Weste

Weste is a German term that denotes a waistcoat, a sleeveless upper-body garment worn over a shirt and under a jacket. In traditional Western dress, a waistcoat is often part of a three-piece suit and is typically tailored, with front closures that can be single- or double-breasted. Waists can vary in length from hip to waist, and materials include wool, tweed, satin, or lighter fabrics for warmer seasons. Waistcoats may feature pockets and a back strap or buckle to adjust the fit. In contemporary fashion, the Weste can be worn as part of formal attire or as a casual layering piece, including knit or fleece versions known as knit vests or sweater vests.

In German usage, Weste can also describe knit or fleece vests used for additional warmth or layering, beyond the traditional formal waistcoat. The term has equivalents in other languages, such as vest in American English and waistcoat in British English.

Weste may also appear as a surname in German-speaking regions, though it is relatively uncommon. As a name or term, it does not imply a single associated historical figure or single geographic origin.

See also: waistcoat, vest, sweater vest.