I won’t say never, but right now I don’t see myself taking part in this trend. The shaggy fur vests are just too bohemian for my taste. I’ve tried a couple of them on at stores, and it’s just not me. If I could find a shorter, more tailored faux fur vest, I’d definitely consider it.

I can *definitely* see you sport the look, Ana. It’s also very retro. Think black frock, fishnets and your red pumps. But it is a tricky piece to fit and fit is going to be key. I doubt I’ll find one that fits that’s fake too. But you never know.

I own two of these. One longer version (Zara) which I wear with dresses and boots or a pencil skirt and button down shirt is rather elegant and I got lots of compliments for it. The other one is shorter and more casual with jeans. I love them because they are comfortable, warm and you can turn a boring outfit into a cool one within seconds.

Hmm, is it just me or didn’t we already see this trend a few seasons ago? I’ll definitely pass on this one. Why anyone would want a garment that hides every last curve and adds several inches to your girth is beyond me.

I’m passing on this trend – bulky up top is very unflattering on my body type. And though I have embraced the animal trend to some degree (printed cardi, knits etc) I find this style a little too much like a real animal (though I know it’s faux) for my taste.

I can totally see these kinds of vests worn with very dressy pieces like you suggested Angie. I can’t say it’s me, but I have not looked at them really. As soon as I see anything resembling fur, I stop paying attention. My first association is Grizzly Adams so I am reluctant, but if I come across one that looks interesting I might try it. So I’ll put it on my “maybe” list.

I have one my parents bought me for Xmas at Nordstorm a few years back. It is not as full and long as the pics you showed us but it is brown and might work with jeans with a longer turtleneck under it.

I have not worn it much but it is totally warm and fits in nicely at the ski resort we go to in winter.

Thanks Angie for this heads up!

Grizzly Adams! Too funny. My initial reaction is that this doesn’t work for my style. Think I’ll stick to a moto vest instead. But I would love to see it on Ana, angie & others!

I’ve donned the furry vest in season’s past. I love the look as a chic, winter piece. I find that people have a tendency to not just look, but also ‘pet’ these sort of garments. So be prepared.

I know I don’t like the ‘boho’ look, but I do like this shaggy vest look a lot. Especially with a turtleneck and skinny jeans or as you suggest Angie, a pencil skirt and tailored shirt. Maybe because I feel it would balance out my lower half? It’s definitely not my typical style but perhaps a way for me to branch out.

I can see that this would look great with some of my wardrobe pieces. And I’m going to pass on this trend because even faux fur gives me the heebie jeebies.

Me! Me! I have a costume-y white faux-fur waistcoat that I adore, but am hoping to find a more natural looking one as well for fall.

Last winter in France you could see them everywhere but they were very expensive. Hope this year we will have cheaper versions.

I like it. I may consider it. I think it could be a lot of fun. Angie, do you think it could work for someone who’s a bit busty?

Very interesting piece! I actually already have a faux-fur vest, tough it is not shaggy at all, it’s more streamlined. I will try to sport it more when the cold weather comes.

I won’t say never but doubt I’ll sport this look. I like the idea of a fabulous highly textured waistcoat to all inches on top and instant style to a simple outfit. However, the furry vest looks too boho, too much like real fur, and too warm indoors for someone who has hot flashes and would be constantly ripping it off.

I would love to give this a try to balance out my pear shape and add some width to my upper body, but I have so many items on my “need for winter” list (coat, trench, boots) I don’t think I’ll be able to splurge into the fun stuff yet.

“add” inches, not “all”

I’m not into this look (even if I was the right body type for it). Maybe if I lived in a cold place (the Dakotas?) and needed to layer because it has a mountain-girl, Russian steppe vibe.

I could see a suede vest trimmed with a bit of faux fur as an alternative?

Something this furry–whether real or faux–just screams, “I’m wearing a large, dead animal!” to me.

I’ll have to pass on this. I have been reading this and thinking that my eye might adjust, but in reality I think my family and friends would think I had flipped my cookie for sure this time.
I’m sure I will admire it on others who make it work in their wardrobe, after my eye adjusts to the look. My eyes really do glaze over when this one comes around, so I guess it is waaaay outside my box.

Grizzly adams, hmm, I was thinking more Daniel Boone-like..
Actually seriously, I am one of the maybe-flawed-folk that does like the look of some fake fur(much to my husband’s distress) but not in this amount.A little around a collar or a small wrap for glamour at night is fab for me. A vest of this size is a bit too much for me to do though, it’s just not my thing. But I’ll applaud those who can wear it with some wicked style

Phoebe and Tanya, you are ahead of the game! I used to have a furry waistcoat too, but the faux fur was a lot flatter. Not shaggy. The look is different imo.

Audi, I know it’s hard to give up defining the waistline, but there is something very liberating about NOT showing off your waist, especially if you have a little extra around the middle. At the moment, I am really enjoying hiding my waistline because I’m a little bored with constantly showing off my curves. I wonder if that make sense? I should add though, that I am pretty slight and straight all over and not curvy at all. I guess that makes a difference to my perception.

Julie and Sinead, you are spot on about how this look would work wonders at balancing out your top and bottom halves. You’d need to get quite a cropped version, though.

