I love the ‘tough’ biker look and am definitely game to try a leather waistcoat. I hadn’t really considered a non-black one until seeing your suggestions here. I actually adore the one on the right and just reading the words “emerald green moto waistcoat with tarnished silver hardware” is making me swoon. You will look killer Angie!!

I love this look on other people(Laura looked amazing in this) but never considered it really because I thought it was just too far from my regular style and comfort zone. But the one in ivory is something I think I could try because it seems “softer.” Thanks for that Nudge Angie

i love this look on Laura! amazing.

i have a black leather vest by Guess that I used to wear alll the time back in college. tried it on again but it’s just not me anymore. my look is much less “edgy” these days so i’m thinking it’s destined for ebay

I like the look too, and it would definitely put me out of my comfort zone. Laura, you certainly rock the look. Fabulous!
On the other hand, I think I am going to pass the moto vest for now because it doesn’t really fit the looks I have in mind for fall.

I have the one below coming my way for my birthday… can’t wait, I might have to beg to get ahold of it before my actual b’day in Dec.

I am not very edgy/tough, either, so this one has no hardware — just a really nice cut. It looks way better in person than in the promo pic. I plan to wear it with jeans, combat or motorcycle boots, and thermal or turtleneck shirts on weekends. I think I can ALSO work it out with button-up shirts, pencil skirts or slacks, and my dressier boots for work.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults

I love this look so much, but don’t think I’ll ever be able to pull it off. I’ve tried them on in lots of different stores, but being a bit busty and apple-ish…i always feel like it makes me lose all shape, turning my upper body into a large bulky box. I feel like this look would work well on slimmer, less busty figures….Any one else feel the same? Or am I just seeing myself with warped vision?

I think this is a very cool look, and I think I would feel rockin’ in it. But practically speaking, I have absolutely no where to wear one … not suitable for *my* office or really out on the weekends with the kiddies.

I like that the first pictured vest is paired with tie-dye jeans! Not sure I could wear this look, but I think it looks great on others! Worth a try, I suppose.

These would make most women look even thinner. Really like the look.

Agree with Linda’s comment. I noticed that the structure of a vest gives the appearance of a waist if it is the right style. I would love a denim version of this look, I think it would go with absolutely everything.

I adore this piece! Not sure I’ll pony up for one myself, but I love the looks that a moto waistcoat can create.

Srujana – I’m with you hon!
Angie do you have any suggestions on how a big bust can pull this look off? Big bust, more of a rectangle/apple shape… Think that could be setting you quite the challenge?
Having said that, just don’t know if it is my style anyway.

Lovin’ it! Just lovin’ it!

Inge, we’ll hunt for those emerald green versions together.

Melody, you can absolutely wear this type of thing over the weekends with kids. Laura does

PF, you are spot on. A colour other than black makes a soft change.

That’s a beautiful piece, Rae. Enjoy!

Srujana and Em, this could be *just* the piece to streamline an apple shaped body type. You could leave it open for starters and choose a style with fewer gizmos – like the pink style. I would not give up on the look yet.

Fathenry, denim is a fab option, as long as it’s not worn with the same colour denim.

Laura, you look amazing in this look!

I really like this kind of pieces. I have just gotten a softer, white cotton one from Club Monaco for the summer. Depending on how much I end up wearing, I might be tempted to get a heavier one for the cold weather. That blush vest, first from the left, is really tempting.

The blush one on the left is very tempting. Maybe knit sleeves can be removed from a cream leather consignment moto jacket in my closet to make it a waistcoat….hmmmmm. Great topic, Angie.

Srujana and Em —

I’m kind of busty for my frame, too… I would suggest lighter/thinner leathers with less zippers/hardware, or if you want hardware, make sure it is not on to boob area. I also try to avoid the ones that look really double-breasted. Other than those elements, I think I really like these vests with the large bust — it kind of works the same way as a v-neck top to break up the chest area.

Laura, you really know how to wear your moto waiscoat! I love it with your feminine tops/blouses underneath.
I love the look and hope it is still going strong next year. I doubt I will be getting one this year because I just got a moto jacket at NAS and I don’t think I would get both pieces in one year. I am going in slowly.

I hope more of you join me by hopping on the moto vest bandwagon. Lots of room on board!

Aside from these YLF photos, I’ve worn this look once so far in real life and LOVED it (we’ve had a cooler-than-usual summer and the vest works well in the evenings). My stylish sister-in-law loved the attitude it gave my outfit and said she expected me to hop on my Harley and ride off into the sunset at any moment

Thank you Angie, for the gentle nudge in the right direction.

How fun! As much as I enjoy the tough biker girl look on others, I personally avoid it. Somehow it just isn’t me. Inspired by Angie’s love of the look, I’ve tried on a few biker jackets. One even fit perfectly, but I put it back on the wrack because it just didn’t go with my personality. I suppose if I found a white ruffly leather jacket or waist coat I would consider it. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the look on Laura and others who are rockin it.

I love the look on Laura and in the photos, but I can’t help but feel it’s too bulky for me personally. The tough girl look isn’t really my style anyway. I have my two moto jackets but they have been softened up a bit from the traditional biker look. Maybe if I found one in a softer material with minimal hardwear I might try it, but on my budget, I need to prioritize and this is definitely not a priority. I bet it will generate a lot of amazing looks on the forum though. Who knows, maybe I will change my mind.

I like this look. I don’t own one, and I’m not sure if I will buy one, but if one happened to show up in my closet I’d definitely wear it. When it comes to purchasing though, I always decide that I’d rather have a leather jacket than a leather vest.

I like the look but have yet to find my perfect one. I like them a bit softer in cut as well as color. Maybe a chocolate brown or cream? I’ve tried on the black edgy ones and it just looks funny on me for some reason. I’ll keep looking!

I also found Laura’s photos inspiring. Her styling, along with a hint about an inexpensive denim version available, pushed me to finally by a moto vest.

http://whatiwore2day.blogspot......-vest.html

For the not so busty, I think it can make one look better endowed if the vest is zipped to just below the bust, so that some volume is left at the top.

OK, after seeing Kasmira’s I’m officially a convert. That is exactly what I had in my mind–a softer material and more fitted look. That didn’t take long

As for zipping, I think zipping it to just below the bust is universally flattering.

I love this look, with. something really feminine under…the leather and lace look so to speak.:)

How funny. I’m wearing mine today, with a grey sequin striped t-shirt (oversize) from H & M, white skinny jeans and black high heel gladiators

I LOVE the look!! Definitely have my eye out for just the right one. I’m really funny about the way that vests in general fit me so not sure if I’ll have the same problem with this or not. It will be fun to shop for!

Oh my gosh, you rock this look out, Laura! What I’d really like to know, though, is where you got those never-miss, super-comfy-looking leather shoes that you’re wearing in the second picture!

Thanks Angie and Rae – you’ve inspired me, I’ll try some on next time I’m at the shops!!

Sorry, ladies, I have to say I think it looks silly. And VERY ’80’s. But I am biased; faux motorcycle gear irks me since I do ride.

Do a real little leather bike jacket, like there are some photos of Angie wearing! That looks funky, and avoids that whole “wannabe” thing.

(Yes, I do completely realize no one is really trying to look like a rider.)

[...] and belted it at the waist for added definition. Instead of a cardigan, add a jacket, waistcoat or moto vest for even more [...]