The mess jacket is a type of formal jacket that ends at the waist. It features either a non-fastening double breast cut or a single-breasted version that fastens.[1] The jackets have shawl or peak lapels. Used in military mess dress, during the 1930s it became a popular alternative to the white dinner jacket in hot and tropical weather for black tie occasions. It also was prominently used, in single-breasted form, as part of the uniform for underclassmen at Eton College, leading to the alternative name Eton jacket.[1] Its origin was a spencer, a tail-less adaptation of the tailcoat worn by both men and women during the Regency period.
- ^ a b Entry at blacktieguide.com Accessed August 4, 2012].