The Sudden Dearth of Utility Vests

I'm not sure if any of you have a utility jacket on your shopping list, but I've had one on there for months. I always keep an eye on them when I'm out shopping in B&M stores, but after this proved fruitless, I started searching online. This has proved almost as discouraging. It seems that everyone I find that fits the style I like is out of stock, or is only available in larger sizes. I have no problem finding utility jackets, but somehow all of the vests are disappearing. Has anyone else noticed this, or am I just having a case of "everything that you want will be available until you actually have the money to buy it."

I do like this vest from Nordstrom's, which is a decent price, but the color seems to be more of a khaki than an olive. Does anyone own this vest, or have you seen it in store?

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ol.....I0PmW36vKg

This one is nice and almost exactly what I'm looking for (I would take off the jewels), but it is of course out of stock:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ol.....I0PmW36vKg

The only other option I've seen is this one, but the colors look slightly off to me, not sure why:
http://www.shopconversationpie.....army-vest/

So, over to you lovely ladies. Has anyone else noticed the dearth of utility vests, or do you know of an option I could try?

Sorry to all of you for bothering you when I'm such an infrequent poster.

12 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

I had been looking for a navy utility vest for ages and finally bought this one in spruce green:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/am.....n=wishlist
The photo looks grayish, but it is actually green. The black had not come out yet. Mine is XS, and IMHO, they are cut TTS since should be a little loose. I also tried Ambition's junior version; I mention it in my online review.

I think I have seen utility vests online at F21. Utility jackets seem to be more common, including mixed media ones, but I am a huge fan of vests. I have not seen the vest you posted.

If you have the item number, you can go to a B&M Nordstrom and have them search other stores for the size you want. I did this for something that sold out almost immediately online. The return policy is the same.

CocoLion

(website)

I think it might be a Spring item. I'd wait and see what comes out over the next few months.

amiable

My local Forever21 has a bunch of utility vests - I noticed them last week.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

It's a Summer piece that is off season and sold out. It makes sense. Wait for Feb, when the season starts to hit stores.

Ajoanna

Active Member

You are all probably right. Our Florida weather is just now decided to cool down to fall temperatures, so I'm still in more of a summer/fall mode. To me, vests are more of a fall piece, but it makes sense that retailers would be holding off on them until Spring.

Donna, the vest you posted is perfect, but unfortunately a bit out of my price range. I will definitely have to wait and see if it goes on sale soon.

Amiable, I'm going to have to check out F21 again. The last time I looked was Black Friday, and they were really picked over, so I probably should check again.

Anonymous

I bought mine at American Eagle. If they come back in stock, don't wait for a sale....they sell out very quickly!

Tanya

Mine was from Old Navy, very affordable. They often have them, than they sell out, and later they come up with a slightly different version.

elpgal

I think I post about this every year on the forum! Didn't know they were a summer item. I love vests and think about them once it is Fall and they are nowhere to be found. I am looking for something that has structure but is not very stiff. Let us know what you find.

minimalist

Ajoanna,

In tweed
http://www.kevinscatalog.com/t.....-vest.html
I've seen this one in person - it's gorgeous. Very feminine.

This one's not as fitted, but if it's same material as men's, it's not too stiff:
http://www.kevinscatalog.com/p.....-vest.html

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