If I have a fad for a particular piece of clothing it has to be that of a waistcoat.
This all started at the age of fourteen when I became the owner of an ex-army sleeveless, leather drivers' jacket with a khaki lining; it became my pride and joy when going on long hikes across Dartmoor as it kept me warm and left my arms unrestricted to do those things that are necessary when camping alone.
Over the years I have had several waistcoats and still have quite a few in my possession.
As a consequence of this fad my eyes are always on the lookout for a new one.
We recently visited a treasure trove of books, cards, clothes and jewellery in Kinvara Co. Galway.
Ostensibly we dropped in to get Mrs H a copy of Jack Roberts' new book 'Island of the Sheela-Na-Gigs' (ISBN 978-908378-40-8) but you can imagine how delighted I was when my eyes fell on a rail of waistcoats! One in particular caught my eye and to be honest I did not know why at the time.
In our wild garden
The wonderfully comfortable waistcoat
The rear view showing its sensible length
The embroidered emblem.
After a day of wearing the waistcoat I suddenly recalled that the design
on the back reminded me of my first mantra when I first started in the practice
of transcendental meditation of over forty-five years ago!
Detail of buttons
Regina Tierney the Faerie Tailor of County Clare who is the designer of my waistcoat.
She also creates clothes and beautiful jewellery.
Please visit her website here - http://celticfusiondesign.com/
Nice ad for Regina, friend Heron ... but no ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the " but no" for the blog is more about me and what I like.
Delete... ok, in that case: 'Yes" ... smiles ... Love, cat.
DeleteHi Mel - it looks a really good buy and one that will stand the test of time ... keep the winter blues out, yet also that summer chilly wind as the sun beams down ... love the detail of it - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThanks Hilary.
DeleteIt is because a waistcoat is a chill protector that I like them and this one also has deep pockets too !
Hello Mel. Sorry if my previous comment has posted so there are 2. There was a connection blip. At the risk of duplication, wow, what a find. It is a beautifully made waistcoat and you look very fine in it. There's nothing like a piece of fine tailoring to make a person look well turned out.
ReplyDeleteHello Bella ! No duplication arrived here, so no worries eh.
DeleteThank you for the appreciative comment. As you say and what we all know it the finishing of each art form
that shows the quality and Regina's work has that.
Oh, I love that waistcoat and waistcoats in general (which from my original part of the world would be called a vest). I haven't worn one in years, but used to love to. My favorite one I found was a formal suede vest I found in NYC around 1980. I loved wearing it with jeans. May have to find myself some again.l
ReplyDeleteThank you for a very interesting comment Mitchell. I enjoy wearing them in the Irish summers as an outer garment and in wintertime under a jacket as another layer of warmth.
DeleteIs that a Celtic tree of life symbol?
ReplyDeleteWell, it is a modern one and can be used in that manner.
DeleteI checked her (lovely) website and yes, it is.
DeleteJust as well I answered in the way I did then : ) and yes Regina's web site is very informative.
DeleteThat is one very fine waistcoat, Mel. I shall check her website too! Your colourful trousers go very well with the ensemble, I must say. It looks as if you are having some lovel weather as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Val, Regina has some lovely products on display.
DeleteI moved away from drab coloured trousers some years ago as I found grey and black so very boring and now I have lots of bright trousers and shirts. The weather is wall to wall sunshine with none of our usual dampness.
Jack L said :
ReplyDeleteReally enjoyed your blog post and I have to say you're looking very good with your new waistcoast...stylish but practical too. Your garden is a super place for the picture. That tree embroidered on the back of waistcoat looks great !! I'd like one of these too...
Thank for the comment Jack.
DeleteGlad that you approve of my waistcoat which is very comfortable to wear in the buttoned up or in the unbuttoned state; plus the two deep pockets are just right for my pipe and baccy without having them fall out.
I suggest that you contact Regina just to make sure she has one in your size and it can be put back for you to collect when you visit the emerald isle :)
Don’t you just love a waistcoat? I know I do, if only to cover my matronly chest!
ReplyDeleteLX
Ha' ha' ha' !
DeleteWhat a curious comment Lettice and now my imagination is working overtime... wondering :)
Hi, I check your new stuff on a regular basis. Your humoristic style is witty, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Anon and have an enjoyable evening.
DeleteI too had one of those leather driver's jackets; wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI would call your new waistcoat 'a sleeveless jacket'. It looks like a nice tweed, and may have once belonged to Donovan.
There are times young Crow when you ruin a pleasant comment with a cheeky ending. I put it down to your imbibing and of having too much alcohol in your early morning cuppa :)
DeleteForty three years ago my Dad gave me a sheepskin/leather (ie tanned on the outside and wool inside) waistcoat that he had worn for many years in the winter when working outside. I have worn it in extreme conditions ever since. I will pass it on to my son or grandson. I almost always wore a waistcoat with my suits at work and I still have a variety of waistcoats that I wear with sports jackets. I only wear a suit for funerals, Of course I also wear a waistcoat with my kilt. The rest of the time I wear a gilet which is, of course, a variation on the theme. However none of my waistcoats or gilets have ever aspired to your level of individuality which is splendid.
ReplyDeleteThank you for leaving some very interesting comments Graham. One in particular comment of yours provokes me to ask what clan tartan is it that is aligned with the surname of Edwards because I have always thought that name was Welsh. Unless of course that your actual surname is Graham ?
ReplyDeleteI'm getting your notifications too (a propos my latest post). The Welsh have tartans and some wear kilts. The Edwards tartan (Edwards by the way is apparently an English name by origin although very popular in Wales and usually thought of as Welsh) is a very dowdy tartan and not at all to my liking. I've lived in the Western Isles for the majority of my life so I use the Western Isles Modern tartan.
DeleteThank you Graham, I will go and have a look at the Western Isles Modern Tartan then because I am a inquisitive old devil at times :)
DeleteI took your comment on board, Heron, and have posted accordingly.
Delete