Vest Recommendations

[Ron]

I am new to the world of vests and looking for advice.

I want to wear them as with a dress shirt and dark wash denim and also under a blue cotton blazer or a brown tweed sports jacket.

I really like this one https://factory.jcrew.com/p/F5142

and Amazon has ones from Gioberti at $20 that get good reviews although they are polyester rayon.

Any recommendation on specific types, colors and places to purchase?

Thanks in advance.

[Galcobar]

One recommendation: don't get one which fits like the linked vest. The vest is supposed to be long enough to cover your shirt and belt all the way around, to create a smooth silhouette, not leave a ring of shirt fabric sticking out. There's a reason why the alternate name for a vest is waistcoat.

Also, if you're wearing the vest by itself it should be self-backed, that is the same outer fabric front and back. Otherwise it looks like an orphan from a three-piece suit.

[Ron]

One recommendation: don't get one which fits like the linked vest. The vest is supposed to be long enough to cover your shirt and belt all the way around, to create a smooth silhouette, not leave a ring of shirt fabric sticking out. There's a reason why the alternate name for a vest is waistcoat.

Also, if you're wearing the vest by itself it should be self-backed, that is the same outer fabric front and back. Otherwise it looks like an orphan from a three-piece suit.

Thanks for the recommendation. I agree the vest as photographed is too short on the model.

Regarding a self-backed vest. Most of the photos of vests worn casually without a jacket that I have seen usually have the standard satin backing.

Do you know a source for self-backed vests so I could take a look?

[Shade]

I recommend that you dont get one. Wearing a waistcoat with anything but a 3-piece suit is a horrible look, especially with jeans, imo.

[Evenflow]

I might try a button-up sweater vest to wear under your sport coats instead. Then you can determine how much you like the vest look, with a normal looking vest; and expand from there, if necessary.

[Dun]

Do you know a source for self-backed vests so I could take a look?

Made to measure will let you get self backed. Get matching pants when you can.


I can’t afford the jackets usually so I thrift casual jackets.

I’d stick to highly textured vest/pants, like the ones linked in the first post. That model must have a crazy long torso for it not cover the pants, I’ve never had that problem with jcrew/jcf before

[JBarwick]

@Dun - What is happening in that bottom pic? Wallet chain, hemp necklace, and denim jacket with suit pants and a vest?

[Dun]

@Dun - What is happening in that bottom pic? Wallet chain, hemp necklace, and denim jacket with suit pants and a vest?

Hemp? Do you mean the waxed cord on my hook? It was a gift from my wife and the bone is finally getting a decent patina. It usually hangs below the shirt opening but with my arm raised like that you can see a bit

The leather strap I just cut real quick for my work keys. I cannot lose those

[whereismurder]

I tried a thread like this a while ago, brace yourself for a boatload of hate.

Express and suitsupply have good looking vests IMO though.

[Ron]

I tried a thread like this a while ago, brace yourself for a boatload of hate.

Express and suitsupply have good looking vests IMO though.

Appreciate the info. Thanks.