Waistcoat

Art Historical Context

Step into the elegant world of 1840s American fashion with this wool waistcoat, a finely crafted garment from the Costume Institute at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dating to around 1840 and attributed to an unknown artist, this piece exemplifies everyday menswear of the era, gifted by The New York Historical Society in1979. Waistcoats like this were essential components of a gentleman's suit, often layered beneath a tailcoat and worn for both formal occasions and daily life, reflecting the structured silhouettes of the period. Wool, the primary medium here, was prized for its durability, w...