Waistcoat of woven silk velvet, Great Britain, ca. 1850<b>Object Type</b><br>In the middle of the 19th century waistcoats were often colourful. They were made in a variety of fabrics, from checked and striped materials to delicate woven or embroidered patterns. The fabrics were often similar to those on women's fashionable dresses.<br><br><b>Materials & Making</b><br>Tartan was very popular in the 1850s. Some garments copied authentic examples but others were fancy tartans that no one would recognise.<br><br><b>Ownership & Use</b><br>This waistcoat was probably worn in the winter, as it is made of a woven silk velvet: cashmere and silk satins were popular for summer wear. Different styles of waistcoat were worn according to the time of day and occasion. In the 1850s day waistcoats were often double-breasted, whereas those worn during the evening were single-breasted. They also tended to be made of more delicate materials, including satin and rich silks.Waistcoat of woven silk velvet with voided stripes overchecked in red and yellow and forming a tartan pattern. A blue ground is overchecked in blue, yellow, red and white. The waistcoat is waist length with a single-breasted five button fastening, rounded collar and horizontal welted pockets. The fronts are hollowed to the central peak. The back is made from black ribbed silk, and there is a stay band with two metal eyelets fastening with a black silk ribbon. Lined with brown sateen, but the points are faced with black silk matching the back.British Galleries:
Tartan waistcoats were popular for day wear in the 1850s. The bright colours would have contrasted with the dark cloth of the coat. But such bold patterns were not to everyone's taste. Many men preferred to wear a waistcoat made of similar materials to the coat or trousers. [27/03/2003]