Coat and Vest in One Piece, 1931

Here’s a good way to beat the dry cleaners who charge more for a three piece suit than for merely the coat and pants. It’s a combination coat and vest invented by Philip H. Einbinder, a Denver tailor, in 1931.

“Vests,” said Einbinder, “are a nuisance. They’re all front anyhow, so why bother putting fronts on them.” Putting his theory into practice he built flaps into the coat which button in front like a vest, the rest of the coat folding over them. If you don’t want to wear a vest, just button the flaps back under the armpits out of the way.