This is the perfect everyday vest, I had to get the extra large and I’m glad I did. It fits me perfectly in the pecs and tapers nicely at the waist utilizing the strap in the back to tighten the look. XL fit best, I’m 5’11 broad shouldered at 220. Quality dense fabric gives this an authentic look of a Wild West/Victorian working vest.

Historical Emporium has a knack of having a the most unique line of fashionable cloths on the planet. The Abilene vest is one of them. A very well made vest and it looks great. It lends itself to bringing a little class to any function you attend. Personally, I prefer natural fibers with the same backing as the front, longer "tall" versions and front-peaks, and wish that these features be extended throughout many of their lines, but the straight cut work vest also has its place. I highly recommend this vest to anyone who wants to improve their appearance and reputation.

I have decided in my old age to wear vests every chance I get. I bought this one to have a navy blue vest. The quality is excellent. The fit is true to size. I have worn it twice now out into the world and have received many compliments. Highly recommend.

A perfect waistcoat for everyday wear, and also for wearing with a kilt. Nice tailoring, fits well, and is very comfortable. Not quite as stiff as the similar canvas vests (which soften with wearing), a bit lighter, and just a little more formal. Colours go well with many of the shirts available trough Historic Emporium. I'm very pleased with this purchase.

The item is lovely, I've been wearing it quite a lot in fact. The color of the item was a bit darker in Real Life than it is on the Picture but it doesn't matter much to me. I still love it. and I still love the quality this store gives

Great vest, but it's a bit hard to iron the old fashioned way. The pockets make it great for organizing all that crap in your pocket. Watch out for guys who are 44 or 46, as they could go L or XL. I got the tight one, but it helps my back.

Nice vest, well built, good fit. I have had lots of compliments, thanks

The vests are amazing great quality and fit. Compliments galore!

Nice fit, good looking, hope to order more items in future.

I originally purchased this vest as part of a Victorian outfit to wear at a special occasion, but I like it so much that it's become a regular part of my wardrobe.

i saw 5 years ago on the internet the historical emporium page, iwas really impressed,the clothing are very nice, very well made respecting theVictorian era.........ipersonally wear just the cotton vests, because iwear denim every day, but those vest are very well made, excellent cut .fabric and so on........even with denim those vests look totally togheter with jeans, cusual but elegant!!!!!i hope more man they will start to wear vests again like in the past...when the man's were elegant!!!!!!

I bought this vest for wear mainly as an underlayer to the Model 1876 U.S. Army blouse for Indian Wars reenacting. This blouse has no external pockets (unlike modern military uniforms), and only a single internal pocket. The Abilene vest, worn as an under layer, provides pockets enough for all of the small items which I need to have close to hand when reenacting.

Great material and color of vest. Picked up a medium and found it to be a good fit with minimal adjustment.

This vest is darker than it appears, but that doesn't mean you won't have a handsome navy blue tone coming through. It can look black in poor lighting, but most of the time it'll be noticeably blue. Material and buttons are sturdy. I recommend adding a pocket watch to this, especially with a silver chain.

What a nice vest! I actually decided to purchase this vest for work. I work at the Post Office and this vest in navy works perfectly. I definitely will be picking up some other items in the future! Thanks for a great product!!

This Farnsworth vest is another amazing add to my new wardrobe. And the size is perfect. Thank you so much.

I am impressed with the quality of this vest. I was hoping that I’d get something that I would be able to touch up and use in a few weeks. But this baby arrived in perfect condition! No loose threads, no button holes that are too tight, no problems at all! The fabric makes it so versatile. I wear the vest without a jacket, and I wear it with a suit jacket. No matter how you wear it, it just looks classy!

I am impressed with the quality of this vest. I was hoping that I’d get something that I would be able to touch up and use in a few weeks. But this baby arrived in perfect condition! No loose threads, no button holes that are too tight, no problems at all! The fabric makes it so versatile. I wear the vest without a jacket, and I wear it with a suit jacket. No matter how you wear it, it just looks classy!

Great vest for the price. Good fit and verry dapper looking.

Nice vest. Dressy and classy looking.

Excellent quality an fit 5 star

Excellent quality an fit 5 star

The vest was exactly what I was lookin for. Sizing is precisely what I was expecting. Quality appears to be above average and I expect several years of use from this new vest.

Looks very nice and fits well. I dress in a casual style at work with these style of vest: open, with white shirt, no tie, and black slacks. The only reason for not giving 5-stars would be because the back fastening strap/belt tends to come loose from its buckle and hang down. Easy to fix with a quick tack with threads. They are largely ornamental.

I needed this vest for a period-style vaudeville show. It can be difficult to judge how such a stylish vest will look on a large man, so I was a little bit apprehensive. But to my considerable relief it really looks quite good on me (at least my wife says so! And so did the show's director). The vest is made of sturdy, easy maintenance fabric and the subtle floral pattern keeps it understated without being lifeless. In other words, perfect for the stage. I received helpful notifications regarding the processing and shipping of the order and it arrived in a very timely manner. I'm definitely a satisfied customer and I'm sure I'll be back!

This vest was delivered in only a few days. It was exactly as described. It fit perfectly and made my outfit. I am greatly pleased and will order more. Great company to do business with.

Perfect fit and really good looking

Very nice vest. Super light material so you won't get hot. Very nice subtle design, which everybody complimented on! Very pleased

Just beautiful Love it

Arrived quickly and is exactly as described. Fits true to size and the quality looks to be very good. Haven't had a chance to wear it yet but I'm sure it'll look great with my other western wear.

The lighter weight but woolen mix makes for a good semi-formal wear. Added a modern point collar shirt with a tie and collar clip for a routine bread and butter outfit. Cut and collar were perfect.

I tend to grit my teeth if I have to spend more than $50 for a vest, but I've got to admit it's very well made. Quality material and stitching. So much so, that after I received the double breasted herringbone vest, I was so impressed with it that I bought the single breasted herringbone vest as well.

Its pretty dark for being "gray". I do like the metallic buttons and the quality overall is very nice, but should be considering its 3x the $ of every other vest I looked at. Biggest complaint and very disappointed that the backing was a black linen material, fairly thick and heavy which made it very hot. All the pictures showed a light gray backing which was highly desired to match with the rest of the wedding attire. Unfortunate.

Exactly what I wanted and the craftsmanship and attention to detail is amazing! I actually ordered the wrong size (first time customer) so I sent it back for an exchange. The turn around on the exchange was lightning fast!

I love this vest! I provides a nice sense of dignity and elegance to my wardrobe and I'm pretty sure my IQ goes up when I wear it. It's comfortable, seems very well made. For example, even the back is substantial, unlike the chintzy material that so many use! Now I just need to find a quality pocket watch!

This is just what I was looking for. The vest seems sturdy, built to last. The blend feels nice-- a touch of wool (25%) but not so much that would make it too warm to wear indoors. I wear this as everyday work wardrobe, not as a costume, so I need something that will last. It's also available in tall sizes, which I need, and which are really hard to find in a lapel vest. I buy vests regularly, but am disappointed with most of them. And most cost more than this one. This vest I am extremely happy with. I may even buy another one--something I never do with clothes. It's that good.

Great character garment, I have always admired the character clothes of actors in the old westerns, from great actors to the B-class movies. I reccomend this company for the quality and impressive results in recreating them so well. Checking sizes will help you, however you will not find better than this company anywhere in my impression. Thanks again.

This is the second vest that I purchased from HE. I am impressed with the quality of this garment. I will be back for more.

I'm 5' 11" and have a typical middle-aged man's "executive" build. The XL is a perfect fit. Looks great and high quality.

This vest fits perfectly (I ordered size small), it is very warm and looks terrific. ALL my friends commented on how nice the vest looks and complimented me on it.

Just what I was looking for

Quality and fit we're excellent.

My husband was looking for a gray vest that looked vintage. This vest filled the bill. It’s stripes are subdued and looks good on

The vest I purchased was exactly as the website described.. the fit cart was right on... Got a lot of compliments on the look of the vest

Surprised at the heavy weight cotton, less akin to costume wear, more like every day work vest. Buttons are large and tight but will probably loosen up over time.

