History and evolution of the vest: from the past to the present day
If we were to think of an item of clothing that is found in both men’s and women’s wardrobes, we would probably, along with jeans and blazers, also think of the vest. Over the years, this garment has been worn for different occasions, has had different characteristics, belonged first to the men’s wardrobe and only later to the women’s wardrobe. Now, of models, on the market, there are really many, but how was the vest, in the past? What did it start from and how did it become?
Although still underestimated by many, this garment has spanned centuries of history, evolved, been an integral part of the past, and is still an important piece in the present day. It has been a symbol of aristocratic prestige, but also a symbol of an expression of rebellion and avant-garde. Despite this, it has been able to adapt to changes in fashion, enduring and maintaining a prominent role.
The origins of the vest
Although the vest, even today, is taken as an inspiration by different brands, who work on it and make it a must-have garment, a must-have garment inside the closet, its invention and fame date back to the second half of the 17th century. It is thanks to Louis XIV, a.k.a. the Sun King, that this garment has had so much success and fame over the years. He introduced it as an integral part of the clothing of his court. It is no accident, in fact, that the term is French. The king wanted it at all costs, especially to distinguish courtiers from the bourgeoisie. Before it was an item of style, the vest was a symbol of status.
Then, with the French Revolution of 1789, the vest was scaled down and more soberly tailored, turning ostentation into sophistication. In the nineteenth century, it was the British dandy George Bryan “Beau” Brummell who made it a minimalist, monochromatic element paired with the tailcoat. He was one of the first to enforce the concept of simplicity, juxtaposed with that of elegance. To stand out from the crowd, there is no need to overdo it, because the real secret lies in simple things and knowing how to remain yourself. But, it doesn’t end there, because the vest, over time, has undergone many other transformations.
The vest in the modern age
In the twentieth century, the vest underwent other transformations. With the Futurist movement, artists of that era considered it a true work of art, enriching it with bright colors and bold geometries. In the 1960s, thanks to designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, the vest entered, officially, the women’s wardrobe. Later, with the bohemian fashion of the 1970s, the vest took on a different, more jaunty and bubbly placement, with beaded bangs, perfect for the hippy style of the time.
The vest in today’s times
Today, the vest is no longer part of one context, one sector, but is used, in all its connotations, whenever one feels like it. It has become a versatile garment, full of variations and alternatives. On the market, you find the most elegant models, perfect for ceremonies and more formal settings, as well as softer ones, with softer lines and colors, ideal for casual looks. There are still many big brands that bet everything on this garment, reinventing and transforming it in a modern key, such as Giorgio Armani, Dior, Prada, Moschino.
Then it was the garçonne style that brought the vest back to the center of women’s fashion, making it a trendy item among the new generations. This, in fact, is paired with jeans and t-shirts, for casual looks, but also with dresses, for the most elegant and refined outfits. Despite having gone through eras, despite having changed its connotations several times and been used for different purposes, the vest resists the passage of time and continues to be a symbol of style, yesterday as today.
Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility that, with time, it will change again. But, of one thing we are certain, which is that its appeal is destined to last forever. Anyone, at least once in their life, will have worn one, and anyone, at least once in their life, will have realized its potential. Seemingly simple, but able to make an incredible impression on any look.
