The popularization of the vest is attributed to Charles II:
“The King hath yesterday, in Council, declared his resolution of setting a fashion for clothes …. It will be a vest, I know not well how; but it is to teach the nobility thrift.” [Pepys, “Diary,” Oct. 8, 1666]
While Charles II may have introduced the vest to emphasize the value of thrift, we now focus on the vest’s sleeveless feature as a key element in comfortable layering. It wraps the torso with an added layer of heat without the bulk of layering sweaters.
On this cold winter day, I am grateful for vests and warmth without the stiffness of the poor child below. I’ve been in that position many a times during snow days and do not feel a desire to re-experience constrained mobility.
Image 1: Anthropologie
Image 2: http://www.fineandfairblog.com/2010/12/i-cant-put-my-arms-down.html
