I am all into dark classy look, however when I go to nightclubs I feel way over dressed and too serious I want to experiment and look my age I am only 21 but I hate looking like a carbon copy u know how all guys are wearing those shirts from top man they all look sam. I feel confident in my lookbut feel that I am giving the impression of being serious and different
As its coming up to xmas i am looking for a good party look. i was thinking of shirt, tie, waistcoat and jeans. I have already bought a really nice light brown tweed waistcoat. What would be the best colour waistcoat, tie jeans shoes?
Hello,
Im wanting to wear a grey waistcoat with a smart black shirt and black jeans but would a brown belt and shoes go with the look?
I’ve been noticing like you said that waistcoats are becoming trendy and are being worn alot. I’m thinking about getting a black one right now for formal events that I plan to wear with a black, grey or blue pants. What color would you recommend for less formal events that can go with a pair of black, grey or blue jeans?
A colleague of mine shit me why I’m wearing a waistcoat without a doublet. I told you don’t know that it’s trendy to wear one as casuals or casual formals. Am I right?
I love waistcoats and have a tidy collection but i love the two tone brown one at the top of your post and must have it, but cant seem to locate it anywhere..?? can you help me find it or is it last seasons..??
many thanx…… the pongo
Grey flannel trousers, white shirt, black waistcoat… can’t go wrong!
Hi ben..
I have a wedding to go which in morning time. so is it OK to wear a black waistcoat with a black tie. with black jean. i just know whether is it ok ?
i have sifted through this and still am in need of help im going to a reunion the usual is a full on suit but i was feeling the whole waistcoat jeans shirt and tie set because afterwards we are all heading to town so should i wear dark jeans ,white shirt, black shoes grey waistcoat? i dunno and not to mention tie what do i do?
for a reunion i would begin by wearing a suit including a waistcoat and a tie. then for the more informal part simply lose the jacket and roll up your sleeves .Simple!
i went to a reunion this year and i didn’t see anybody wearing jeans so i would suggest smart trousers. if you add an untucked tailored shirt and waistcoat you will have an outfit that works for both parts of the event
Do you think it’s OK to wear a different colour (say black or grey) waistcoat to the suit? I have a grey suit and a blue suit but I want to wear a waistcoat with them to keep warm! They didn’t come with a waistcoat, but I’m thinking of buying a couple to wear with the suits. The grey of the suit will be different from the grey of the waistcoat for one; and obviously totally different from the blue suit. i think it could work but would be interested to know what you think.
I am attending a spring formal at my college for my dance company. I am going to wear a grey cotton waistcoat with matching pants, a light green shirt, and a pink or dark green tie. I was wondering can I put a handkerchief in the pocket of my waist coat? And if So what color?
i m wearing a waistcoat with white shirt and shaded black jeans…its for a farewell party……i don’t understand what type of shoes should i wear…..formals or converse?????a little help please….