spencer

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A spencer is a historical waist-length jacket associated with the early 19th century, usually fitted and buttoned at the front. A cropped jacket is the modern equivalent — any jacket that ends above the hip — and carries no period association. A bolero is an open-front jacket that ends at or above the waist, often worn over formal or evening attire; it typically has no buttons or fastenings, while a spencer is usually buttoned. A waistcoat (or vest in American English) is a sleeveless garment worn under a coat, whereas the spencer has sleeves and is worn as an outer layer. Context is key: in historical writing or period costume, 'spencer' is the precise term; in everyday modern English, 'cropped jacket' or 'short jacket' would be used instead.

Common collocations

Etymology

Named after George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834), a British nobleman who is said to have accidentally burned the tails off his coat while warming himself by a fire and then wore the shortened version — the style became a fashion trend in the early 1800s.