I hate vests. Vests scare me. No, seriously, vest really do scare me. I think it’s because they look a too much like corsets or because I had a very strange elementary school teacher who used to wear a faux suede vest (she had them in every color) with long brown corduroy skirts. Even at the tender age of 9, I knew that there was something very wrong with her outfit. Very wrong
But.. vests are back in style and, like the return of stone wash jeans, I must learn to except it.
So what do you think?
Vests: Yea or Nay?
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{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Yuck yuck yuck! This reminds me of the fringed crocheted vest my Grandmother made for me in the 7th grade, and my mom made me wear it once so I could tell Grandma about how much I loved it. That could have been my most traumatic fashion faux pas ever. Seriously, as an ample-bosomed woman I learned quickly that vests make it look like I’m wearing a very unflattering sports bra on the outside of my clothing. Definitely a nah!
Let’s hope that if vests come back they don’t look like that!
Hells to the hells nah! For some reason in middle school vests, turtlenecks and those hideous bright shiny leggings were in style. I CANNOT even look at a vest w/o traumatic tween flashbacks. I do give a nod to down puffer vests though….a must for upstate NY.
I love a great vest! But instead of pairing them like the above one, or like your teacher did, I think you have to wear them like Dr. Cameron on House M.D. (for example). I have one that I wear the hell out of it—it instantly changes a simple outfit like jeans and a t-shirt, or something as fancy as heels and a silk blouse.
That vest is scaaaaary. Yikes. It looks like something Napolean Dynamite would wear.
Every few years, the fashion world tries once more to shove us into menswear. The vest, for whatever reason, gets revamped and slapped in front of us. Uh, no. Save it for my elderly uncle who has a watch on a chain. I’m more apt to wear a sweater vest, but even that doesn’t look all that flattering. Let’s just go with a nice shirt and a jacket, okay?
I sure as heck hope THAT particular vest isn’t back in style…!
What a brutally unfair photo for a vest poll! Hehe. I’d vote no on *that* vest in a heartbeat – but in generally, I do think they have their place in fashion (both casual and business). A bit of warmth, some panache (something many business looks fail to achieve) while managing to stay within the bounds of conservatism required in some professions. Perfect!
I would say a BIG nah to the vest above, but I definitely think some vests are pretty swoon-worthy, when worn with the appropriate pieces of course.
I love vests – just not the one you have pictured. They are great for accenting an outfit or changing it up without having ten different accessories.
I love vest. Just not the one in the picture. Of Course
nay to vests, no matter if they match an outfit or not, they are just oddly cut and make a good outfit bad.
i would say for some vest yay! however, if voting based on this particular vest, my vote must be cast as a nay.
I don’t object to vests as a general concept, but that photo illustrates a fashion DON’T!
Oh, ick.
I don’t wear vests or blouses. And I most especially would never wear THAT vest and THAT blouse together!
Grandma, is that you?!
I just finished getting rid of all my “blousy” vests. I kept the onces that look like outdoor ones but are really fashion ones. The one in the pic is definitely hideous.
When vests were sort of in about 10 years ago dare I say I had a southwestern one, a holiday one with scotties on it, a vintage man’s suit vest and several others. They were a nice accessory – but that was then. However for those who are well endowed in the chest area it’s challenging for everything to properly fit. Vests are harder than blazers to really fit and not drape weird. I say, like with stonewash jeans, some fashion trends should remain with those too young to remember how foolish the trend was.
Gawd! THIS vest is hideous! But I’m actually on the lookout for a cute vest to wear open over a white T w/jeans. I think it’s a cute look and one of the ways I can do “fall” in AZ where it’s still in the 90’s today.
Wait. I just re-read the post and realized you said you have to accept it along with “stonewashed jeans.” Is that true? Stonewash is back?! Eek! That means the dreaded “acid wash” can’t be far behind.
This is a BLOG, not Marie Claire.. If you think a fashion mag is being “fair” you are a bit naive. Fashion Magazines has unwritten rules that feature some designers/products more than others based on the amount of ad space they bought in the mag.
That being said, you’re right.. I am biased. I don’t like vests. and because it’s my blog, I have the right to express my opinions and I encourage you to agree or disagree.
P.S. I didn’t have to look very hard to find this picture…
Yay vests… but not that one in the pic! I have a slim fitting, black sweater vest, in a fine gauge knit. My favourite way to wear it is with a short sleeved tie neck chiffon top, pencil skirt, and heels.
stone wash is back.. along with the stir-up pant.
be very, very afraid
eewww
Yikes, that is one scary vest… I think it totally depends on the style of the vest, but I mostly avoid them.
