Yes! I am on the look out for *the* one for me. I think I want one like the top left but I think I’d prefer a black fine plaid or herringbone.

I love this look! I have already been wearing it a lot, but I will even more. I own three vests right now: charcoal woven, black corduroy (sorry Angie) and a new cream knitted double-breasted style. I might add one more woven one if I find a special piece: a plaid, or more interesting cut or something along those lines.

My favorite current look is to layer them over tie-neck or ruffled blouses, and button-downs as well. I love the whole Kate Moss look of vest layered over sleeveless tank top, but somehow I never got around to trying it, and it might be too late ( weather wise) to try. Wearing one over a dress is a new idea for me, I might give it a try.

I just got a pair of trouser jeans that I think could look great with a waistcoat. I’ll be honest, I like the look of it over the printed tee best! But I do also like the idea of one over a pretty, feminine blouse for a bit of contrast. I’ll have to think about trying this look, which I’ve always liked but shied away from because I wasn’t sure how to do it without looking silly.

I’ve got to say, I’ve seen a lot of people wearing this and I dont’ really understand why. I think it detracts from every outfit.

I just purchased a pinstripe vest NY & Company and am looking forward to sporting it very soon! I wanted to share with you all in case you are on the quest for a waistcoat. NY & Company has several choices right now: pinstripe, plaid, denim and white. They have the one in the first picture that Angie posted, over the sleeveless top.

Here’s what the one I got looks like: http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....t60072from

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but one of the pinstripes is a plum shade; I have the perfect 3/4 length sleeve knitted top in plum to wear underneath, much like the look in the middle picture on the 2nd row that Angie posted. I plan to pair it with black riding boots and straight jeans

Now this is something I’ve never attempted. Hmmm. Never say never, but Angie, are any of the vests you showed better for pears than others? It seems like the one layered over the purple T might make a pear look “hippy” (and I don’t mean Bohemian!).

This is a look I haven’t tried but want to if I can find the right pieces. The first vest in each row has special appeal because it looks like they stand away from the body a bit to create the allusion of curves where there are none. Paired with ruffles or tie blouse underneath would add even more on top.
I bought a Ralph Lauren dark denim vest but think I’ll take it back and look for something more menswear that I can wear with jeans. I really don’t have the right bottom piece for the denim except maybe cream jeans.
Love the idea of wearing it with a sleeveless top! I’ve been doing something similar by layering a woven sleeveless button front over a cami or tank.

Yes! I’ve been looking for a good vest for myself–I love how they look over graphic t’s, and have several girly blouses that they’d also compliment nicely. I’m large in the chest though, and haven’t found one so far. boo.

love this look! and great idea using vests over a dress. I have been wearing them for a long time now. I like the idea of a denim vest and trousers with a crisp white button-down. Angie..do vests have to button up? I am not really busty but I like the laidback attitude of the un-buttoned look

Waistcoats are not something I’ve ever tried, so I’m open to the idea. On the photos, I can’t say I like the look of the shorter waistcoats–I think they look rather silly, especially if the top underneath is a lot longer, but I like the long waistcoat worn by the model in the purple top.

YAY! This is super timely, Angie. I just got a woven waistcoat with baby pinstripes last weekend. I love the many ways that I’ll be able to wear it!

OOOH I like I like, especially worn over tees!

I’ve been trying to figure out how and if I want to work this look this season. Great tips – and good to know the tee shirt has your stamp of approval for pairing with waistcoats.

I’m a converter. I used to think it was a hard one to pull off but now I love to see it worn with soft blouse or blousy dress. I’ll give it a try if I run into one that fits me.

I love vests, but even if you know what styles look good on you, the more structured one’s can be hard to fit. Do you have any style and fit tips?

It seems we have more than one Joy member. The old flat-chested one posted the first comment. Maybe I should start going by Old Joy?

I realized that as soon as I posted. lol. I’m semi-young and larger chested. BUt then, I don’t comment very much so it shouldn’t cause much of a problem.

It is going to take me a while to get used to this style. I am still thinking of the waistcoats I wore in the late 80’s (brocade type front) and the longer line ones I wore in the 90’s (I still have a longer pinstripe on in the dress up box. Of course the way these are being worn, as show in the picture, is very different, so I may come round in the end. I don’t like the look of the one that is in the middle of the top line. Seems too cropped.

I’m happy there’s excitement for the look. I think it’s a great look if executed with style.

Anne, I too wore waistcoats all through the ‘80’s and 90’s. I left the look for a decade and have started sporting them again over the last few years. I’m really into the interesting looking styles like top – middle.

Tanya, cord waistcoats are sweet. Very “English countryside”. It’s just cord pants I am challenged with . I love the way you sport your waistcoats with soft ruffled and neck-tie blouses. It suits you to a tee.

Nice waistcoat Kristin!

Laura, you’re after something more cropped and fitted like top-left or bottom-right.

We have Joy #1 and Joy #2. The more the merrier (pun intended).

Mirah, double breasted vests need to button-up, but you know how I feel about single-breasted styles and buttoning- up (or lack thereof). If it fits everywhere else – leave the waistcoat un-buttoned.

Munequita, you’ll have to show us a few waistcoat ensembles on the forum. I’m excited to see you sport them.

Plushpenguin, treat a waistcoat fit like a jacket fit.

Like the idea, but haven’t found any that look quite right over my chest. I get a lot of gapping and sometimes my chest pops out between. Seems best admired from afar.

I fell in love with vests as soon as I saw them in stores a couple of months ago. Right now I’m chomping at the bit to go shopping and find the perfect one (meaning one that fits perfectly, goes with several things in my closet, and is under $50). I love the idea of paring a vest with girly blouses. The top left and bottom right are my favorites pictured above.

[...] suit. It adds an easy-going twist. Substituting pants for skirts is also a fab idea. Opting for a tailored waistcoat instead of a structured jacket is yet another. But take the structured top layer away and you’re [...]

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I’ve been looking for a few vest/waitcoats to add to my closet but thus far no luck. Does anyone have any ideas for where to buy them?