Tory Burch vest
Talbots' quilted vest
Chico's knit vest
Once the domain of sartorially correct businessmen and hearty lumberjack types, the vest is an often overlooked item, but one that can solve many wardrobe situations for fall and winter.
Vests, in fact, are enjoying a great resurgence and have become much-sought-after fashion style. They’re on the radar of designers at every retail price range with the latest versions going from well beyond the classic quilted version.
Depending on which area of the country you live in and your own personal style, a vest is a great transitional wardrobe addition. If you live in a warmer southern climate, you might never need a heavy coat or jacket. The vest may provide a year round wardrobe solution.
Rethinking the Vest
Fendi fur vest
Perhaps you’ve never worn a vest and think if of it solely as something more suited to wear raking leaves or fly fishing. Some varieties, no doubt, will serve you stylishly for both of those tasks.
However, from classic equestrian-inspired quilted versions to stylish fur or faux fur variations to new sweater styles, the vest is being revisited as a fashion item for both city and suburban attire.
Here are some new ways—both classic and trendy—to wear the vest:
1. Take the classic quilted style and pair it with a turtleneck, add jeans or casual pant, flat or stacked heel moccasins and Thistle & Bee’s silver hoop earrings.
2. Go for an equestrian, countrified look. Wear a quilted vest with a shirt, leggings or a riding inspired pant and pair with a flat jodhpur style or tall riding boot. Accessorize with a silk scarf and a pin such as Jacqueline Cullen’s Whitby jet version.
Lika Behar's silver and 24K gold mabe pearl ring
3. Pair a
quilted vest with a long wool skirt, high boots, and a floppy brim felt hat and big ring like Lika Behar’s mabe pearl ring.
4. Go totally menswear in a vintage check or pinstripe button front suiting style, wearing it with a classic white shirt, jean or jeggings, ballet flats and pretty citrine earrings from Elena Kreigner.
Oxidized silver ring by Tara Moor
Diane von Furstenberg vest
5. Opt for a black shearling vest with a crewneck top, leggings, motor-cross inspired boots or booties and pair with a sterling silver cuff bracelet by Caroline Ballou or an oxidized sterling silver ring by Tara Moor.
6. Try a head-to-toe winter white version with a shaggy faux shearling version worn with a cowl neck top or sweater, matchstick cords, low boots and a sterling silver collar, such as Veto’s modern version.
Thistle & Bee's sterling silver station necklace
7. Look for new knit versions of the vest, a take off to the popular long front cardigan. Pair with a draped front top, slim pants or trousers and a long chain necklace in silver or gold, like Thistle & Bee’s sterling silver style.
