While America’s colonial years were filled with new settlements, growing cities, and a revolution, the fashion of the 1700s was imported from overseas. As the United States fought to separate from England, colonial style was adopted from France, the nation that helped young America with its revolution. Men of the 18th century’s colonial years followed French style, wearing decorative and colorful waistcoats as part of their everyday attire. Often lavishly embroidered and crafted from different types of fabric including silk, cotton, brocade, and wool, the waistcoat was a crucial piece of every man’s suiting. 

A man without a waistcoat was often viewed as “undressed” during the colonial period if he stepped out of his home in only a coat or shirt. The colonial waistcoat resembled a stylish vest, hitting the upper part of the thigh in length and opening into an upside-down “V” past the stomach. When boys reached seven or eight years of age, they transitioned from children’s clothing to smaller versions of their fathers’ waistcoats to signal their growth. Men began wearing their waistcoats at a young age, making them a centerpiece of any important colonial figure’s attire. All of America’s prominent voices of the 18th century donned waistcoats, from Benjamin Franklin to Thomas Paine to George Washington.

An exclusive piece in our Heritage Costumes collection of historical clothing, this colonial vest, or waistcoat, is authentic to the typical men’s attire of 18th century America. Your costume includes a single sand, or gold, jacquard satin brocade waistcoat. Fully lined and decorated with ornate gold buttons, this colonial vest is short, making it perfect to add atop any shirt or under a jacket. This waistcoat also has a full back, allowing you to easily slip it on and fit comfortably. Pair this colonial waistcoat with our wide selection of colonial clothing pieces, accessories, and added details to create your very own personalized colonial period costume. 

This high-quality men’s colonial vest can be used for a colonial-themed period ball, historical reenactment, masquerade, or simply a fun day of dressing up to experience life as an 18th century man. Made with pride and care right in the United States, this men’s colonial waistcoat vest is built to last.

Pair with our wide selection of colonial clothing parts and accessories to create your very own personalized colonial period outfit.