21st Century
In Germany, the waistcoat has made a return to popularity since the beginning of the century, in a country where casual and smart casual dress had previously come to predominate even among white-collar workers. It has once again become a common part of business attire: many German politicians wear waistcoats, such as Left Party member Oskar Lafontaine. Many commentators see this as part of a general return to more traditional norms of dress, deportment and working-patterns in the workplace, attributed to Germany's sustained period of economic uncertainty. American political and social commentators Penn Jillette and Keith Olbermann are known for wearing waistcoats. Waistcoats have also become popular within the indie and steampunk counter-culture movements in the United States. Vests are often worn both open or closed over dress shirts and even t-shirts.
Waistcoats have been worn by many males within the UK with a shirt and jeans. This has become a common sight and is mainly seen in clubs and bars worn by many younger generations. Waistcoats are sometimes seen on characters in modern day film and television. Neal Caffrey (portrayed by American actor Matthew Bomer) on the USA Network television series White Collar often wears a waistcoat. Patrick Jane, the main protagonist on the popular CBS series The Mentalist (portrayed by Australian actor Simon Baker) is almost always seen wearing a waistcoat. The character Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) on the USA Network television series Suits almost always wears a waistcoat as part of his three piece suit to look powerful. The character George Christopher (portrayed by actor Ted Danson) on the HBO series Bored to Death frequently sports a waistcoat. Take That, the recently-reformed British group, also sported waistcoats at Wembley Stadium on their Progress Live Tour in July 2011. Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) has also started wearing waistcoats in season 8 of How I Met Your Mother.
Retailers are beginning again to sell three-piece suits, some refer to them as 'vested' suits rather than as 'three-piece' suits.
Although not related to formal wear, a type of waistcoat have also been used as part of workers uniforms, such as at Wal-Mart prior to 2007, and also as high visibility clothing (usually bright "safety orange" color).
Famous quotes containing the word century:
“In this century the writer has carried on a conversation with madness. We might almost say of the twentieth-century writer that he aspires to madness. Some have made it, of course, and they hold special places in our regard. To a writer, madness is a final distillation of self, a final editing down. It’s the drowning out of false voices.”
—Don Delillo (b. 1926)