9 Ways to Wear a Lightweight Vest

Wondering how to wear a vest this fall and winter? Read on to discover 9 outfit ideas that feature a lightweight quilted vest, either as a supporting actor or the star of the show.

Vest vs. Waistcoat

Just to get one thing out of the way, when we say "vest" we're talking about outerwear, not the vest that comes with a three piece suit (which we refer to as a waistcoat).

The vests we're talking about are typically made from cotton, nylon, fleece and down. They're meant to add warmth without being too bulky, and they're one of the most underrated types of outerwear for fall and winter.

Lightweight Vests

We recommend avoiding the super puffy, bulky down vests. Instead, go with something a bit thinner and lighter weight. That way, you can wear it on its own or layer it under your favorite jacket.

For example, our Flatiron Vest is ultra thin and sits easily under your jacket, against your torso.

Our Down Vest is also very lightweight, although it offers a bit more natural insulation against the cold.

Both are great choices for guys who want to stay warm and stylish during cooler months.

How to Wear a Vest

Now that we know what a vest is (remember, it's not a waistcoat), and we know why lightweight vests are superior, let's look at some outfit ideas.

Vest Outfit #1: Over a Henley Shirt

Want to know one of the best ways to wear a vest casually? Just throw on a henley shirt and your favorite pair of jeans.

With a neutral colored vest (like navy), you can wear almost any color henley and jeans. For shoes, sneakers or boots are both great choices.

Vest Outfit #2: Under a Field Jacket

Adding on to the first outfit, you can throw on a medium weight jacket for extra warmth.

The field jacket is one of our top picks for fall, and it can even carry you into winter when you layer up with a quilted vest.

Vest Outfit #3: Over a Button Up Shirt

To dress things up a little bit, you can swap the henley shirt for a casual button up.

Leave your shirt untucked for a more casual look, or tuck it in for an office ready getup.

Vest Outfit #4: Smart Casual Layers

Dress things up even more by leaving your shirt tucked in and adding a wool sweater.

This is a timeless smart casual look that works for any occasion, from casual weekends to business casual work days.

Vest Outfit #5: Over a Corduroy Shirt

Corduroy is one of the best fall fabrics. It's got a lot of natural texture and insulation, so it's great for cooler weather.

If you haven't tried a corduroy shirt yet, give it a shot this fall or winter. It's the perfect base layer under a lightweight vest.

Vest Outfit #6: With Shorts

Sometimes you just need a little more insulation for those cool summer nights, but you don't want to carry around a jacket all night. The solution is a lightweight vest.

Thick, bulky puffer vests wouldn't work with shorts, but a thin quilted vest gets the job done without sacrificing style.

Vest Outfit #7: With a Hoodie

For a rugged, layered look, try wearing your vest as an outermost layer over a classic hoodie in light grey.

Pair these top layers with jeans and boots (or sneakers), and you're ready for the weekend.

Vest Outfit #8: Over a Cotton Pullover

If a collared shirt is too dressy, try layering your quilted vest over a cotton pullover (or sweatshirt).

This is a comfy, casual combination that's perfect for spring and fall weather. You can always throw on a jacket for extra warmth.

Vest Outfit #9: Over an Oxford Button Down

If you want to wear a collared shirt but still want to keep things casual, try an untucked Oxford shirt (OCBD).

The Peter Manning NYC Weekend Oxford is cut a bit shorter, so it's perfect for wearing untucked.

Bonus: With a Scarf

With the right layers, you can stay warm without a jacket well into winter, especially if you wear a scarf.

If you're frustrated by scarves always being too long, try one of our shorter length scarves this year!

A Vested Interest

We hope these outfit ideas gave you some inspiration to wear lightweight vests this fall and winter.

If you don't have a go-to vest, check out our Flatiron Vest and Lightweight Down Vest. Both are solid choices to wear over a shirt and/or under a jacket as the temps start to drop.