Man's Waistcoat
Subject
Clothing and Dress
Title
Man's Waistcoat
Date
1917
Format
L: 25 inches (neck to point at waist) (63.5 cm)
W: 17. 25 inches (front at waist); 20" (back at waist) (43.8 cm)
W: 17. 25 inches (front at waist); 20" (back at waist) (43.8 cm)
Description
This vest was owned by Mr. Charles Bacon (1887-1953). The front of the vest is a cotton dobby weave, featuring a tan, medium gray and light gray design. It has four shiny shank buttons and two welt pockets. The shawl collar does not extend around to the back of the neck, making it easier to wear under a suit jacket. The back of the vest is a dark brown fabric and lined with light gray fabric. The back features two gores at the waist along with a buckle, allowing the wearer to adjust the size as needed. The vest is machine sewn.
According to the accession records, the vest has never been worn. When this item was donated to the collection, it still had a tailor's slip in the left pocket from tailor George E. Hebbard. The slip tells us the order was placed in January 1917 and Mr. Bacon had requested a single-breasted vest, with a round style collar, and single edge stitching ready by Saturday. This slip provides us with insight on the shopping experience during the early 20th century. Rather than walking into a store or ordering online, one option for men at this time was to go to a tailor and have an item custom made. A similar vest can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It is an evening vest donated by Miss Alice Baldwin Beer in 1939. The vest is dated 1910-16 and has similar features to Mr. Bacon’s vest.
References
Evening Vest. Metmuseum.org. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/80013910?rpp=20&pg=6&ft=Vest&pos=111
According to the accession records, the vest has never been worn. When this item was donated to the collection, it still had a tailor's slip in the left pocket from tailor George E. Hebbard. The slip tells us the order was placed in January 1917 and Mr. Bacon had requested a single-breasted vest, with a round style collar, and single edge stitching ready by Saturday. This slip provides us with insight on the shopping experience during the early 20th century. Rather than walking into a store or ordering online, one option for men at this time was to go to a tailor and have an item custom made. A similar vest can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. It is an evening vest donated by Miss Alice Baldwin Beer in 1939. The vest is dated 1910-16 and has similar features to Mr. Bacon’s vest.
References
Evening Vest. Metmuseum.org. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/80013910?rpp=20&pg=6&ft=Vest&pos=111
Source
Donor: Mary Jane Bacon and her mother Hazel Dallimore Bacon (Mrs. Charles Bacon) of Bridgeport, CT.
Identifier
URI 1954.18.14
Contributor
Julia Medina
Creator
George E. Hebberd, tailor.
Collection
Citation
George E. Hebberd, tailor., “Man's Waistcoat,” Historic Textile and Costume Collection, accessed April 26, 2024, https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/551.