Waistcoat

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of 18-century European fashion with this silk waistcoat from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.ed by an unknown artist during an era of lavish menswear, this garment was a cornerstone of the gentleman's wardrobe, forming the stylish core of the three-piece suit a coat and breeches. luxurious silk fabric—prized for its sheen, durability, and dyeability—speaks to the wearer's elite status, as silk was imported from Asia or woven in European hubs like Lyon, France, symbolizing wealth amid growing global trade. Waistcoats like this one embodied the per...