Spencer (clothing)

The spencer, dating from the 1790s, was originally a woollen outer tail-coat with the tails omitted.

It was also soon adopted as a popular women's fashion on both sides of the Atlantic during the 1790–1820 Regency style period[2][3][4] The spencer was worn as a cardigan, or as a short, fitted jacket cut to just above waist level, or, in Empire style, to the bust line, and tailored on identical lines to the dress.

[5] The use of the term spencer continued well into the 19th century to mean more generally any type of short jacket or coat.

In Australia, New Zealand and South Africa the term is sometimes used to refer to thermal underwear.

[6] In current menswear, the term "spencer" is often synonymous with knitted vest or waistcoat.