As this thread exists, I assume that string vests have at least been heard of in the US. In case anyone needs it, here’s an image of one
I was made to wear them briefly as a kid in the North of England. Because “They keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer”. And uncomfortable (and looking ridiculous) all year round. I don’t know why, but I can’t get this question out of my head: is that just a myth, or was there ever any research? Well…
If you looked at the image, you’ll have seen it was a string vest worn on an antarctic expedition - the owner apparently visited antarctica a couple of dozen times, so I guess this is quite a testimonial, but it still isn’t research. However:
…Results of tests on soldiers serving in the Suez Canal Zone reveal the best string vest to wear in warm weather.
Noting growing numbers of string-vest “adherents” during British summers, the government set out to fathom the “indefiniteness of its function”.
The papers have been made public by the National Archives at Kew, west London.
With temperatures soaring to 98F (36C) in Egypt during the summer of 1955, members of the 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment were ordered to wear vests under their bush jackets to see if they had any “definite advantage” as a summer garment.
Three models were tested - a standard Army string vest, a less stringy civilian version, the Sherpa, and a conventional, non-string singlet.
Woah there! - the papers are in the National Archive? Red rag to a bull.
I won’t keep you in suspense. The paper is, at least in principle, publicly available - but you have to have an account to download it.
In any case, the BBC article summarizes the results. Yes, the soldiers found the string vests kept them cooler in the heat - but when the experiment ended they still couldn’t persuade the men to wear them. And I’m not in the least surprised.
j