Fabulous embroidery is not just for women's clothes. Men's waistcoats (a long vest) were showcases for embroidery and ornamentation as they were intended to be left open in the front. Waistcoats were often made of a complementary / contrasting fabric to the suit they were worn with. This waistcoat dates to ca.1750-70.
This shimmering waistcoat would have been reserved for the most formal of occasions, possibly an appearance at court, and would have shimmered in the candlelight of the time. In addition, it would originally have been a very expensive purchase since it is woven entirely out of metallic threads, which was difficult to do - not to mention quite costly.
In the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at http://www.metmuseum.org/…/the-collection-on…/search/157708…
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