Men's Waistcoat

Waistcoats were worn increasingly shorter and straighter during the second half of the 18th century. Of particular splendour is this sleeveless waistcoat made from gold lamé, a fabric in which metal filaments, or flattened metal wires, are worked from selvedge to selvedge. The front edges of the waistcoat and the pocket flaps are set down simply, but very effectively, with a red and white striped trim made of faceted glass stones and contoured in curves made of blue sequins. The strict character of this trim is picked up by the regular longitudinal strips of metal sequins that adorn the front portions. The luxurious materials contrast with the simple decoration. The closed back is made of maize-yellow linen and the waistcoat is lined in yellow silk taffeta.