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I love it - does it love me?

Roberta

Veteran

I was so happy to find this vest/thing (pics 1- 4) at Nordstrom, sold out online at Cos. It is the loveliest Melton wool you can imagine. A bit itchy at the back neckline, so I can't wear a shirt without a bit of a collar or turtleneck. Now, I know it is a strange garment. Extremely rectangular. I feel a bit like a medieval page in it. Oversized, so this the correct fit. No pockets. My original goal was to find a navy vest that looked good with my giant polka dot Boden shirt. I love that shirt and I keep trying to find ways to wear it where I don't feel like a clown. The other vest is Halogen (pics 5 and 6) and less expensive. But also much lesser quality. It shed on me just trying it on, but I did like it. I would exchange it for a size down. Not a terrible price difference between the two.

I've posted a few quick outfits to get your thoughts. Comments? Ideas?

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COS Oversize V-Neck Wool Vest

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Top Pick

1

Halogen V-Neck Sweater Vest

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2

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Sloper

Star

Veteran

I would be interested to see how the back looks from a side view. For me an oversized, shapeless garment needs to follow the curve of my back.

Roberta

Veteran

Ha, the back and side views were surprisingly hard to capture! Pic 1 is the Halogen knit which is more fluid. Pics 2 and 3 are the Cos vest which needs to be pressed, but will always be a stiffer fabric.

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES

Fashion forward, and both are the right oversized fit. Try them with dark bottoms.

Suggestion:

Wear them around the house a bit in motion. Oversized fits like this can work fably when you're standing still, but can move around, shift, and become annoying when you go about your day. Also, layering when you go out can be tricky. Sooooo, make sure that part is good too

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I can see where you are coming from on this.l love a vest too.Personally l look for a bit more slouch in mine and something that hints at the body beneath however you might be looking for a different vibe.l find them very useful for abit of extra warmth in spring/up autumn.Enjoy it!

Star

Veteran

Thanks for the extra pics. I think I prefer the back fit of the Halogen one, but if the quality is not there maybe not a good idea.

LJP

Veteran

I quite like the idea here but I have the same feelings as Cardiff girl re fluidity and Angie’s suggestion for dark bottoms etc. To be honest , I don’t love it on you .

kkards

Veteran

gosh, i love the idea of this...especially with the pinky/red cords. my only concern, can you layer your outerwear on top of this comfortably?

unfrumped

Veteran

I can see this concept also , but have a cautionary tale.
I bought something similar though a bit slimmer and with a cool 2-way front zipper by Eileen Fisher in gray boiled wool. I had some kind of elegant-elf or something look in mind.
But after wearing a few times I did find it mor difficult to be a “ moving” item & was not a cozy curl- up either. At the time, I was working so did view it as more of a refined 3rd piece. It did need slim pants and probably would be paired with leggings, which I did not wear, unless sometimes at- home heavy winter, & this was not lounging item.
Eventually I just did not like how I looked in it- some kind of frumpy- elf.

Roberta

Veteran

This is all excellent advice, thank you! In particular, I thank Angie and Unfrumped, because I do feel very fashion forward in this, which is rare, but I know I should give it a thorough test drive. So I will, wearing these orange Docs which I just bought and am also trying out.
Further comments welcome, of course!

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Irina

Veteran

Nordstrom US sells COS? Live and learn, I guess, no such luck for us, Canadians!
I actually tried this vest from COS. I had to size down but the proportions were off on me. Also, I realize that the cut is strange, sizing down takes drama away, right size is kind of not here, not where.
So, sorry and I don't love it but it is not you, it's this particular garment.
The second one looks just to big on you to my eye.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I love this. I think they both look fabulous, and hope for you that the comfort level is there, too. So so chic!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I prefer the COS, with its more structured look. I would go for the higher quality fabric, too, on this kind of statement vest. I love the look with your cuffed jeans and Docs. I'm not as crazy about it with the straight cords, but I think I would like the look of those, too, if you cuffed them and had some chunky boots or oxfords on. In addition to the itch factor on the neck, I also like the look of the turtleneck or shirt collar with the vest and am less drawn to the look of the blouse in 2. (Though I like the look of those colors together.)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ok, so a few points to keep in mind for context on my commentary.

