When most people think of a waistcoat, they envisage the silk variety, and rightly so because that is the typical style. But linen waistcoats (with a silk back) bring an entirely different aesthetic to the table and are especially brilliant for summer weddings but also everyday sartorial outfits. Besides, linen is also one of the most sustainable natural fibres, too.
So why choose linen over silk? Well both are very lightweight and adept at regulating temperature so you should have no qualms about wearing either throughout the summer. But linen's trump card is its texture - that slightly slubby weave just seems to add depth and contrast when set against a fine wool suit jacket or morning coat. This texture is only accentuated by the juxtaposition of a silk tie and crisp white cotton shirt.
CORAL CULCROSS LINEN |
INDIGO WOODCROFT LINEN |
PARADE PINK |
This season, we have created a number of different linen waistcoats, both single-breasted and double-breasted. The latter would be our preference if only because one sees just that little bit more of the waistcoat from beneath a morning coat or blazer thanks to the swoop of the shawl lapels, giving the linen just that extra bit of stage to perform on.
NAVY HARDEWICK LINEN |
PARADE SKY SINGLE- |
STONE BRESSINGHAM |
Linen is also especially good at holding pastel colours. There's something about the flax fibres that gives those pastel tones of pink, green, blue and grey some additional depth and variety of tones.
If you've never considered a linen waistcoat before and have a suitable engagement upon which to wear one this season, we would thoroughly recommend coming down to our waistcoat boutique in the Piccadilly Arcade and giving them a twirl!
