Tasso Elba Corduroy Vest – $44.99 ($59)
And since this is a Macy’s product, it can usually be had for less if you wait for an extra 15% or 20% off code. Check in store if you have a Macy’s close to you. Found this one on a half-off rack for $30.
Even though wearing a waistcoat provides many of the same advantages as wearing a sportcoat (wrangles in your shirt & cleans up your lines, provides an extra layer, etc…) many guys refuse to wear them. Most don’t fit well, cost an arm and a leg despite not having sleeves, and there’s a costumey look about many of them (think newsy/ringer-bearer). But this one from the Macy’s house brand Tasso Elba seems to avoid all those points of contention.
Like a blazer, a vest can keep untailored shirts, like this one from Target, from spilling over your sides.
It’s made from a relatively fine wale corduroy and it fits surprisingly well for Tasso Elba. Usually stuff from that brand is pretty traditional in fit. No, it doesn’t dart in at the sides or anything, but a medium on an average guy’s frame won’t leave him looking like barrel man either. Tighten up the corduroy strap in the back and you can get a more fitted look.
5-button front, two button-flap pockets, and some slim lapels up top are all nice details. The back panel is the usual poly, but it’s not iridescent and blends in decently well.
If there was ever a gateway-waistcoat, this is it. Would you? Or can you just not bring yourself to wear a vest? Leave it in the comments. Arm-garters and handlebar mustaches are not required if you happen to be pro-waistcoat.
I can’t go for a waistcoat by itself unless the back fabric matches the front. It just looks like you’re wearing the vest from a three piece without the jacket.
I love waistcoats. I would totally wear this one here.
I actually think they rarely look costumey, except for this one. Too saloon-keeper for my taste
Not black and definitely not with jeans (looks like you’re trying too hard with jeans), but I would totally rock this one with gray trousers or maybe a gray one with navy trousers.
As a bigger guy, vests aren’t always the most figure-flattering for me. But, I’d certainly at least try this one on.
not in love with the lapels, and actually, i don’t really like black corduroy at all either, but i’m a big fan of the casual/hunting material waistcoats without a sport coat look!
Eh, still looks like it belongs in Gangs of New York.
Waistcoats in general? You bet. This one? No. Not a big fan of the lapels or corduroy.
The feel of corduroy, and velvet for that matter, gives me the heebie jeebies for some reason. So this would be a no go. I keep telling myself I’ll get a pair of cords for fall/winter, but never seems to happen.
By the way, what kind of shoes would you wear with this?
Midnight blue suede loafers.
While the jury is out on the vest, I’m awarding full marks for the “vest curious” line. Nicely played.
Nope… but I’m not a vest guy.
took the words right out of my mouth… not to mention the lapels are less than appealing.
Wore my black LEC Crosby moc toe boots with this.
This.
I love waistcoats but not the ones with lapels. They remind me of sweater vests. Lol
Pretty nice. I’d get one in navy and one in burgundy, please
Weep for yourself, my man, you’ll never be what is in your heart…
I agree, I like the lapels and the change in texture the corduroy provides, but I feel like the back needs to either match or have some pattern.
Too much Wyatt Earp in that Tasso Elba.
I saw a bloke in Boston wearing a waistcoat, with a white t-short underneath, denim shorts, and a flat cap. What a plonker. Done right they can look class, but so many people get them hideously wrong.
I actually own this and I love it. I usually wear it with black slacks or grey alpha khakis and black wingtips. I have had comments along the line of me looking like a Vegas dealer, especially if I wear it with a white shirt or a distinct contrasting shirt. Dark jeans also look nice. I tend to wear it with a dark undershirt and a tie for work. I love the look and with wingtips it has a great vibe. I think the corduroy is different enough that it stands out, yet subtle enough to pull off in a business office. I have seen waistcoats around and I think they have a very distinctive look. After reading the comments, I’m surprised how many people don’t like the look. If you a waistcoat wearer, check this one out, you will love it!
Never been a fan of just wearing a waistcoat.
Yes. I have a few waistcoats, but none with lapels. Not a huge fan of the poly back but I can live with it.
Style question: Where are vests supposed to fit on the tail end? As a man with a long torso when I try any vest, it falls short above my waistline, showing about an inch of shirt above my belt. In pictures I tend to usually see the vest ending right about on the beltline. Is there a style rule to follow here?
No.
I’ve grown to accept, and now love, the solo vest. I try to steer away from large lapels, but on this one I’d go with it due to the dark cords.
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!
I can’t go for anything that doesn’t come in at the waist. When you have a 41 inch chest and 31 inch waist, stuff cut like this just looks silly.
It only works of you’re actually the lead singer of Mumford and Sons. Otherwise, you look like you’re trying to be Marcus Mumford.
Had to google it. I’m stunningly out of the Mumford & Sons loop.
No one can ever convince me this is not Tim Tebow:
It’s nice to get a curveball comment once in a while, methinks.
TL;DG: http://hipsterintervention.tumblr.com/post/3340619927/im-convinced-marcus-mumfords-vest-is-part-of-a
That’s not a bad thing.
Not this one, but I’m generally a fan of waistcoats. Fall through early spring they serve the same purpose under a sportcoat/sports coat/jacket as a sweater does plus, when they crank up the heat in your office you can confidently take off your jacket without becoming “that guy who wears a shirt and tie but no jacket.” Everybody hates that guy. Right?
In my part of the country one can never have too much Wyatt Earp.
I also agree that the back should match the front when worn as a separate. This is the reason I like the Indochino option on the vests to match the material. I feel it makes it more versatile.
I would agree if I saw that guy bench 400+. Until then, as a guy who benches less than 400+, I’m pretty confident that the guy to which you refer is only a talented, mild-mannered guy of average strength who may or may not love Jesus.
Give it a try! I used to think cords were straight out of the hippie 70s. Then Gap had some back in the early 2000s so i bought a pair on clearance. Fell in love with them so much that i wore them till they fell apart.
But have you NOT seen him bench 400+?!?!? (I got you)
I’m thinking this isn’t quite hipster. I mean, add a porkpie, a corncob pipe, maybe some shutter shades… but it’s just not quite there for me. All three and yeah, you’re there.
I have the same problem you do. I’d say a vest is like a tie, ideally it should come down to about the center of your belt. Although that’s hard when you’ve got a long torso because it’s not like you can tie it again. It either fits or it doesn’t. For me, I’ve never found one that does.
I’d have to see it in person, but I’ll give it a solid maybe.
Ha! true…
I wear my fair number of vests and I think having a little shirt viewable isn’t bad at all. While the goal is to give you some continuity through your look and the shirt breaks that up, I think it can add a little flash to it all. That said, an inch is a bit. Aim for half an inch or so (getting one tailored right now because it had the opposite problem).
It’s not hipster by itself, no, but it’s definitely in vogue as part of the ever-changing hipster uniform.
I’m so glad someone else agrees with me on this… I’ve been saying it for weeks
I’d do away with the belt cinch and tailor it. A waistcoat is the easiest thing to tailor; anyone who has even a little sewing experience can do it themselves in less than an hour.
Otherwise, I’m pro-waistcoat. And not just because I have a handlebar mustache and bowler in my photo.