This Unlikely Knitwear Trend Has Become a Winter Staple

If you lived through the '90s, the concept of a knitted vest might conjure up images of Chandler Bing sitting at Central Perk drinking an oversized coffee and making sarcastic comments amongst his friends. Though, fast-forward almost 30 years, and the once-stuffy clothing item now carries some very different connotations. 

As the cool-girl item of choice for editors and influencers, knitted vests have been given a decidedly fashionable makeover of late. The item was seen on the runways of Dior, Prada and Lacoste during the A/W 20 runway shows and has appeared in collections by buzzy brands including Ganni. From oversize cable-knit styles to patterned iterations with contrast colour trim, these are certainly not the same sweater vests you might remember from the '90s. 

Of course, it didn't take long for the style set to adopt the trend. In summer, several knitted vests were spotted at Copenhagen Fashion Week and the trend has since started popping up all over our Instagram feeds. In terms of styling, for the summer months, oversized versions of the item were worn alone alongside shorts and jeans, while for cooler days, sweater vests are being paired with collared shirts or over the top of long-sleeve midi dresses. Keep scrolling to see knitted vests in street style and on the runway, and then shop the item below.

Knitted vests on the A/W 20 runway: 

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(Image credit: Courtest of Dior)

A knitted vest on the Dior runway. 

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(Image credit: Getty)

Knitted vests also appeared at Prada. 

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Lacoste)

A knitted vest on the Lacoste runway.

How influencers are styling knitted vests: 

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(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Style Notes: In the most popular way to wear this trend, Amaka pairs her knitted vest alongside a white button-down shirt. 

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: This Copenhagen fashion week showgoer has paired her Ganni sweater vest alongside a long-sleeve midi dress, which is exactly the way we'll be wearing it this autumn. 

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(Image credit: @_jessicaskye)

Style Notes: Take a leaf out of Jessica Skye's book and wear your sweater vest alongside a blouse and leather trousers. 

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(Image credit: @chainkyr)

Style Notes: Make your knit vest the hero of the outfit by investing in a striking shade. 

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(Image credit: @brittanybathgate)

Style Notes: We'll call this school uniform chic, here Brittany Bathgate pairs her vest alongside a shirt, trousers and mary janes. 

Shop knitted vests: 

Next up, the biggest S/S 20 fashion trends you need to know. 

Promo image: @tineandreaa

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