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
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
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.
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.
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.
I used your list to prepare for a 2 week trip to Hawaii. I ended up taking 2 extra shorts sets and 2 extra dresses for dinners my husband has planned, plus ended up with 3 swimsuits, but am very confident I will not be going through I have nothing to wear syndrome! Thank you!