Vest

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of 19th-century American fashion with this striking *Vest* from 1874, from luxurious silk and sturdy cotton. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume, this garment exemplifies the refined menswear of the post-Civil War era, the United States was embracing the opulence of the Gilded Age. Vests like this one were essential components of the three-piece suit, worn by gentlemen for both formal occasions and daily business, symbolizing social status and personal style. The combination of silk—prized for its sheen and smoothness—and cotton, valued for its breat...