Vest van bruin laken afgebiesd met witte zijde, schuin weggesneden voorpanden, staande kraag, zakken met hol geschulpte klep c. 1810s - 1820s

This brown cloth waistcoat trimmed with white silk was made by an anonymous maker. Clothing is always a potent signifier of social status, and this waistcoat is no exception. The quality of the cloth, the cut of the garment, and the use of silk trim all speak to the wearer's position in society. The waistcoat, as part of a suit, became an essential item of male attire in Europe, and this example is likely from the 18th century. We can trace the history of fashion through paintings and prints, as well as surviving garments like this one. By looking at these sources, we can learn about the changing styles of dress, the materials that were used, and the social meanings that were attached to different items of clothing. What does it tell us about the social and economic conditions of the time? The historian looks for clues in the object itself, as well as in the documentary record, to understand the waistcoat's place in the world.