Object of the Day

Jimi Hendrix's Vest

February 9

This vest, decorated with stylized Central Asian motifs, was worn by rock guitarist and innovator Jimi Hendrix in the 1960s.

Afghan vest worn by Jimi Hendrix

Description
A quilted burgundy colored velvet cropped Afghan vest with applied decorations worn by Jimi Hendrix. The vest is heavily decorated with Afghani motifs, has no buttons or closure, and is fully lined with dark gray cotton. The applied decorations are made of cotton cord wrapped in metal thread, and are stitched onto the velvet with green and orange thread. Additional embellishments include small metal coils affixed with orange or gray thread, pink and gray two-ply yarn affixed with orange thread, circular paillettes made of green or pink plastic with a mirrored center, and gold brocaded ribbon. There are two (2) set-in pockets stacked on top of each other on both the proper left and proper right exterior fronts. The pockets on the left side are both sewn shut. On the interior, the vest is fully lined with a gray plain woven cotton that is quilted, but the quilting does not show through to the exterior. There is one set-in pocket made of the gray lining fabric on the proper left interior front side.
Data Source
National Museum of African American History and Culture
Created by
Unidentified
Worn by
Jimi Hendrix, American, 1942 - 1970
Date
1960s
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Medium
velvet, braid, plastic, cotton, and metal
Dimensions
H x W x D (On form): 19 × 14 1/2 × 11 1/2 in. (48.3 × 36.8 × 29.2 cm)
H x W (Flat): 19 × 17 3/4 in. (48.3 × 45.1 cm)
Type
vests (main garments)