Waistcoats

Cousin Jack's classic waistcoats come in two styles: the Classic, a V-fronted waistcoat with two slanted welt pockets, and the Revere, which adds a turned-back collar and four pockets. Both have six buttons, a full lining at the back, a buckled adjuster and a buttonhole for a pocket watch chain. The Revere comes in wool herringbone, and the Classic in wool check, wool blends, pinstripe and twill. We design every style in Elland, West Yorkshire, and make it in our own UK factory or at a carefully selected factory in Europe.

What is a revere collar?

A revere (or revers) is the part of a garment that is turned back to show its reverse side, like the lapel of a jacket. The Revere Waistcoat, in brown herringbone or navy herringbone, has a traditional revere collar, two slanted jet pockets with flaps and two breast welt pockets. It is warm and comfortable under a jacket or coat, and a pleasure to wear in its own right.

Wool, check, pinstripe or twill?

• Herringbone: the Revere Waistcoat is 100% wool from Abraham Moon, the West Yorkshire mill in Guiseley founded in 1837, with a viscose lining.
• Check: the blue and grey and green check waistcoats are also 100% Abraham Moon wool, and understated country wear.
• Wool blend: the Midnight waistcoat is a deep, muted blue wool with a subtle charcoal-grey edge, and the Maple waistcoat is a rich, burnished wool. Both are 65% wool and 35% poly, with a viscose lining, and each has matching peg trousers.
• Pinstripe: the navy and brown pinstripe waistcoats are a poly-viscose blend, with a viscose lining.
• Twill: the charcoal, navy and brown twill waistcoats are a poly-viscose blend: plain, classic and simply done.

Dry cleaning is recommended for all of them.

What is the difference between a waistcoat and a vest?

Only the country you are in. In British English it is a waistcoat, in American English it is a vest, and a British vest is an undershirt. So if you were searching for a men's vest to wear over a shirt, you are in the right place.

How to wear a waistcoat

The traditional rule is to leave the bottom button undone, and braces are the traditional partner for a waistcoat: our fishtail back trousers, peg trousers and plus fours have buttons for them. For a three-piece look, match the waistcoat to the trousers (see our suit separates), or wear the Midnight waistcoat with its matching jacket and peg trousers from our suits. For a country look, add check and a cap from the Country Gent collection, and for a softer one, wear a collarless shirt underneath. Our size guide has the chest measurements.