It’s good practice writing in communication to be writing things out for the forum. I thought I was crystal clear in my original post that I was looking for a woven COTTON summer vest, with the fabric being the key feature. And then secondly preferably in a Safari style. Which I further explained that although I know that it would be much simpler to find a 100% cotton sleeveless denim jacket style, that a belt-less cotton style would be a distant second.
However, kkards suggested a cotton blend fabric jacket in a sun-bleached flak jacket style, and I realized that might cover some of my “use cases.” Namely, as a casual top or middle layer for temperatures between 50 and 75 degrees F.
Then JAileen suggested the one from EB that’s ultralight and UPF 50. So that one is for wearing in the sun at 70F and up, primarily as sun protection, maybe a bit of a windbreaker too.
@jill58, how heavy weight/wind blocking is the Target vest? I also was planning to add to my fall wardrobe a light weight fleece vest for colder weather layering. I’m thinking that the Target one over a sweater or sweatshirt might be a good idea? Is it on the warmer side?
@marble, I looked at the vest from Kuhl. It’s some kind of water resistant cotton blend. I can’t figure out when this would be appropriate. If it’s raining then I would want sleeves. If it’s not then I’d want sun and not rain protection. That being said, the Rekon vest in the Slate (powder blue) is so pretty that I’m sorely tempted to order to wear it as casual fashion rather than as gear. @marble, do you have a feel for when this would be useful as gear?
This thread is making me think thinking more concretely about personal uniform (outfit formula) dressing. I’m thinking about moving from wearing a vest 40% of the time to wearing one more like 80% of the time. I have developed shoulder and hand issues and I pretty much stick with my Longchamp le pliage tote 95% of the time when I need a bag: because it weighs nothing and alternates well between being carried on shoulders, elbows and hands. But I’m frequently trying to figure out how not to carry a bag at all still: and have what I need on my person. Thinking aloud, maybe I should go all in and make lots of vests with pockets become a signature style for me?
@lisap I think that with elements of military style it’s important to pick and choose components. For myself, I always pass on anything with epaulettes or shiny ornate buttons. I like things closer to fatigues than dress uniforms. I feel like an imposter in the dress uniforms, for a lot of different reasons. Shiny flat buttons work for me, or ornate antique brass, but I need some subtlety or simplicity to feel myself in these pieces.
WRT the Talbots vest. I retried the fit to see if I might like to get it in white, as it’s still the only cotton contender. It is designed for someone whose waist and hips circumference is significantly larger than their bust circumference. Sort of an apple and pear figure hybrid, in colloquial parlance. I’m more of an IT and hourglass hybrid and it looks really strange on me. I think that I was wishing it was “relaxed” fit, and not simply the wrong fit. As a minor technical description correction, the back half has an elastic and the front half (side seams to front opening) does have a drawstring, but the drawstring is only visible on the inside.
I’m appreciative to you all (and the YLF technical team) for the chance to think out loud.
