The dressy Winter vest, sleeveless jacket, or “gilet” may seem like an impractical piece at first glance, but actually it can be very practical in certain situations. Here’s why. 

• It adds lightweight layering interest to an outfit, which is ideal for mild Winter weather, when you run warm, or as we transition into Spring. 
• It’s less formal than a sleeved jacket. 
• It’s less constricting on the arms and shoulders than a sleeved jacket, making it extra comfortable for a broad-shouldered body. 
• In most cases it can be layered under a Winter coat and feels less bulky on the arms. 
• It’s more comfortable to wear in the office than a tailored jacket and looks just as pulled together. 
• It’s generally more forgiving of lumpage and bumpage than a jacket. 
• It feels less overwhelming at a maxi length or in a roomy silhouette than the jacket or sweater coat version with sleeves. 
• The dressy wool Winter vest looks modern, fashionable and chic. 

I adore these dressy wool Winter vest outfits because they look tailored and pulled together, but with a good dose of relaxed comfort. 

#1 showcases a high-contrast wool vest over a column of colour, which is probably the easiest way to wear the item. A subtle nod to the ‘90s. Elegant bootcuts and turtleneck are the streamlining finishing touch. Think trousers or jeans. A matching bag and belt adds polish and texture. Feel free to swap out the turtleneck for a scoop, crew, boat or V-neck top.

#2 showcases a more casual rendition with skinnies, untucked sweater and wool vest worn with pumps and satchel. Again, feel free to swap out the turtleneck with a sweater that is more to your liking. Wear boots instead of pumps. What a great smart casual look. Simple drama.

#3 is a subtle nod to the ‘70s with flares, sleeveless pullover layered over a shirt, and topped with a roomy wool vest. Scrunched shirt sleeves add a causal touch, while the shoulder bag brings back the ladylike element. A fun high-contrast and more maximal rendition.

#4 has a Tomboy integrity. The oversized wool vest is a trendy addition to the sleek silhouette of the skinnies and loafers. The clutch adds a fun formal touch.

Yes, this look is fabulous on taller gals, but don’t be disheartened if you aren’t tall. Simply wear the vest a little shorter to balance out proportions. 

I’ve said it before, but I want to add a dressy and tailored gilet to my wardrobe because its casual elegance is appealing. My narrow shoulder line will make it a little trickier to find the right fit, but I’m sure I will find a fab one at some point.  I like renditions #1and #2 best here. How about you. Would you wear a dressy wool vest?

Here’s a small roundup of items that have been winners on clients and some of our forum members recently. Be sure to browse all the colour options. 

• Fossil 'Scattered Diamonds' Leather Belt: A black belt with a graphic touch. A little different.
• Donald J Pliner 'Rome' Pointy Toe Pump (Women): A classic pump in a punchy pattern. Seasonless with a high longevity factor. Best on low volume feet.
• Fossil Double Keeper Leather Belt: A casual belt in a unique shade of berry.
• Phase Eight Nicole Check Dress: A flirty Winter dress to wear with boots, tights and coat. Best on a curvy petite.
• Phase Eight Ginette Check Wrap Skirt: Graphic fabness to wear with a black pullover and opaques.
• Phase Eight Kata Spot Top: Form-fitting and a good piece to wear under a jacket for the office.
• Topshop PETITE Tuck Drape Blouse: A good blouse for a short neck, larger bust and apple shape. Might run small. Great worn out over trousers or a pencil skirt.
• Zara Top With Faux Leather Pockets: This sweater looks good on both a narrow and broad shoulder line. Boxy but adequately streamlined. YES. You can machine wash the pleather because I have the top and tested that already. Very soft and comfy. Fun slits on the sleeves. Runs small.
• Madewell City Grid Coat in Colorblock: An excellent cocoon coat for a curvy figure. Roomy yet streamlined. Comes in a very dark teal, dark red and black. Not scratchy.
• Essentiel Antwerp Arcy Swing Top: A festive kimono blouse for those who can fill out the top. Not good on a narrow shoulder line and small bust. Sleeves will be long on petites.
• Pilcro Pilcro Vegan Leather Moto Pants: An excellent pair of faux leather skinnies for a curvy bottom half.
• Vince Wavy Stripe Print Silk Shirt Dress: A super duper lightweight frock for an apple, rectangle or inverted triangle body type.
• Madewell Wintermix Cable Sweater: An interesting sweater where the woven plaid border melts into the rest of the pullover. The ombré effect is genius. Runs small but is not scratchy.
• UNIQLO Women Extra Fine Merino V-neck Sweater: A very simple V-neck in a lightweight wool that is not scratchy. Great for layering under jackets with trousers or to wear over skirts. The V-neck is not deep. Size up a size.
• Topshop Check Bomber with Faux Fur Collar: Fun, retro and warm. I love the late '60s and '70s vibe of this casual jacket because it's different. The back yoke and volume is lovely, as is the elasticated hem and statement zipper. Not scratchy. Best on a straighter upper half with a narrower shoulder line. Not good on a larger bust. The collar is removable. Runs very small.

