I've Given In to the Vest Trend for Good—Here Are 10 Ways to Wear One

Some may say a vest is a trendy item that is having its moment but won't be around for a while, but I have to disagree. Whether it's a knit version or tailored, I think it's the perfect layering piece that I'll be coming back to every fall. It's hard for me to not end up throwing one on over every outfit. White button-down? Vest. Maxi dress? Vest. While layering may come easy to me, there have been plenty of vest looks on Instagram that I've been saving for the fall time to try out myself and to give you some inspiration for the upcoming season.

Below, I've rounded up 10 looks from Instagram using all kinds of vests and multiple shopping options if you want to add one to your closet. I'm warning you—be prepared for the vest to become your favorite layering essential this fall.

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(Image credit: @deborabrosa)

You most likely have a white button-down sitting in your closet, and it's perfect to pair with a vest. To avoid things looking too formal, add pants in a different shade.

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(Image credit: @greceghanem)

When in doubt, opt for a matching set. It's an easy look that can do no wrong.

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(Image credit: @katcollings)

How many vests are too many vests? Who What Wear's editor in chief proves that the limit does not exist.

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(Image credit: @hannastefansson)

While I love a matching set, mixing and matching different shades looks just as good. Although vests are normally considered polished pieces, Hanna proves that you can dress them down with Birkenstocks.

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(Image credit: @fashionwithjazz)

A leather blazer may be your go-to in the colder weather, but consider adding a leather vest to your rotation.

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Thick cable-knit sweaters were seen all over the F/W 21 runways. If you're looking for a knit outfit for the transitional weather, opt for a cable-knit vest and coordinating shorts.

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(Image credit: @raeannlangas)

Channel your inner Britney Spears with a denim vest ensemble.

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(Image credit: @annadominguez)

Keep it casual but polished with a pair of straight-leg jeans and chunky boots.

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(Image credit: @discodaydream)

If it's warm enough, a vest can just be a top.

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(Image credit: @thatgirlyusra)

My favorite way to dress up a sweater-vest? Pairing it with a loose maxi dress.

Shop more vests:

Next, Splurge vs. Steal: Your Cheat Sheet to the Biggest Fall 2021 Trends

Assistant Market Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.