The year of the vest?

[chorse123]

It feels like I'm seeing outwear vests everywhere this year, and not just the puffy down version. Have I been heretofore blind to this fundamental sartorial element of fall? Or is it simply a trend?

 

[edmorel]

Have you seen the quilted sude or lambskin vest in the window Hickey Freeman flagship on 5th?

I'm not a sweater vest type of guy, but these outwear vests look real good, especially with cords and suede boots.

 

[whnay.]

Trend.

I've always felt vests for outerwear were somewhat useless. It seems that the window to use them to any effect is very small in most places. Plus I think they just look misplaced in relation to a autumn coat or a waxed cotton jacket.

 

[johnapril]

A down vest is nice in the mountains, especially in South Asia. Linen or cotton or wool in the city in spring and summer as an alternative to a coat.

 

[chorse123]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Have you seen the quilted sude or lambskin vest in the window Hickey Freeman flagship on 5th?

I'm not a sweater vest type of guy, but these outwear vests look real good, especially with cords and suede boots.

I haven't, but I'll be sure to check it out. Syms has some nice navy blue sueded cotton Hickey Freeman vests for under $100 - you should check them out. I think they look great, but for some reason the cut around the neck and shoulders looks strange on me.

I have a navy down vest from J.Crew (lined in bright green) which I like and wore a lot this year in early spring, on those days when it was too cold in the morning for a heavy jacket, but I needed something. It is remarkably warm. Of course, more outerwear means a tighter fit in my front closet.

The bottom left vest is from Barneys - they have them in olive, orange, and navy as well. They're pretty nice. I saw something remarkably similar at the warehouse sale, but unfortunately not in my size. This one has a rather cool lining:

I've recently come around on sweater vests. Under a sportcoat, especially if the v-neck is high, they look just like a normal sweater, but give you more arm freedom.

 

[AlanC]

I've always found vest jackets unsatisfying. If it's cold enough for a jacket, I want sleeves. If it's not, I don't want the bother of outerwear in the first place. I suppose I could understand them as actual activewear, if you needed warmth while still maintaining arm mobility.

 

[johnapril]

Originally Posted by AlanC

I've always found vest jackets unsatisfying. If it's cold enough for a jacket, I want sleeves. If it's not, I don't want the bother of outerwear in the first place. I suppose I could understand them as actual activewear, if you needed warmth while still maintaining arm mobility.

Time for a walk:

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by whnay.

Trend.

+1

A good trend though. I like vests when layering because there's more layers w/o the bulk of sleeves.

 

[MrRogers]

Loro piana has some incredible offerings but I just cant justify 750$ for a nylon vest. My father grabbed a LP vest a few years back; pumpkin colored, quilted cashmere...gorgeous piece

MrR

 

[chorse123]

I saw some nice Loro Piana vests at Davide Cenci for 60% off. Still too pricey, in my opinion, but nice.

 

[Will]

They are useful for cool weather golf.