Alecia, it’s absolutely worth a go as a slightly bustier lass. Could work, could look awful (which goes for all of us actually).

Susan H. It *does* look like you’re wearing a big dead animal. People might judge you and think you’re wearing real fur when it’s actually fake, but at least YOU know it’s fake. If that’s okay with you and you like the look, it’s at least an option. But if the fake version still looks too much like the real thing for your liking, by all means stay away.

I’m with Susan and Sihaya. It just squicks me out even when it’s fake. This isn’t always the case, and I do like a faux fur trim on hats, jackets, and gloves, but whenever it goes beyond that it just looks like an entire animal has been skinned even if it hasn’t. As for the real fur ones–well, if the faux ones make me shudder, you can’t imagine the effect real fur has on me. I try not to be judgmental, but I have a 0 tolerance policy for real fur.

I’m not pleased with it aesthetically either. It looks bulky and messy to my eyes. I’ll pass.

I’d wear it. Here in Israel it would be a nice option for a winter day (too hot even to look at it right now). I have a longer fabric vest with fur-looking trim, it’s made in China and looks “old chinese lady” but quite stylish. The shaggy shorter vest could be a nice addition to my wardrobe – it would go with everything. Thank you, Angie, I’ll be on the lookout for something like that.

They add bulk. I’d drown in them because I am super petite.

My sister-in-law always calls me a party pooper. She will undoubtedly love this trend. I think it would look cool with nice jeans and boots, but wonder where on earth would I wear this? And also, exactly how quick would it take my 3 yo son to tangle a lollipop in the fur?

Might give a whirl this winter. So many women around here wear a fleece vest over long sleeve t shirt and jeans, maybe I’ll take them on with a fun fuzzy vest and slim jeans – or a fitted turtleneck dress with boots – I could so see this look.
And thanks for the chuckle, Melody – no lollys with this vest!

Didn’t Sonny and Cher wear these?

Song break: They say that we’re too young to know…
Won’t find out until we’ve grown…

Everybody!

Babe! I got you babe!

I’m not that into this look. In an abstract on-the-runway sort of way it has great aesthetic appeal, but it’s a little out there for my style. I’m interested to see what other people do with it, though!

Also, I am imagining what sticky toddler fingers would do to that fluffiness… ick!

“flipped my cookie”, LOL, I didn’t know that expression San;-) I definitely want to find a way to work it into conversation asap now!

I do like the look of a bulkier “waistcoat”, and I agree it could look good in the outfits you have described Angie, but there’s just something about the “shaggy” element in general that doesn’t appeal to me at all. So I think I’ll pass.

Hmmm, well I love the look of fur…..I am just stumped on this. I think it might be too SHAGGY of a look for me.

But I will reserve judgment untill after I see it on a real person, done properly.:)

Awe Inge, that is soo funny. Flipped your cookie, flipped her cookie, flipped my cookie. This has been around in my neck of the woods since I was a kid!

Toddlers, lollipops and a shaggy waistcoat makes for a wicked combination. *very big chuckle*. Not so fab.

San, Inge and Kristers, you crack me up.

Maya, I have the same emotional aversion to real fur, and there is a LOT of it in Winter time in your neck of the woods. But I am fine wearing a huge piece of shaggy polyester/acrylic. I think it *can* look fab.

I thought this looks was around a few years ago as well? Paired with ugg boots – match made in heaven muahaha!

I do remember Trinny from the British WNTW sporting one of these quite a lot. Paired with a long a-line skirt I really liked the look – on her. Do I think I could get away with it? Not so much!

OOOOh i love it, another thing to add to the ‘i want’ list x

If it adds bulk to my already boxy top half then it’s not going to work for me. I also don’t have much boho in my style. But I can see how it could look good on the right person.

You know what? A couple years ago I thought it would be fun to have something similar, so I ordered a shaggy vest from Boden. Unfortunately, it was sewn all wrong, so back it went. Didn’t realize I was ahead of my time…

I found a great waistcoat for a client the other day – it had a faux fur collar, with a chunky knit body – so much less bulky than all over fur and looked funky!

I’m a late commenter but this post caught my eye. I was obsessed with the Rachel Zoe show when it was briefly on (no, really, I was literally obsessed. I died. I was, like, literally in my coffin) and this was one of her signature looks. I think it was ADORABLE on her, but very hard for anyone larger than her to pull off. I think as a 5′10″ size 14/16 I’d feel like Chewbacca.

p.s. my 8 year old daughter has a hooded faux fur vest from Gymboree that she wears in all kinds of interesting ways. I’m always surprised by what she comes up with (fur vest over floral dress over skinny jeans & ballet flats, for instance) and how she gets her 8 year old ideas. My plan is for her to be president of the US but if you see a fashion brand called Rosemary in 10 or so years, don’t be surprised.

I LOVE IT! I just bought one at fredflare.com by BB Dakota. Its called the Rachel Vest and it is $60. I love this trend, but how would you suggest I do my makeup and hair for this sort of over the top piece? Also, what accessories? Do I stick to a clutch or an oversized handbag?

[...] Sophisticated Ways to Wear a Faux Fur Vest When my style guru and friend Angie over at YouLookFab blogged about faux fur vests back in July, my first thought was no way. I could only imagine wearing them in a very bohemian [...]