sweater vest season: 12+ vests and outfit ideas

black velvet bow // sweater vest // blue button up // jeans

Sweater vests. Whether you love ’em or hate ’em, they are everywhere this season. I think the Y2K fashions we are seeing on many GenZ influencers and Tik Tokers is continuing into fall, and a preppy sweater vest is a great way to do it (think Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, hello any teen drama from early 2000s fall fashion). While sweater vests are nothing new, the recent surge in popularity of both retro 60s and 70s styles and early 2000s has encouraged brands to keep up with those trends in fall and winter. Sweater vests have gone in and out of trend for decades, so investing in one like you now is sure to be beneficial to you in the long run. I’ll help you find the one for you, whether you want to go classic Chandler Bing or a bit more refined Blair Waldorf.

black bow // white bow blouse // green tweed vest // jeans // cap-toe heels

Sweater vests are a great transitional piece because they add layer without making you too warm. You can find thin or thick ones, tight or loose ones depending on your style preferences and frankly the practicality needed of the product based on your weather, They are a much easier way to layer a preppy button up with than those super tight J.Crew sweaters I used to buy in bulk during high school (y’all remember- you’d always see the buttons poke through the thin sweaters!)

headband // earrings // sweater vest

So we can layer up, look cute, and stay on trend. Some of the sweater vests I am seeing a bit too trendy and GenZ for my taste, but I have found a lot of great ones recently (for a range of prices). And sweater vests don’t have to be trendy! If you find the right ones, you can make it last in your closet for years to come. They are classic and quite practical!

I’ve also included a few outfit ideas in this post so you can start styling sweater vests with ease!

You can click on the images above to shop the post, or find its equivalent link below

classic fit navy // cropped argyle // v-neck black cableknit
white with black trim // solid black tunic // green tweed buttons
pastel retro pattern // cream tunic // white cropped v-neck
cream v-neck cable knit / orange retro paisley // navy with collar

let’s get into the outfit details…

// loose layers and flats //

sweater vest // button down // hair bow // jeans // leopard flats

Find a comfortable, oversized sweater vest and layer it over a crisp button down. Throw on a pair of jeans and flats, and accessorize with bows, headbands, or classic jewelry.

// sweater vest as top //

sweater vest // headband // purse // earrings // jeans // cap-toe heels

If it’s still too toasty out to wear a layered sweater vest look, simply wear the sweater vest on its own! I love this tunic-style one from H+M because it can be worn on its own for a dressier look! You can also dress this down with sneakers.

// dress it up with heels and a crisp button up //

vest (thrifted J.Crew, similar here, here) // button up // jeans // mule heels // purse // earrings

I absolutely love the look of this navy vest with my fave ruffle button up, the same jeans, and a dressy pair of mule heels. It is so classic!

// green tweed //

Channel your inner Blair Waldorf with a tweed sweater vest! I chose to pair this one with a white bow button up, denim, and my fave cap toe heels. Super simple and elegant! (outfit details linked with the same photo near the top of this post)

Hopefully you feel more inspired to tackle the sweater vest trend and make it stick for years to come! Follow me along on Instagram for more outfit details and style tips!

xoxo,
Madison

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