10 Ways to Wear a Vest Without Going Full Midtown Uniform

Remember Midtown Uniform? Well, there’s a way to style vests without falling into that corporate-casual pitfall. With a little creativity, vests have all the potential in the world to be chic. After all, they are perfect for that moment between winter and spring, when it is breezy, but you don’t want, or even need, to commit to a jacket with sleeves. Just because sporty vests are generally associated with all things related to bro culture, sports, and New England—and they have certainly been in the news a lot lately—doesn’t mean they can’t be a surprisingly daring layering option for spring.

Take what we’ve seen on the streets, for example. A vest looks great when juxtaposed with a long dress, as it does with the slightly more obvious choice of a pair of baggy pants and boots. Try a cozy shearling piece in a bright hue or a wool fleece in cream for windier days. Keep an eye out for vests with lots of pockets, too, so you can travel purse-free and channel some outdoorsy vibes.