This vest was a birthday gift as I recently returned in-person to my office job. I’ve always loved dressing up for work, but this (incredibly comfortable and durable) vest has elevated my style game to an entirely new level!!! Everything it’s advertised to be and more!

These Livingston Brushed Vest are always a winner. My actor needed two(2)in Black. Vests were in stock and fit perfect. Thanks to the adjustment strap on back of vest. Always a great feature and so very helpful.

All of the items I have received have met or been above expectation. The only issue is this particular vest is too short for my frame. But I do like the style and quality of it! Respectfully, Nathaniel Branch

I ordered a vest, and I was EXTREMELY happy with the product I received. It was shipped VERY quickly, and it was very high quality. I would absolutely order again from them!

I am a professional carriage driver and was looking for Victorian period clothing to wear at work. I have absolutely loved this vest. It is constructed of very high-quality material, stitching, etc. It fits me very well. I have a 43-inch chest, and the size Large Livingston vest fits me comfortably and attractively. The only consideration I did not account for was the fact that the brushed cotton material picks up the horse hair easily and I simply keep a lint-roller on-hand to deal with it. I would happily recommend Historical Emporium and this vest to others.

SO I'm ito the old west as virtually all customers who come here are, and I also like things to be rugged and heavy-duty enough to last. I also like all-black, and ONLY all-black. And finally, may your respective higher powers of choice bless mother nature's invention of pure cotton. So, with those things said, I can proudly say: I'm happy with this vest as part of my old west style regular everyday wear. I wear my old west stuff (now including this vest) while doing such ordinary things as grocery shopping at walmart once a month. I wear this vest and the rest of my all-black old west all-cotton outfit with my black wool felt low-derby hat, my cotagonal-cornered rectangular-lensed old west sunglasses, my square-toed black leather cavalry boots, my brushed stainless steel mechanical wind-up old west style pocket watch--and so on and so on-- whenever I go to town. And all criticism as to my personal style, be damned. The material this vest is made of has the twill knit of dickies work pants, but feels at least twice as heavy-grade there as, like I'd say equivalent in heavywheight density to modern day cotton duck canvas. It also feels just soft enough to feel nice, yet its texture still has the simultaneous crispness (if that makes sense to you) to also feel as-- if not far more-- durable as any Dickies-like work pants. Yet, thise vest (and now that I've sampled its fabric in person, the entire Livingston black brushed cotton clothing line sold here at H.E.) is...

Just like the matching Frock coat this vest is extremely well made, comfortable and should last a life time

Well made, nice fit. Very classy!

This is a well made and historically accurate vest. I like the way it fits but the material, though cotton, is heavy. I thought it would be much more lightweight for the summer which is why I got the cotton instead of wool. They are closer to a canvas. Otherwise, I would give it 5 stars.

The vest is as promised. The material is heavier than I expected and it is warmer than I expected, but that is probably my lack of understanding. I think that the vest will be a reliable garment that I can use for reenactments for many years.

Fits well and looks good! Now I just need more opportunities to wear it.

Great piece, high quality fabric, nice pockets, authentic to the era, buckle on back works great! im truly satisfied. i measured myself and order size depending on what i wanted loser or tighter.. and it came in fitting me perfectly!!!!

I bought the Livingston vest in Medium size to match the frock coat for a formal civil war dance; the fabric is soft and the fit is perfect. I can even wear it with modern suit pants and jacket.

The vests are nice. They were a bit shorter than expected, but still acceptable. I feel like they were worth the money and wait.

Very nice. Excellent Quality as usual

I now own and wear daily several pairs of 1800s trousers and have acquired this, my second vest. Have never been a vest fan but I am now--this and my other vest are in daily use now and look spectacular--very well made, too.

This is my second time buying an "Old West" vest for my costume as a "Living History" re-enactment player. The first attempt was at another web site and the sizing turned out to be an educated guess, it didn't fit. At the Emporium the sizing instructions were accurate and it fits perfectly! I also appreciate that I can purchase the components of my character/outfit one at a time and still have that continuity that the whole outfit looks like it was purchased together.

