Waistcoats are one piece of office wear that aren’t discussed much because they aren’t usually worn on a daily basis, in fact, many people avoid them altogether. A waistcoat has the ability to make you look more refined and well put together, so if you can master how and when to wear a waistcoat to the office, you’ll be able to add a new, stylish dimension to your appearance.
Wearing a waistcoat allows you to experiment with layering your clothing, in a simple but effective way, but choosing the right waistcoat is essential. You need to match it with the right office wear for the best look and you need to consider the fit. A correctly fitting waistcoat will fit snugly around the shoulders and torso, without pulling at the back or on the buttons. If it wrinkles, it is too tight. It should be long enough to cover the waistband of your trousers, but if it’s too big, it will make you look larger than you actually are. The armholes should also be large enough to not restrict your movement and it should lie flat on your shoulders.
If you want to appear sophisticated, don’t leave your waistcoat fully unbuttoned, but you should always leave the last button of a waistcoat undone to prevent it from pulling when you raise your arms.
If you’re pairing your waistcoat with a jacket, make sure that it is a similar texture. For example, tweed works well with wool or denim. If you’re feeling confident, you can change it up and experiment more with different textures, but avoid unnecessary extras, the waistcoat alone should be enough of a statement. If you’re wearing the waistcoat without a jacket, pairing it with a long-sleeved shirt and chinos or jeans works well.
Matching colours tend to lean towards a more formal look. You can make your waistcoat stand out with contrasting, but complementary colours. Navy and grey may feel traditional but don’t limit yourself like you may do with a suit, a waistcoat in green or red adds a burst of colour that will really turn heads. With a little practice, you’ll be able to add style to your appearance using colour.
At Work & Wear Direct you will find stylish waistcoat options for the office from top brands like Brook Taverner. You can even add a high-quality professional finish to your waistcoat with our in-house embroidery & printing services.
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