Art Institute of Chicago

Man's Waistcoat

Possibly Lyon, France

Date

Embroidered 1780s; altered 1795–1805

Medium

Front: Silk, satin-weave foundation, embroidered with silk thread in satin, steam and buttonhole stitches and French knots; embroidered fabric covered buttons; silk, twill weave lining; back: linen, plain weave

Culture

France

Department

Textiles

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

European men wore waistcoats, or vests, with jackets and knee breeches. Fashion dictated that the design and color of the waistcoat fabric should contrast with the matching suit. Colorful floral sprigs, bouquets, and leafy vines produce a lively yet elegant pattern. The buttons on this waistcoat are covered with small circles embroidered to match the pattern of the garment’s textile. The back is a plain, inexpensive linen fabric, as it would not be seen when worn under a jacket. The waistcoat has been shortened from its original shape, an example of reuse that attests to the textile's value.

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