This is a well made vest. The material is a heavy duty cotton and feels like very soft canvas. I gave it 4 stars only because of the plastic buttons. They are heavy duty buttons, but I would have paid more money for a vest with buttons that were more period correct (such as wood or another natural material). Also, the tag on the vest says "Gunslinger Vest" and the brand on the label is Frontier Classics. So it is designed as a western style vest. I was wanting something in a Victorian style to wear with my bowler hat, but it will also go well with my western hat. I ordered a size Large and it fits true to size. I wear a size 42 suit and it was a little big, but was able to adjust it down to my size with the tab belt on the back. Plenty of pockets.

Quality is spectacular and the shipping is as if I walked into the store and purchased it, delivery from the west coast was quick like I've never seen. Customer service top notch, size of clothing was as described. Best to get one size larger as with all dress clothes due to the high waist. Best clothing company ever!!

Great fit and quality. Very comfortable. This is one of my favorites. I wear it often to work.

I have purchase numerous shirts, pants ,and vests prior to this purchase. Every piece of clothing has been sized correctly, very well made, and of excellent materials. This vest is no exception to that praise. The shipping service was incredibly fast this time. I do not hesitate to recomend this company and their wares and have numerous times to numerous people. I am a Single Action Shooter Society competitor ( Cowboy action shooting ) . All of the clothing has survived long rugged wear on the shooting range and a great deal of physical activity, with little or no signs of wear. When I want period correct clothing there is no other choice, in my mind -- HISTORIC EMPORIUM

This is a great quality, great-looking vest. Sewing quality is outstanding. The material is thick and soft. Buttons are quality, too. I normally would fall into the Large sizing, which I ordered initially, but had to re-order a Medium, which fit perfectly.

Wearing this vest is not only comfortable, but remarkably historic. I have only received compliments when I wore it - everyone has asked me more about it, and I've told them right away about the Emporium. Works superbly with a cravat and a pocket watch. Hopefully, one day, the mainstream fashion can return to this golden age! We can only try.

We were looking for a vest for my (now) husband. We finally found the right one on the site. We bought 2 sizes as we didn't know which would fit best. We chose the smaller one and returned the larger one. We had a family member take in the vest a bit because it was still a little big, but there is no way my husband would be comfortable in the next size down. All in all the vest was just what he was looking for and he looked great at our wedding!

Excellent fit for me, look great, well constructed. What more can on say? I would recommend, especially with matching trousers. I look particularly dapper in these at work.

I really like how this can fit into almost any earth tone outfit. Works with tans, olives and browns. The only drawback is the shorter "gunslinger" flat front doesn't work on me as well. However it seems to be very sturdy with strong buttons.

Handsome more help on the sizing chart would be appreciated. I think men are getting bigger (sorry) and so what used to be a med could be a large? Anyway it was a birthday gift much appreciated.

The vest is great! Even better quality than expected, fast shipping, fair price, awesome style, and just plain and simply great!

lovely vest fits great and well made and fast shipping

Looks great, high quality, and great fit. I'm 5' 11" and have a typical middle-aged man's "executive" build. The XL is slightly large but it's just what I need to be comfortable all day.

This vest has proven itself through regular use and is an excellent addition to my wardrobe.

This vest, as with all the vests I've ordered, is comfortable and functional. I wear it as everyday wear and it's nice enough to wear to church with my Sunday go to meeting clothes.

Very well made! Extremely pleased with this. Have worn it several times to pretty formal occasions. The fabric is wonderful too!

A well made, handsome vest.

Excellent quality for the price. Received in a very timely manner. The only down side is that it is a little tighter across the chest than other vests I have ordered that were listed as the same size. If you are between sizes, you might be much better off ordering the next size larger.

The vest and matching items made for a perfect historical outfit.

fits perfect

Speedy delivery. Excellent Product. Thank You

Yet another great addition to my repertoire of vests courtesy of The Emporium. This sleek, smooth, lightweight masterpiece adds a cool and elegant aura to the most mundane outfit. Character and chic exudes while donning this stylish vest. Simply put, this one is a must have for every gentlemen's wardrobe.

This vest is worth every penny! Im going to wear it for my wedding! The quality is top notch, i ordered an outfit months ago from another online company. The service was terrible and the outfit was not as described. These guys are awesome. Great customer service and super speedy delivery!!! I cant wait to send pics in for the online contest!!

