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If you're thinking of adding women's vests to your workwear wardrobe, what's the best way to wear them at the office? And where can you buy vests for women in the first place? Reader K wonders how to wear a vest at the office…
I work at a relatively conservative-dressing law firm, and I've seen a few women, at my institution and elsewhere, wearing suiting vests — as in, the middle part of a man's 3 piece suit — usually over a white button up. I think they look great. What do you think of suiting vests? Do you know where can I find them?
Interesting question — we have occasionally featured suits with matching vests in our Suit of the Week feature, but not often — I'll admit it's a hard look to pull off.
Psst: if you're a fan of sweater vests, these are some of our latest favorite styles as of 2021…
Personally, I prefer the most classic vested look — a close-fitting, almost shrunken look. In product catalogs a vest is often featured as a shell, with nothing beneath, but I wouldn't advise that for the office. Instead, layer it on top of a button-front blouse or even a simple t-shirt (I'd suggest going for a scoopneck, jewelneck, or U-neck, not a crew or V) for a sophisticated, almost monochromatic look. Wear the blazer + vest combo with jeans for a dressed-up but casual look, or go for a vest-like look with a suit by layering a sweater the same color as your suit (either a shell, a proper sweater vest, or a regular, sleeved sweater) on top of a blouse.
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These things are practically impossible to find right now in stores, but here are a few versions, at top and below: Smythe / Limited / Bop Basics / Rag & Bone
That said, there is a trend right now that has long vests, meant to replace blazers (rather than be worn with them). I can't wrap my head around the trend — it just looks unspeakably ugly to me, honestly. Here are a few pictures for illustration, all available at Nordstrom should you disagree with me: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4. Note that bare arms at the office are a KYO situation — I really don't like looks 1 and 4.
Ladies, what are your thoughts on vests for the office — either the older, shrunken versions or the larger, drapier versions? Do you like to wear either kind of vest to work? What are your best tips for how to wear a vest at the office?
tesyaa
The short vests look too much like server-wear for the office. The long vests, if you could get it right, might be a good alternative to a long, loose sweater.
Anonymous
I have a black vest that I always want to wear, but feel too server when I try, even when I wear a bright shirt underneath.
Anonymous
For the short vests I find the burgundy look to be server like, don’t know maybe it’s the color. The others are fine I just think they need better styling. For anonymous above, maybe try it worn open with white shirt or shirt with subtle pattern e.g. stripes or something else.
MJ
As a child of the 90’s, I just can’t with long or shapeless vests. But a really fitted vest can look unspeakably chic. I worked with a woman who did that as her signature look and she always looked fantastic.
For those interested in the Ellen Pao/KPCB discrimination case, from today’s Term Sheet, by Dan Primack:
Primary sources: The day I never thought would come is finally here: Opening arguments in the gender discrimination lawsuit brought by Ellen Pao against Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, where she used to be a junior partner (yes, this is a KPCB-heavy Term Sheet). I honestly thought there was a better chance of Yo going public at a $1 billion valuation than this thing ever seeing the inside of a courtroom. But it seems that a settlement was never in the cards.
The judge has set aside nearly an entire month for the trial, and Fortune plans to have reporters in the room. I’ve also posted the final pre-trial briefs by each side, for those interested in the latest arguments. Find them at this link: http://fortune.chtah.net/a/hBU7JOVB7uQq2B876umNukzQJHp/for19.
Parfait
Ooh, I had a long shapeless vest that I wore all the effing time in the 90’s. It had pockets! I loved that thing.
Sydney Bristow
The character Bette on The L Word pulled this look off well. Just another search suggestion. I’ve never been able to make it look right on me.
la vie en bleu
Ellen DeGeneres sometimes wears vests alone or three-piece suits and I think she looks awesome. Also see Diane Keaton, sometimes vests over skirts as well as over pants.
Awa
Oh I’m glad you brought up Ellen! I think she does this look really well both casual and more formal. Hadn’t thought of Diane Keaton but she is also a great example.
la vie en bleu
yeah, i LOVE Ellen’s menswear-ey look! Pants are hard on my shape so I don’t really do it lately, but I have in the past and I might again someday. ;o)
Awa
I might be in the minority but I actually like vests. I wonder why this topic hasn’t come up before because I think that styled right they are the sweet spot between formal and casual, and can be a fun way to create a somewhat androgynous look. Esquire or GQ can provide inspiration seeing as this is a look that works for well for guys. Way comfier than a blazer if you live in a very warm climate and don’t have to be too formal.
IMO a vest should at least cover/touch the waist band of the bottom you are wearing it with. Also they look better if the top underneath is fitted. My favorites from the short vests above are No. 1 and 4. For the long drapey vests I like No. 2 and 3. The rest look either boxy(see No. 1) or too loose/shapeless(see No.4). I have a black vest from H&M and I tend to wear it with a black shirt that has subtle purple stripes (untucked) and jeans. You can also wear a vest with a skirt provided they both go together–not necessarily matchy-matchy but there has to be some coordination. Or something I’ve seen in TV shows (Mindy Project) – a simple shift dress usually in black worn with white T-shirt or button down underneath. Never thought of sweaters as an alternative but I guess that could work too. Although I don’t think a regular sleeved sweater counts as a vest.
anon-oh-no
I love them.
NavyLawyer
Agreed. I wear a somewhat fitted vest with a fitted, tucked-in blouse underneath. The neckline must be right – a scoop neck or turtleneck look decidedly masculine. I prefer blouses that button to your neck (a la Working Girl), though it’s easy to look too young, so the quality must be high. Polka dots are good because the print is covered enough not to be overwhelming. MJ’s point about the length is perfect. My favorite outfit is a black vest and matching pants, and subtle pattern, and colored shoes that match the pattern.
NavyLawyer
That is, a subtle pattern on the blouse, not the vest!
OMG
I had a blue medium-wale corduroy vest and matching trousers that I got from JC Penney (so much chic-er than Sears) in the 1980s. I wore them to school with g-d knows what: white turtleneck from LLBean? Sneakers and athletic socks? And braces on my teeth.
It was an earnest effort at not wearing acid washed jeans, neon, leg warmers, or something from Au Coton.
But I just cannot do that again.
Diana Barry
Oh, how I loved the vest I wore in high school with a white shirt and a super long chiffony floral skirt (90s!).
Reiss usually has at least one suiting vest a season. I also really like how Ellen wears hers. You could probably DVR the show and watch the wardrobe credits at the end!
Cream Tea
I do the occasional shrunken sweater vest over a buttoned shirt or blouse. Not quite the same – but easier to wear. Also prevents The Great Problem of gaping at the buttonholes.
anon
Any recommendations for sweater vests? They are a little easier to style…
Jordan
I’m loving both of these looks. I’ve always been partial to vests, but a lot of the ones I find are too…. grandmother-ly (no offense to grandmas, but I am not one yet!) These look great.
olivia
I LOVE vests and wear them all the time! I look at menswear-for-women and queer fashion blogs for ideas on styling vests. One of my favorites: http://idreamofdapper.com/
There tends to be a range from casual to work appropriate to black-tie, so you have to sift for things that will work for you. You can find lots of ideas that translate to office-wear even if they aren’t intended as such in the photo.