The Rules for Sweater Vests – (above) J. Crew Merino Solid Vest $49.50
Originally Published 8/10/2010
The sweater vest is loved by some (my hand is raised) and hated by many (probably most of you). Like a lot of things that are polarizing, this is the case because it’s almost always worn the wrong way. It’s high time some rules were laid down, and the sweater vest once again regained it’s rightful place in the pantheon of cool clothes next to the Leather Jacket and Levi’s 501.
Okay, that’s a stretch, but… it’s time to remove it from the nerd pile. Here’s the guidelines…
1. Keep it Slim – The quickest way to go from sleek and athletic to Wilford Brimley is by wearing a vest that’s not fitted. Only buy vests that fit close to your body and don’t produce fabric love handles. If it’s even the slightest bit baggy at the sides, don’t buy it. Two of the best fitted sweater vests out there are the J. Crew Merino Wool (seen above), and the Banana Republic silk/cotton/cashmere blend.
2. Keep it Simple – Avoid busy patterns on the sweater. No fair isle or anything similar. Dark and solid is best, and if you want to mix in patterns do it with the shirt that you’re wearing under it.
3. Layer Up – Think you’re done with just a shirt and the vest? Consider a tie, then a blazer too. Fitted sweater vests are a super light layer that’ll slide well between you and a jacket.
4. Favor Jeans – You don’t have to wear chinos. Try those already mentioned 501s with some boots.
5. Never wear it with short sleeves – You aren’t Justin Timberlake. Wear a long sleeved shirt underneath. Rolled up sleeves are more than okay (see above) but a short sleeved shirt and vest just looks too hip for the room.
(Time to take a vote. Thumbs up or thumbs down on the sweater vest, taking into consideration those rules)
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Looks good on some, and these rules are definitely solid. However it is my belief that the sweater vest simply does not look good on some people.
I think my mind has just been changed about the sweater vest. I do foresee it coming back this year, perhaps in full-force this Spring?
Looks great in that first photo example anyway.
Spring?!? That’s a long way away and jumping over 2 very important seasons 🙂 I do like the sweater vest look, but have not tried it out on myself yet. I’ll have to make a field trip over to J.Crew/BR to see what I can get away with.
Thank you! I’ve always loved the idea, but have had some bad experiments in the past.
I’m a big fan of the Svest, but I definitely agree that they don’t look good on some people…myself included, being as short (5′ 7″) as I am.
Here’s what I want to know: What jeans is the guy wearing in the picture? I’m really digging those as much as the shirt/vest.
Solid rules. But I as well am not a fan of the sweater vest. Its not my style. I’m more of a down windbreaker vest. Or a v-neck sweater with long sleeves. I feel that the vest takes away from my shirt and my tie and even my suit if I were to wear it underneath that. Then again, layering is not one of my strengths when it comes to dressing.
Joe, you’re so right — they must not be a loose fit. My grey vest looks great beneath my Gap corduroy blazer with a pair of dark jeans… topped off with a cool pair of boots or other manly shoes.
I’ve long been a sweater vest proponent. An oxford-cloth button-down, narrow tie, and jeans, capped off with a charcoal or navy sweater vest is a great look and, especially down here in the south, very comfortable during warmer months.
By the way, Matt, my hunch is that the jeans in the picture are the new(ish?) 484 slim fit selvedge. They look nice, but at $148 bucks, they’re not exactly cheap.
Sweater vests are fly – but I have to say, Fair Isle can look real boss. If you’re going for the outdoors “Bean” look, it’s easy to pull off esp. with some raw jeans, a desert boot loud shirt underneath. Think more tailgating than dinner out with your girl. Keep up the great posts guys.
-Dave
Nice article. I think I only have 1 sweater vest right now, but it (thankfully) fits the rules.
What do you guys think of button-up sweater vests? Good variation or fashion no-no?
I don’t think bigger barrel chested guys with shoulders can pull off this look so well :/
When you mention short sleeves and a sweater vest, I think of Doug Funnie before I think of Justin Timberlake.
Rule: Never wear them
The solid rule for vests is the following: NEVER wear a sweater vest
I remember this article. I have a few sweater vests and they fit the guidelines here. Whenever I wear one, people compliment me all day.
I agree, as long as it’s a slim sweater vest and in a solid color you’re good. Plus, if you do layer it with a blazer, it looks just like a v-neck sweater. I think if you’re fit they look pretty decent, but kinda draw attention to your gut if you’ve got one.
I think sweater vests are great, but I disagree with Rule #2 and agree with David J.
A fair isle or an argyle under a tweed jacket looks awesome.
You have my support for SV. The tricks are knowing what occasion to wear it and being able to do so without looking like you are trying too hard.
What about shoulder fit? I’ve always found it annoying when the width of the vests shoulders do not closely match the shoulder seams on the shirt.
The model in the picture above has a sweater vest thats not even close to hitting his shoulder seams – doesn’t that make his shoulders look smaller/out of proportion and/or make his shirt look ill-fitting?
No, no big deal with the shoulders?