This is a nice looking and well made vest. I ordered by the measurements and the first one was too small for my husband. I re-ordered and sent the first one back as a return. The transaction and refund were quick. The only problem is that paying all the shipping both ways is a little costly.

I absolutely love this vest/waistcoat and so does my girlfriend! It is great for a formal look but equally attractive with jeans for a more casual artsy look. The fit is perfect and the quality is top notch. I give it four thumbs up (two of the thumbs belong to my girlfriend)! Thanks Historical Emporium!

The vest arrived in perfect condition in a very timely manner. I'm very impressed with the quality detailing of this vest. The contrasting piping/edging is very well sewn and applied, and the construction of the garment is excellent. The pockets were not basted shut, and they did not pucker a bit. The look is rich and goes great with a nice jacket and shirt. Ultimately, the vest fit me like a glove, so I'm a happy man.

I like it.

I couldn't have asked for a better period vest of high quality -- yep, add this to your collection now guys, very LUX

I have a substantial grey beard. This vest is suitable for my visits as Saint Nicholas' younger brother--his, ahem, younger, handsomer brother. A Santa Claus suit is a costume, a vest is clothing--and a step up in refinement from lighter weight vests I have worn. As an occasional performer of ragtime and kindred older piano, such a vest is expected. Of course for the role as a piano-playing Santa Claus, this burgundy vest is best.

I am really enjoying this vest; it's comfortable and looks great. I have seen the real thing as I have worked at museums for a while and it definitely allows me to see what some of the vests would have looked and felt like when they were new 140 years ago. And yes I have received compliments on it!

The pictures really don't do the waistcoat justice. The cut is superb, the texture is quite lush and the colour is rich and vibrant, and offset perfectly by the black trim. I wear this to work on a regular basis and it always gets compliments - works well with a black coat and trousers (I wear it with the Livingston brushed cotton trousers and the Victorian cutaway frock coat) and a white shirt for excellent contrast. One of my favourite items in my wardrobe - you'll probably find it becomes one of the favourites in yours, too.

Wore this wonderful waist coat at the Edwardian Ball got several complements. The best part of getting this item is the wonderful outstanding costomer service I always receive.

I will continue to shop here. High quality, distinctive garments at a reasonable price. Can’t go wrong.

It is everything and more. It is a beautiful vest and I will enjoy it for years.

My vest was the wrong size, because I was careless in my ordering. I was given some great information on how to return and exchange the vest for one that will be the proper size. I have not had one complaint for Historical Emporium and will continue to be a loyal customer!

By far one of the best vests I ever owned. I'll wear this to my grave.

This vest is just what my husband wanted to wear with his antique pocket watch. It is perfect.

Another brilliant vest. This makes four. I receive comments all the time as to how the vest looks real good.

Received on-time. Fit as expected. Awesome style.

I already had a red, blue, and green vest to compliment my Maroon, Navy Blue, and Forrest Green sport coats. I needed a white or cream vest to complete my collection, match my off-white sport coats, and the Spencer vest fit the bill! Couldn't be more please with my purchases from Gentlemen's Emporium.

Loved the detailing

Fit well. Looks fantastic.

Pocket are fantastic and the quality is top notch but it is a little tight around the stomach.

U sent a Reno vest not a spencer best. Didn't notice til the day before I needed it when I cut off The tag. The vest is a good vest just wrong one.

Love it! Very happy with Emporium!!! I only shop here for my Steampunk and Cos-Play Needs.

Excellent Quality, Price, Service. This will be awesome on my Wedding Day Photoshoot :D

This waistcoat always receives compliments when I wear it - it looks very fine indeed and fits well; and the tone-on-tone texture is another standout of its appearance. A very fine summer-weight dress waistcoat I think looks equally good paired with either a black or a burgundy coat.

I looked around for months trying to find a vest of this style that fit. I'm a larger guy so that can be a very tall order when sizes on amazon say 2XL but actually fit more like a medium. I even tried a 5XL and believe me, nothing will start to eat at you like going way above the size you normally wear and it still won't fit!!! Thankfully I found the Historical Emporium whose customer support worked with me to ensure that the size I ordered fit as expected. I couldn't have been more thrilled when it arrived and fit perfectly, not to mention it feels very authentic and of a high quality. You can't go wrong with this company (just make sure to take measurements before ordering).

