Spring Formalities : The Trendiest Investment? A Waistcoat in Prints or Patterns

Judging by the number of Hollywood men wearing vests these days, it appears the formal alternatives to cummerbunds are making a comeback.

Among those who spiced up their Oscar ensembles with patterned waistcoats--the formal name for a fancy vest--were Michael Douglas, in a Nino Cerruti silk vest with hand-embroidered flowers; Spike Lee, in one of cobalt-blue silk; Tom Hanks, in a dapper white pique Armani, and Kevin Costner, in another Armani with abstract designs.

Nick Nolte chose to go monochromatic in a black vest over a black tuxedo shirt.

“Vests have never been out of style, but once in a while they resurge, and that’s what is happening now,” says Gary Brill, owner of 35 Gary’s Tux Shops throughout Southern California.

“Right after the awards we always get calls for the crazy stuff,” he says.

“But the Oscars are great for publicity.”

Sales of vests have doubled since last summer, says Brill, whose stores sell and rent formal wear. Vests may sell even more, he predicts, during the upcoming prom and wedding season, thanks to the awards. Prices range from about $40 to $150, depending on the fabric.

“For spring we’ve just sold tons of vests,” says Dee Tennant, owner of Chatsworth-based Santana, a supplier of formal accessories. “They aren’t necessarily more formal than a cummerbund, but they do represent a more conservative, traditional look for the ‘90s.”