vest versus waistcoat?

**tulloch** · 24th November 09, 04:10 PM

Can somebody help me here to understand what, if any, difference there is between a vest and a waistcoat? Can a vest have lapels? Can a waistcoat? Any light that can be shed on this will be appreciated.

**Kerr the Walker** · 24th November 09, 04:17 PM

My understanding is that a waistcoat is a vest that buttons up the front and traditionally worn with a jacket. A vest is a garment with no sleeves.

I'm sure there are some others with a more technical (and correct) definition and I also await a clearer answer....

**Paul Henry** · 24th November 09, 04:19 PM

English - Waistcoat --- the same as ---- American - Vest
there are so many variations of buttons/lapels etc,that's not the difference

it's language thing...

**Joseph McLaren** · 24th November 09, 04:24 PM

I'm with paulhenry~ it's one of those instances of 'two nations divided by a common language'. In the UK, we use the word vest to describe a sleeveless undershirt.

**BEEDEE** · 24th November 09, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by paulhenry

English - Waistcoat --- the same as ---- American - Vest
there are so many variations of buttons/lapels etc,that's not the difference

it's language thing...

Once again "Two great nations, separated by a common language"

Brian

**dfmacliam** · 24th November 09, 04:25 PM

I have always refered to a vest as I would a waistcoat.. but of course there are exceptions to everything... I would refer to a sleeveless garb not meant to worn under a jacket as a vest... like a fishing vest, a hunting vest, a jerkin, ect.

The reference of a vest is usually an American term, while the Europeans would refer to the same garments.

**Jock Scot** · 24th November 09, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Joseph McLaren

I'm with paulhenry~ it's one of those instances of 'two nations divided by a common language'. In the UK, we use the word vest to describe a sleeveless undershirt.

Yes, I agree.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 25th November 09, 03:55 AM

Originally Posted by BEEDEE

Once again "Two great nations, separated by a common language"

Brian

makes it very easy for a Frenchman, as you can imagine ...

Best,

Robert

**Sir William** · 25th November 09, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by peacekeeper83

I have always refered to a vest as I would a waistcoat.. but of course there are exceptions to everything...

I tend to use the two terms interchangeably as well, with the exception that I use waistcoat, or wesket, to refer to my 18th century garments.

I'm slightly curious as to when Americans began to refer to waistcoats as vests.