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Samantha Chown Johnston

Inspiring you to love & wear your wardrobe

July 29, 2023

How to style a vest: Five chic outfits to try 

OK, I admit it. I was hesitant to jump on the vest trend (also known as a waistcoat in the UK). Instead, I’d done what I always do: add it to my wish list and wait and see if I really wanted it or if I was simply being influenced because it was suddenly everywhere. Then I begun thinking about how to style a vest to see if it made sense to add it to my wardrobe.

First, I started searching my usual secondhand online shops and favouriting a few vests in shapes and colours that would have longevity in my wardrobe. And, I thought about how many ways I could style a vest with my existing pieces. 

At a recent concert, I saw a woman styling a vest in a way that felt very Kate Moss at Glastonbury 2005 — arguably the look that defined festival fashion. At that moment, I knew I could intentionally add a vest into my wardrobe where it would serve as a tailored piece to align with my polished vibe while also fitting equally as well into more casual outfits. After months of consideration, I decided to put an offer on a simple white vest from Aritzia via Poshmark that still had the tags on! 

Let me know your favourite way to style a vest in the comments!

Five chic ways to style a vest

How to style a vest - vest and trousers

Tailored: Vest + Trousers + Heels + Structured Bag

Pants: Babaton. Similar option. 

Bag: Louis Vuitton Cluny Mini. Similar option.

Sunglasses: Retrosuperfuture 

Necklace: Machete. Similar option.  

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman


How to style a vest - vest and tonal pieces

Tonal: White vest + White pants + White heels + White bag

Pants: Aritzia via Poshmark. Similar option. 

Necklace: Machete. Similar option. 

Bag: Oak + Fort. Similar option.

Sunglasses: Le Specs, The Last Lolita

Shoes: Thrifted. Similar option.


How to style a vest - vest and tailored trousers

Polished: Vest + Tailored shorts + Block heels + Structured bag

Shorts: Ganni. Similar option.  

Bag: Louis Vuitton Cluny Mini. Similar option.

Necklace: Monica Vinader

Shoes: Joe Fresh. Similar option. 


How to style a vest - vest and slip skirt

Feminine: Vest + Slip skirt + Strappy sandal + Baguette bag

Skirt: Oak + Fort. Similar option.

Shoes: L’intervalle. Similar option. 

Sunglasses: Le Specs, The Last Lolita

Bag: Louis Vuitton Easy Pouch on Strap


Casual: Vest + Wide leg jeans + Loafers

Loafers: Zara via Poshmark. Similar option.

Jeans: Gap

Bag: Acne

Sunglasses: Retrosuperfuture


Still need a vest?

Consider buying a vest secondhand or if you buy new, select one from a sustainable brand. See below for a few options.

Most of the items in my wardrobe are older and might not be available. I have tagged all the items that are still available or shared a similar option to help you mindfully shop. To help support the content I develop, this post contains affiliate links.


Sam

Hi! I’m Sam. Sustainable fashion advocate and content creator sharing my love for personal style and a mindful approach to life and travel.

←The 4 best stores for secondhand shopping online
The Packing List: A capsule wardrobe for three weeks in Europe →

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Welcome!

Hi! I'm Sam, a sustainable fashion and lifestyle creator based in Austin, TX. Here you'll find sustainable fashion news, digital wardrobe tools, and slow living tips to help you buy less, wear what you own, and live intentionally.

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