1. I love the idea of these vests. Love! Am always eager to try them. I'm surprised I don't own one, TBH -- I've been looking but have not seen one that promises to have the proportions I might need.
2. I have no problem surrendering the waist, personally, and like waist-surrendering looks.

However, I was not at all sure about the first set of photos -- was not in love with it, despite my predispositions toward this kind of item.

Having said that, now that I see it with the toned-in jeans and the Docs, I'm a huge fan! The footwear seems to ground it and balance the look. I would do what Angie said -- experiment with it at home, try a bunch of different outfits, try with your coat, etc.

Jonesy

Veteran

I love the COS vest! I have to say that you are not giving these vests a fighting chance by posting pics without footwear :). I would go with the beautiful quality one over the Halogen one. I like it best with the wider olive cords (?) in #2 in the first set of pics, and love it with the jeans and boots (fab boots, esp with your hair!) in the newest pic--seeing it completely styled with footwear shows how well it works, and it looks smashing with the denim, IMHO.

ETA: other styling ideas include going tonal with the vest (e.g., something dark underneath), or a turtleneck, or some wide, cropped pants to play with proportions (see examples below).

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phoebe

Maybe less high contrast tops would help it merge a little better with the rest of your outfit

Dee

Veteran

My preference is for the COS vest, I like its architecture and find it looks best in outfits #1#2 and it also works well with your jeans and docs.

However, I’d be wary of wearing it with really slim pants, as it might seem too top heavy, I think you’ve got to balance the proportions to make it work.

RobinF

Veteran

I am a vest fan and I love it! Especially with the docs (also love!) but I think you could find other ways to wear it. I thought I'd like it best with slimmer pants but I kind of like it with the olive from the first set.

nuancedream

Veteran

I have a clear preference for the COS vest over the Halogen one. Angie makes a good point about oversized fits and how they can be a nuisance when you're moving around and going about your day. It's one reason why I personally avoid oversized fits.

JP

Veteran

What LJP said.
However, what matters most is how you feel in it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Roberta, I'm nodding along with Jonesy who mentioned some things I forgot! Thanks, Jonesy

FWIW:

keep the COS and return the Halogen
the olive pants and jeans look great with the COS vest
try a low contrast top under it too

Wishing you joy with your fun new architectural piece

Anonymous

I like it! I tried styling a new navy sweater vest today too. I wore it with a white top and plaid pants. Next time I plan to try it with a jean shirt. I also want to wear over a dress. I think yours looks really sharp with the Docs

Indigoprint

Veteran

I love that COS vest. I hope you get it sorted. I think it looks Fab with your Docs.

jussie

Veteran

I rather like these. Yes; it’s probably not the easiest type of garment to style and wear, but it’s great fun and fashion-y! Something to wear on days when you feel like being a little creative with your outfit .
I like it best the way you have it styled with the docs, and I also like it with those pink-ish pants in the original pics.

Kyle

Veteran

I have the Halogen vest in Navy and wear it with leggings, a fitted turtleneck and booties or platform sneakers. Haven’t tried it with jeans yet. To me it reads more like an ink blue than navy, and I purchased a size small. Thought my husband would really dislike this piece, but he surprisingly gave it a thumbs up.

I think I prefer the COS vest, and might like to see it styled with less contrasting tops and bottoms.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely worth more experimentation as suggested above and definitely prefer the COS to the lesser vest!

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

If the back of the neck is itchy, I'd like to see it styled with a turtleneck (or other, non shirt-collared tops) - to see if that feels comfy to you

Those mustard/ saffron cords are a lovely colour pairing with the navy though!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I guess I am not really a fan of oversized… so think I am with LJP. But I am in a minority…

Olive Green

Veteran

Being Utilitarian, I love an architectural fit. Being so short, it is hard to pull off. You pull it off.
Also prefer the COS to the Halogen.

Bijou

Veteran

I would only consider keeping the Cos vest. I like it best with the crisp white shirt - I think it is such a statement, it needs a clean and architectural support act. I love the styling with jeans and boots. My vote is to keep the Cos vest - it is a fun wildcard that you love.

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