The Vest is Your Best Bet for Fall 2024 Styling

Date: August 8, 2024

It’s time to let go of any preconceived notions you have about vests, because they are the go-to layering piece of the season — and we’re obsessed! No, vests aren’t solely reserved for sitcom nerds, Indiana Jones, or servers. They’re for everyone, and after you give them a styling spin or two, you’ll see exactly what we mean.

If you were an ‘80s or ‘90s kid, you probably wore your fair share of vests in your youth: denim vests, colorful fleece vests, classic black vests for onstage performances, and the list goes on! While those were all great at the time, today’s vests are more chic than childish, and they’re the perfect way to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall.

Ahead, get our best tips on how to wear a vest for fall 2024 and beyond.

Find your vest vibe

Before bravely venturing into the vest world and learning how to wear a vest, figure out what kind of vibe you want to convey. Are you looking for something super casual or more polished? Are you hanging out on the weekend, planning a date night, or heading on a work trip that includes cocktail hours and lots of meetings? This is an easy way to help you get started — not to mention discover how versatile vests really are in your wardrobe.

How to wear a tailored vest

No, a tailored vest doesn’t have to look like you’re waiting tables or going to prom. It can be super chic when styled correctly! Stick to natural fabrics like cotton or linen when possible, as well as neutral shades like black, white, rust, khaki, and army green. Tailored vests shine with simple outfits, like a classic basic tank and jeans, but we also like them over a printed or solid mini or knee-length dress to add polish.

Another bonus of the tailored vest is that they’re also great on their own. More on that below!

How to wear a sweater vest

While layering a slim-fitting sweater vest over an Oxford button-down shirt instantly signals officewear, the sweater vest has way more potential than just the boardroom. We like it as a more casual layering piece, because the key to nailing a sweater vest is not to take it too seriously.

To dip your toe into the trend, try a single-color sweater vest over a plain white T-shirt and see how it feels, or wear it in place of a shirt like a tank top. Sweater vests are an easy way to add texture to any outfit; toss one on with denim cutoffs and sandals now, then try it with cargo pants in the fall. Cozy up a summer dress with a little knitwear action or wear a sweater vest with your in-flight outfit to battle chilly plane temps and maximize your styling potential once you arrive at your destination.

How to wear a denim vest

You didn't think we’d round up our favorite vests and not mention denim vests, did you? At Trendsend, we believe that denim is an absolute essential in everyone’s wardrobe, and that theory definitely applies to your top layers too. A denim vest is the easiest way to add edge to a super-feminine outfit or dress down anything that feels too fancy or ruffly. Toss it over a slip dress or sundress. Mix and match your denim shades and wear a dark vest with light jeans or vice versa. Denim vests also look great with black, especially a black dress or black jeans.

How to wear a vest as a top

It’s less scary than it sounds, trust us.

A fitted black or white button-down vest is sophisticated and sexy, especially with matching pants for a twist on the matching set or with your favorite denim shorts or jeans.

If you prefer a looser silhouette, try a vest that looks more like a shell top instead of something with buttons and wear it as you would a tank top. We also love a button-down sweater vest as a top, especially a loose-fitting version, or a half-zip style. Then, style it as you normally would, because the vest-as-a-shirt look is nothing if not easy and effortless.