How to Wear a Vest Like It's 2024 (Plus, One Look That's Best Left in the '90s)

What’s better than one fashionable trend? Two. ICYMI, full skirts have also made a HUGE comeback this season, and when paired with a sleek vest that nips in at the waist, it’s unbelievably chic. As a minimalist myself, I’d take a page out of the stylish Dior attendee above and stick to a black and white color palette, adding pops of color with a handbag or other accessories, but I’ve also seen people dress it down, too. Some Adidas Sambas (don’t forget the Gen Z sock trick!) or loafers can add just enough of a grungy edge to balance out the more masculine vest and feminine skirt.

As a longtime fan of tie tops, I’m more than thrilled that this Copenhagen look is finally getting the recognition it deserves. This is your sign to put aside your more traditional vests (for the time being) and play around with tie-front designs. It looks especially good when you lean into the frilly and playful nature of the strings by opting for ruffled pants, skirts or shorts, as seen above, but it will also look great with a staple pair of jeans. Keep it elevated with a sexy, strappy heel for the ultimate girl’s night out look.

If you’re the type of person who loves to layer, then this styling hack is for you. Come fall, you’ll want to start considering dressing for the cooler temperatures, so rather than wear a vest as your base, try leaving it unbuttoned over an oversize shirt. The key here is to make sure that your shirt is ultra-relaxed and loose around your body then include a straight-lined vest that doesn’t cinch in at the waist or have button fixtures. If you want to look like you walked off The Row’s runway, try pairing it with a straight-leg capri pant and a lustrous heeled mule.

Black and white is nice and all, but sometimes a vibrant shade is just what the doctor ordered. The next time you go shop in store or online, you’ll notice that vests come in a slew of prints and bold shades, often with a pair of trouser pants or shorts to match. While you can wear it as-is and let the splash of color speak for itself, I find that if you incorporate more prints and textures, like a long-sleeve stripe or polka-dot shirt and studded ballet flats, it can be quite cool and complementary.

If there’s one item most French women love, it’s a bias cut skirt. But did you know that one way they prefer to style a silk skirt is with—you guessed it—a vest? That’s right, a V-neck bespoke vest is à la mode, as the French say, making for a polished outfit oozing with that je ne sais quoi Americans admire. For a streamlined finish that effortlessly flows despite the difference in materials, stick to one colorway. Don’t worry, you can still add in bright colors and lots of texture with accessories, from candy apple ballet flats with straps to layers of gold necklaces.

When in doubt, match it out. Many of my colleagues know how much I adore a matching set, and the same goes for a vest and trouser combo that can go from the office to happy hour in an instant. It’s versatile, it’s tailored and it can be worn as separates—that’s multiple looks in one. If you want a polished and professional look that reads more cocktails and less conference calls, be sure to invest in a set that isn’t too form-fitting. Think: pleats, wide-leg pants, straight-fitting vests, etc. The more movement, the less stiff and corporate you look.

On those days when you don’t want to dress like you’ve just left your nine-to-five, but you still want something elevated, try wearing your vest with long Bermuda shorts or trouser shorts. It’s in the same realm as the previous look, but the sexy peek of leg counterbalances the prim and conservative vibe of the suit. Keep the length and add a touch of casualness with a heeled thong. It’ll help dress down the vest without taking your focal point away from its intricacies. 

On the other hand, there’s no rule stating that you must match your vest to your pants, shorts or skirts. The outfit above is a testament to your tried-and-true baby blues, which can strike a seamless balance between the formality of the vest and informality of jeans. Some things to note: Keep to a vest that doesn’t button down all the way, as the bottom flare is flattering and won’t awkwardly cut your waist in half (especially talking to you, petites) and select straight-leg or wide-leg jeans rather than skinny; think about following the shape of the vest rather than competing against it. For a weekend-ready look, an open-toed shoe and everyday black handbag will always get the job done.

I love a throwback-inspired ensemble just as much as the next fashionista, but some pairings are best kept in the past. Case in point, this ‘90s-meets-early-aughts assemblage that has too much going on. The white T-shirt and gingham vest pairing is straight out of a ‘90s sitcom, which could work today if the buttons were left undone or you nix the undershirt. As for the bottoms, I know that capris are in and all, but there’s something so 2004 about the faded wash, denim material and cuffed hem; and that’s not including the kitten heel, either. At the end of the day, it reads I don’t know which decade I’m in.