historicalfashion:

Riding Waistcoat | V&A Museum | c. 1790-1795

A woman’s riding outfit, known as a ‘riding habit’, frequently included a waistcoat styled after those worn by men, which accompanied a masculine-style coat and a petticoat (or skirt). This double-breasted example with high collar and revers (lapels) reflects the fashionable styles of men’s waistcoats in the early 1790s. The back lacing allowed a snug fit over stays and under a closely tailored coat.