Oh my gosh, words fail in describing the great look and feel of this vest. The cut is perfect, the velvet very elegant and overall lightweight for hot summer activities.

Great vest! Just what I wanted. Size was right on.

I purchased this item for a cosplay. It no longer comes with the gold plain buttons apparently, but silver patterned buttons instead. I'll have to replace the buttons to make it correct for my outfit. Otherwise it is a very nice vest and fits perfectly.

I wore this for my 1920's themed 45th Birthday party and it was an absolute hit! I paired it with arm garters and a boater hat and it did not disappoint. Very good quality and fits true to size. Customer service was great and rushed it because I waited until the last minute.

I had the opportunity to wear this vest to a titanic era tea. It is a good looking piece, comfortable , and not quite bright as it looks in some of the product photos. I am quite pleased with it.

Purchased this attend a dinner. It is really great, on time delivery, was very pleased with the style, cut and fit. Will purchase again if need be.

AWESOME!!

Just what a fine gentleman needs for an evening!

I have wanted this beautiful Rathbone vest from Historical Emporium for a long time, and finally purchased it. It fits and looks great, like everything I have from this wonderful company. It is part of their gray herringbone series, which I have been collecting. I have my eye on a few more wonderful garments from this collection. Highly recommended.

I recently purchased the Grey Herringbone Vest, complete with the Norfolk Jacket and matching trousers. What a great outfit! My arms are just slightly too short for the jacket, but the rest of it fit really well. I can't wait for slightly cooler weather so I can step out in all of it, either for the museum work that I do here in Toronto, Canada, or just for a regular occasion to catch attention. I've bought a lot from Historical Emporium in the past year, and have enjoyed all of it.

I have always had trouble finding a vest that is long enough, and Historical Emporium has what I need. This vest is long, and I didn't even get the tall version. Also, I like this material blend - it looks like wool, and that is the point. The herringbone pattern adds to the effect. All in all, a fine vest to wear to the opera.

Readers; Here is a review from a retired Historical Tailor who has made MANY vest &tc for this, and other, eras, so let wisdom guide your judgement of my Review. NOW! A bit of use of the vest background. I wished a vest to go with my green/grey smooth tweed kilt coat I recently bought. A vest for a kilt must be cut with square fronts, and not points. It is better if its a bit longer than the common lot of vests. So, I studied ALL the vests on the H.E. site and settled on the "Rathbone Vest". It came in good time. I scampered into my bedroom, changed into my kilt, and tried on the vest. Now begins the review of the Item. The length is perfect for a kilt. The material is very good quality(I am also a weaver)and well made. The vest has the TRUE double breasted fashion! Both sets of buttons have holes, so that it can button to either side. Very High Marks for that. Near all double breasted vest/coats Do Not have this historically correct feature. The armscrye {i.e. the hole for your arm to pass thru the vest- is made a bit more open than the originals, but its acceptable for an 'off the rack' reproduction. The all important neck line was made aright. There is no gap between the shirt collar and the vest collar. A vest, made right, shares the same cut of the collar line that the shirt has. The lapels are cut with understanding, and lay well and EVEN, left to right. The vest reveal[the part left open above the last button] is correct for the era. Pockets well...

Excellent quality and fit. The pockets are deep and can accommodate a nice sized pocket watch. It goes down farther over the waist than some of the other styles, fully covering the belt, and the collar is slightly higher. I have bought several vests from these folks and they have all been excellent, but this one looks like it is going to be a favorite.

Very good quality, well made. Not just cosmetic, but the real thing.

If there is one person that can attest to the sheer style and quality of vests made by The Emporium, that person would have to be me. I have purchased over a dozen of their fine vests and with each purchase have added a new retropair of style, beauty and character to my entire wardrobe and this vest is no different. The soothing metallic color, herringbone pattern and double breasted front pairs well with any color and any formal or semi-formal attire. Truly another great creation by The Emporium.