Are Sweater Vests Cool?

The sweater vest has never been a garment of much acclaim or excitement. It has long been associated as a go-to piece for nerds, golfers, your grandfather and depressed middle-aged men. They are also always being shown in a horrible pattern or styled in an unflattering way.  American football coaches have worn them. Jim Tressel has even been given the nickname of “the sweater vest by fans.” Their history hasn’t exactly paved the way for them to be esteemed by the fashion community. They really have never been given a chance to shine and reach their full potential, though.

The sweater vest actually has some great perks to it. For one it doesn’t force the wearer into having to choose between being warm and wanting to have a full range of arm movement. As well as it can be a simple way to liven up jeans and a t-shirt or be worn in a dressier style.  It can take any outfit and liven it up with a pop of color or a nice pattern. Perhaps this is why it is becoming a go-to item for fashionable cool girls all over Instagram and Pinterest.

In the new Hulu show, High Fidelity, Zoe Kravitz is spotted wearing a nice moss green one. Styled on top of a white t-shirt with jeans and sneakers the whole outfit makes for an effortlessly cool look. When you take a look around Pinterest, you see some ladies rocking them as mini dresses with a chunky combat boot for a more grunge look. Others have taken a more traditional approach styling it with the classic button-down, trousers and an oxford. It makes for a delightful, preppy New England vibe with a hint of high fashion. While still, some have gone bold with a 70s style pattern blouse worn with the biggest sunglasses for an outfit the screams funk and groovy vibes. Another simpler route is if it’s made out of a comfortable material you can wear just like a shirt itself with nothing underneath for a nice spring. Argyle and bare arms and you’re out the door.

One of the best things about this trend it that it’s easy to find and affordable to purchase. I have two different ones both that I have found at thrift stores that I paid $5 or less for.  You can find some really unique colored and pattern ones on Depop around the $20 range. I have also seen some really great ones on Etsy. Urban Outfitters had a really cute cropped option on its website as well.

Go forth and give the sweater vest new life. Embrace the grandpa style or take a new route and make it your own, because the sweater vest not only gives the wearer arm movement but an abundance of styling opportunities.

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