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

 

 

Some of the most effective ways to pull together a visually cohesive outfit involve matching the colours of accessories and footwear. The repetition of colour draws the eye and pulls the different components into a complementary whole. 

These tips are easiest to implement in cold weather when you tend to wear more accessories. And they are especially effective when you are mixing several neutrals or non-neutrals in one outfit. The matching can be overt or subtle.

1. Match Belt and Footwear

The most classic combination of them all. The match can be exact or tonal. Match up the two items with solids or patterns. This combination works particularly well when you’re in an office and bag-free most of the day. 

2. Match Belt and Bag

Classic combination number two, which again needn’t be an exact match. I’ve shown textured and patterned bags with solid and distressed belts. Remember that your outfit needs to look sufficiently pulled together without the bag because you don’t usually carry it around with you when you work in an office. 

3. Match Bag and Footwear

A great one for when you’re out and about holding your bag most of the time. It’s also a flop proof way to pull together a formal outfit with dressy shoe and clutch. 

4. Match Scarf and Bag

Another nice combination for when you’re out and about. It’s an excellent way to pull together a cold weather outfit when you’re not wearing a hat. Matching a solid bag with printed scarf works like a charm. 

5. Match Scarf and Footwear

This combination works well throughout the year. You don’t need cold weather layers to make it work, and it does not rely on a bag to pull the look together. It’s a great one for the office because it’s bag-free. 

6. Match Scarf and Hat 

This combination works particularly well in cold weather because it’s all about bundling up. Match the colour of your hat with a scarf and feel festive and warm all day. It’s a nice way to inject a bit of colour and texture into your outfit and wardrobe. 

I use all of these options to pull together my own outfits, but tend to use the #1 and #3 the most. How about you?

Polyester gets a bad rap because it’s a man-made fibre that can look nasty, lack drape or substance, and doesn’t breathe. These aspects greatly diminish the quality and aesthetics of a garment, and that’s why there is an anti-polyester movement. 

Despite the obvious negative aspects of polyester, I’m sticking up for it. Here’s why:

• Polyester has come a long way. These days it can look and feel better than silk. It can drape as beautifully as a natural fibre and can feel just as substantial. 

• Polyester is durable, fast-drying, machine washable, and crease-resistant. It’s a low maintenance fibre that neither stretches nor shrinks. Natural fibres can seldom boast these positive attributes, which is why polyester works as well when blended with natural fibres. 

• Polyester is inexpensive, which brings down the price of clothing. 

I recently bought two patterned blouses that are 100% polyester. The H&M Victorian blouse is the nicest polyester I’ve seen and I was wowed. It drapes like a dream and is neither shiny nor flammable. It’s substantial, soft, and looks better than some of my silk blouses. I was flabbergasted to find out it was polyester and cost $35.

The ruffled blouse from Banana Republic is a weightier polyester that feels very silky. In fact the sales assistant thought it was silk and so did I. It also drapes like a dream and feels lovely against the skin. The ruffles flounce as I stride and look lovely. 

I machine-wash both blouses. They hang dry perfectly without needing to be pressed. They look pristine throughout the day and do not crease. They also feel wonderfully cozy when I layer a thermal tee underneath for warmth. I haven’t found them to lack breathability. 

I also fell in love with a cropped striped pullover from Zara with pleather patch pockets that’s polyester-rich. I read the laundry instruction before purchasing it because I wondered about the pleather. I had my doubts about it being machine washable, but was prepared to experiment for $50. Well sure enough, it came out of the machine and air dried perfectly. To my surprise, the pleather pockets did not stretch or ruin the yarn of the rest of the pullover. It has retained its shape and looks fab. 

I will not be deterred by the word “polyester” on the label if the garment looks good, feels good, and is inexpensive. Polyester has definitely earned its place in my wardrobe. How about yours?