The vest featured in this post is absolutely hideous, but some of the other vests I’ve seen that are cropped and cut close to the body are actually not bad. I think vests are appropriate for work or perhaps a laidback night out but other than that, I don’t see myself getting much use out of one. I also definitely say NAY to denim vests, but some people can pull them off. I recall seeing a photo of Elle MacPherson rocking a cropped one and she looked really good.
Regarding vests: You stated that you thought you’d “have to learn to except it.” Was the use of the word ‘except’ intentional, or did you mean ‘accept’? Read like a Freudian slip to me. (Now there’s a cute outfit – a vest with a slip.)
I love vests! I’ve seen them worn very cutely, fitted to the person. I don’t like the one you picked to show the trend though – it’s not really accurate of the menswear inspired vests out there in fashion right now, most of which are more in the style of suits or at least plain fabric, as opposed to an ugly knit. And I think a well-fitted vest can actually be very slimming, so you might want to look at them again.
Generally speaking, yay to vests, but why do plus size “designers” insist on making sweater vests with shirt sleeves and collars sewn in?
In general: nay, nay, nay!
The exception is vests that are more corset than vest. It’s a nice feminine touch, in my opinion, when paired with the right blouse. Menswear vests, though…. bleh!
If you’re talking about the vest above … HELL NO!!! I might have nightmares about it! Other vests, I have no problem with. I love golf vests. They’re preppy and conservative with color. Also men’s vests to give me that “Annie Hall” look. Tie and everything. Watch, it’ll come back.
I agree with one of the posters above. THIS vest, ilk, hell no. But I am fond of the fitted vests that you wear a tee under. Casual and cute.
I briefly remember this look back in the 80’s. Yuck then yuck now. The “fashionistas” can keep their 80’s mess. I guess I’ll be not so fashionable for a while.
It’s obviously a biased choice for the picture. It’s a little irritating for a fashion writer to be so narrowly opinionated… I’ve seen a lot of vests that are down right cute..You had to look pretty hard to find this hideous old lady pic
You just found an ugly vest. No reason to put people down who don’t agree with you. No reason to have a vote posted if biase is the plan.
Hi, I love the look of a vest, & wear one to work almost every day. My uniform is a plain white men’s shirt with a navy blue skirt or slacks. My vests give me the opportunity to add a little color & jazz it up! My boss likes how I look & lots of customers who comes into the store comment on how wonderful my vests look. P.S. I also wear it with a scarf tied into an ascot or a bow. It is my chance to fashion it up!
Blogs are the opinions of others, therefore blogs are inherently biased. Several blogs do not post comments that do not agree with their position.
I don’t like vests, but that doesn’t mean that others don’t and I haven’t restricted the comments of those who do.
To say that it’s naive to think that fashion mags aren’t biased is not a put down- it’s a response based on the comment.
It’s debate about vest… and on TBF we often have heated debates about fashion issues and just like I’m challenged by you readers- other readers and myself can challenge you. We don’t allow empty statements on this site.
So if you are unable to handle someone challenging your opinions or statements, really this isn’t the blog for you.
I’m old enough to be everyone here’s grandmother, for sure, and I have seen vests come and go. Remember the “big shirt” and vest combo? If you don’t, then count yourself as fortunate. Some menswear looks can be pulled off if you’re slim and feminine, or have that gamine appeal. Otherwise, you end up looking like “Pat” in an old Saturday Night Live skit. (Elle MacPherson would look good if she was wearing a tarp, so she doesn’t count.) I think it all comes down to body type. You should wear what looks good on YOU, despite the fashion of the season. If the vest fits, wear it.
Freaking WOW! I’m telling you guys, the fashion world is running a muck with a capital Y! We can’t get fashion into the affordable stores therefore the worst of the 80’s must be revisited?? Insane!
NAY all the way! Like sweater dresses, these look cute in ads and on the hanger, and then pretty awful once you get them on in person. Even with the more stylish fitted ones, you really need to be a skinny-minnie to pull these off well.
For those who would like a trendy, cool vest for a low price, there are around 5 different ones for sale in the Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker line at Steve & Barry’s, where every piece is under $20!
There are dressy black or gray, corduroy navy or tan, and blue denim! I personally have the black and gray ones, which go great with some jeans and a t-shirt for a neat look.