Ralph Lauren c. 1980s Denim & Tartan Tailored Waistcoat in Essex Green | 8

A tailored waistcoat built from two cloths: an indigo cotton-denim front and a back panel of Essex Green tartan flannel, the deep green-and-red check that has long been part of Ralph Lauren’s country vocabulary. The pairing is the point — workwear denim cut with the lines of a suiting waistcoat, finished against the back with a tartan, more often seen on a flannel shirt. The construction is the elevated kind. A V-neckline opens onto a six-button placket fastened with horn buttons; four besom pockets — two at the chest, two at the waist — are set into the denim with the clean welt finish of tailored clothing rather than the patch pockets of a casual vest. Two observations on the piece. The denim carries a light, even patina throughout — the soft settling that comes with age and gives vintage denim its character. The back belt shows two small holes at the buckle: these are characteristic of the style, an unavoidable mark of the sharp buckle prongs that appear on nearly every example of this construction and age, unless the belt was always stored unbuckled. The belt remains fully functional, and the holes are out of view in wear. Excellent vintage condition otherwise, with no faults of note. Details: · V-neckline · Six-button front placket with horn buttons · Two besom chest pockets, two besom waist pockets · Adjustable buckled back belt for a cinched silhouette Measurements: · 29” bust · 24” length Care: Dry clean