Not Your Grandfather's Sweater Vest
The perfect layering piece.
Hi!
Can I sell you on the value of a sleeveless sweater in the middle of winter?
I’m going to try.
How about:
The sweater vest is the very best way to layer.
Let me show you.
The sweater vest is a perfect example of a workhorse - a term adopted for fashion by the fabulous
(who also generously featured my workhorses - and showponies - this week. So fun - thank you, Sogole!).
But back to the sweater vest.
It’s hard-working. Multi-tasking. Double-dutying.
A staple of a formal three-piece suit, but also one of the earliest examples of athleisure...
What can’t the sweater vest do?!
Lets rewind.
In the late 1800s, the sweater was created when rowers began wearing heavy knitted woolen tops during practice to work up a sweat and drop pounds to make their boat’s weight class. And then, in 1907, Michigan’s football players were awarded varsity letters sewn onto sweaters without sleeves (which perhaps were too much for their muscular arms?).
Et voila. The sweater vest was born.
By the late 1920s, sweater vests became popular alongside the rise in sporty pursuits like tennis and golf. New round crew necks provided added warmth and 2-4 pockets at the front were useful for holding golf balls, pencils, and cigarettes.1 (Maybe even a snack lol!)
Sweater vests provided warmth, wicking via their wool fibers, and airflow (let those armpits breathe!).
Then, like most entries in the prep style encyclopedia (read more about the history of prep here or below!), the sweater vest morphed from sporty to studious when it entered the schoolyard, and the girls borrowed it from the boys.
And while the sweater vest wasn’t always the cool kid (ok fine, it was kind of the bookworm), recently it’s undergone a makeover.
Like when the nerd loses his glasses and becomes the superhero.
And the sweater vest’s superpower is its versatility.
Myriad Textures. Colors. Patterns. Vee Necks. Crews. Mocks. Turtlenecks. Fitted. Oversized. Chunky. Slim.
The ability to layer it over classic button-up shirts, peasants blouses with balloon sleeves, Peter Pan collared shirts, tissue thin turtlenecks, and crew neck tees (short sleeve and long). Mixing and matching with solid shirts and patterned ones. Paired with wide-leg jeans, colorful pants, maxi skirts, and boho dresses. The opportunities are almost endless.
What really made the sweater vest the valedictorian of my closet was realizing I had the right to bare arms.
You don’t need to layer a sweater vest. In fact, I’d argue it’s even better without it.
This takes it from a cold-weather classic to a 24/7 365 must-have.
I’m not 100% sure the sweater vest in that photo is this one, but I am very tempted to try it. It’s a Big Hitter, and how could you not love a shop with a product selection called By My Mum?
I am also very tempted by this one, which has a similar-looking plushness but is perhaps more of an evergreen option.
Have I convinced you, the jury, yet on the sweater vest’s merits?
How about a little more evidence?
Here are three of my favorite sweater vests (similar, similar, and this) and seven ways to wear them. (I could have come up with way more, but toddler music class called.)
Case closed!
Let me know what you think in the comments section below!
LOOK BOOK
Here are a few more ways I’d style some different sweater vests!
Pretty Preppy
Perfect for a coffee catch-up, a casual Friday, or a PA meeting.
Sporty Chic
Try this for a Girl’s Dinner with your besties. Or a night out after a long day on the slopes.
Small Effort, Big Hitter
I like this for a weekend playdate, a Book Club meeting, or a glass of wine with your friend snuck in between grown-up responsibilities.
Work It
Work this look at work and then straight to drinks and the office goss. You could swap the heels for leopard loafers during the day, if that’s more your speed (it is mine).
Spring Forward
If I lived in a Nancy Meyer film, specifically this one, this is what I would want to wear. Easy, breezy. If you’d prefer to be one-and-done, try this.
IN THE ‘STACKS (and beyond)
The iconic
(of Vogue fame and her delicious novels like Wives Like Us) recently joined Substack and just published a pitch-perfect piece about a slice of her fabulous Cotswolds life. Read it here.- interviewed three fashion writers about their workhorses and showponies, which you can read here, here (our fave ) and here ( )
- shared tips on how to recover from the flu and manage our time better (she just might be the Queen of Good Advice). Her tip to only open your email when you are committed to replying to said email is such a simple, yet mind-blowing one for me. (And February, you do need to be better!)
- (the creative genius behind Alex Mill) wrote a post called InSOMnia (great name) about all the fun things he finds scrolling the internet during the middle of the night when he can’t sleep (I’m in that club, too).
- published her latest Week in Shopping for Puck all about what, if anything, anyone is buying during January…the longest month ever. I love love love reading Sarah’s reporting and writing for Puck. She’s SO GOOD! (I really encourage you all to get a subscription - Puck is the protein of my media diet)
Altadena Girls continues to be such an inspiration. Founded by 14-year old Avery to help provide resources for her friends and community after the Eaton fire, they are now relocating to a permanent space in Pasadena to provide workshops, activities, a communal hang-out space, and more for local girls. These girls deserve this so much, and honestly, I can’t help but think what a brilliant idea this would be all over the country for pre-teen and teen girls to have a safe, cozy, third-space all their own. Read more about Altadena Girls and donate here.
Thanks for reading. See you next Sunday!
x Lindsay
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/best-sweater-vests-for-men/
If Lindsay wrote a book; this would make an awesome chapter. And I would read every single one. I ADORE the way you weave the history of an item with the modern implications of styling it. I bought my first sweater vest last year and I was officially converted. That one by Maragua is droolworthy!!
Lindsay you outdid yourself. This is juicier and more informative than my fondest magazine-golden-era dreams. I also (selfishly) love that vests are Florida-friendly. ++Thank you for the flattering shout out. 🥰