For when taking your coat off is too revealing and wearing a trenchcoat is just too much. The waistcoat is an article of clothing that has been around since the Restoration in England. In the United States it is called a vest. A waistcoat provides warmth, an extra layer and extra pockets. Depending on the waistcoat, characters wearing them can seem especially stylish, pretentious or eccentric. Wearing a waistcoat in more modern works can strike the perfect balance between being suave and kicking ass. It is often the sign of Tall, Dark and Snarky. Examples of Waistcoat of Style include: