A waistcoat is a sleeveless, buttoned garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket, often as part of a suit.
From “waist” plus “coat,” first used in English in the 17th century to describe a shorter coat that ended at the waist. Over time it became a distinct piece of formal clothing.
In British English, “waistcoat” is standard, while Americans usually say “vest” for the same item. The silent pronunciation /ˈwɛskət/ shows how quickly everyday speech can swallow sounds that spelling keeps.
Waistcoats have historically been associated with men’s formal wear, reflecting gendered dress codes that restricted women’s access to certain professions and spaces. Women adopting waistcoats and similar garments have sometimes done so as a challenge to rigid gender norms.
Treat 'waistcoat' as a garment anyone can wear, and avoid using it as shorthand for maleness or 'men in suits.'
["vest","formal vest"]
Note that women and gender-nonconforming people have used tailored clothing, including waistcoats, to claim professional authority and gender expression.
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