When it comes to buying a suit, one of the things I always recommend if it is an option and within your budget, is to add a waistcoat. With a two-piece suit, you only get three variations—the two-piece, jacket separate, and pants separate. Add a waistcoat to the equation, and you’ve suddenly more than doubled the possibilities. Pairing the waistcoat and pants together is an underutilized combination, in my opinion, and one that I’d like to see more often. Here’s one way to do it.
I always like to wear this combination when I’m looking for something dapper, but a bit more relaxed. There’s a certain amount of formality to even the classic two-piece version that the waistcoat/pants combo is able to overcome.
The club collar shirt has made a huge comeback in the past year or so. When my style leans towards classic dapper, it’s the first shirt I reach for in my closet. A pocket watch is also a great accessory when you’re wearing a waistcoat. You can find many different kinds of pocket watch fobs—some extremely ornate—but I prefer a simple silver chain threaded through my waistcoat’s second buttonhole from the top.
This Look: Brown donegal tweed waistcoat and pants by Michael Andrews Bespoke (similar waistcoat and pants) – Blue striped club collar shirt by Brooks Brothers (Now 50% Off) – Navy repp tie c/o Brooks Brothers – Sterling silver cuff links by Tiffany & Co. (similar here) – Pocket watch by Bellagio (similar here) – Dark brown wingtip dress boots c/o Allen Edmonds (Dalton)
Thanks for reading.
Stylishly Yours,
Brian
He Spoke Style
Photography by Rob McIver Photo.
