Demystifying the vest

When it comes to vests, it’s a thin line that which sets them as classic menswear staples and apart from a waiter’s uniform. What was once an unmistakable presence in the wardrobe of any so called gentleman, has in time, become associated mostly with highly formal occasions or the downgrading common ground of working attire. Thankfully, the recent sartorial influences in menswear have been slowly bringing back this iconic piece, mainly through the growing popularity of the 3 piece suit. With more and more young men sporting suits as means of self expression instead of wearing them solely to the office, the suit breakdown has allowed vests to breathe and once again take their rightful place in men’s fashion. 

The truth is the vest is one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe: wear it as the third piece in a suit for timeless elegance, pair it with slacks for a put together look or by itself with a shirt and denim for an unusual twist. This speckled vest was a 2£ find at a London vintage shop and although not being part of a suit, it’s a great way to add a polished feel to a look. Here I paired it with more relaxed elements such as chinos and boat shoes while keeping it sharp with a spread collar shirt and paisley pocket square. Love how the complementing shades on the bracelets, pocket square, watch and chinos all come together for visual coherence. 

Details: vintage speckled navy vest, MTO white spread collar shirt by AGVA, faded blue chinos by Zara, brown/blue suede boat shoes by Buttero, paisley pocket square by Add On, ribbon belt by Purificacion Garcia, bracelets by H&M, vintage Citizen chronograph and nato strap by Smart Turnout.

Model and styling: Miguel Vieira