Why, yes I was watching Harry Anderson videos on YouTube (RIP)

May 6, 2018 12:55 AM

So, what exactly is Sam Malone (Ted Danson) wearing over his shirt in this clip from Cheers?

I mean, it's a vest, sure, but it took me a second while watching the clip to realize, hey, he shouldn't be wearing a lifejacket in a bar. What the heck is that?

I was a young boy in the 80s, but I thought I knew all about the fashion fads of the time. Was this a thing, or is it just a weird vest? Some kind of sleeveless jacket, maybe? Because, I love wearing things over other things, and I kind of want one. What keywords do I need to enter on eBay to find one like that?

posted by themanwho to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

Best answer: It seems like a fairly ordinary vest? What is screaming "lifejacket" to you?.

You might look into "cargo vest" or fishing vest-inspired fashion vests to find something somewhat similar.
posted by brainmouse at 1:02 AM on May 6, 2018

Response by poster: What is screaming "lifejacket" to you?

All those pockets.
posted by themanwho at 1:11 AM on May 6, 2018

Agreed that it's a standard cargo vest--my dad had one back in the 80s, and I think that I've got one somewhere in my closet now. They're great when you're working on carpentry projects or the like, which my father often was. All those pockets hold all your nails, and you don't have to rely on your useless kids not dropping them!
posted by mishafletch at 1:27 AM on May 6, 2018 [3 favorites]

You might also look up things like "fishing vest" or "photographer's vest." Google brings up lots of reasonably priced ones; you could also look at outdoor stores for more selection.
posted by stillmoving at 1:57 AM on May 6, 2018 [10 favorites]

Also check travel gear and utility wear.
posted by Gnella at 2:44 AM on May 6, 2018

safari/cargo vest. The look was fairly popular back then. Dig-up an old J.Peterman catalog for reference.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:06 AM on May 6, 2018 [3 favorites]

Do lifejackets typically have a lot of pockets these days? Wasn't true of the lifejackets I wore as a kid. Admittedly, I don't know what my 6-year-old self would have put in them if they did.
posted by she's not there at 4:57 AM on May 6, 2018 [1 favorite]

Cargo vest. I went through a weird phase of wearing one in high school in the '90s.
posted by Faint of Butt at 6:01 AM on May 6, 2018

Best answer: Sartorial Sam Malone declares it to be a fishing vest, and that he wore it often.
posted by missmobtown at 7:34 AM on May 6, 2018 [5 favorites]

Yes, a cargo vest, popular as part of the "safari look." Banana Repubic came on the scene as a purveyor of this style.
posted by jocelmeow at 8:45 AM on May 6, 2018 [2 favorites]

Also came in to say 'Banana Republic' safari look (so, sooo colonialist). It was super-huge basically, everywhere, after the release of 'Crocodile Dundee'.
posted by sexyrobot at 10:08 AM on May 6, 2018

My immediate reaction was “fishing vest”.
posted by MexicanYenta at 10:25 AM on May 6, 2018

Response by poster: Thanks for the help, everyone, and special thinks to missmobtown for the Sartorial Sam Malone blog.
posted by themanwho at 11:17 AM on May 6, 2018 [2 favorites]