We’ll see quite a few fur waistcoats for Autumn and Winter. Unfortunately the catwalk runways were full of them in all sorts of real exotic skins, which makes me sad. Luckily, offering exotic furs to mainstream masses won’t happen because it’s just too expensive to produce and sell. Nowadays, fabric technology is brilliant and improves each year. Faux fur can look quite authentic at a fraction of the price. It’s a good option for those that like the look but are on a budget and don’t want to wear real fur.
The shaggy waistcoat (or vest if you live in the US), is a nice bridging piece into Autumn as the weather cools down. It’s a bulky item so it’s best to go with a cropped style that’s cut narrow on the shoulder and ends somewhere between waistline and hip bone.
Keep the layers you wear underneath fairly sleek so as to balance out the boxiness of the silhouette. Skinny or bootcut jeans, a turtleneck or button down shirt with boots is a simple no-brainer combination for this item. But I also like the combination of a blouse, pencil skirt and pretty pumps as you see in the photo below. The shaggy vest could also look fab over the right frock. Quite edgy. Any takers for the look?
I’m hoping that places like H&M, Topshop, MNG, Club Monaco and Zara will bring out inexpensive faux fur versions of the shaggy waistcoat. That way we have the option of having fun with a dramatic and somewhat wacky trend without breaking the bank. The vibe is quite boho which is not my style, but I’m attracted to the trend because of its vintage and retro appeal. I hope I find the right piece this season as I see several outfit possibilities.
