Introduction

With summer now well and truly in top gear, dressing appropriately to combat the rising temperatures is imperative. Yet doing it in style is a task that tests even the most seasoned of dresser.

Out of the numerous wardrobe staples available for constructing summer-appropriate outfits, the vest is arguably the most polarising in opinion. Especially as its stock is currently high with some undesirable style tribes: Geordie Shore, Jersey Shore, hipsters etc.

However, as Will pointed out in a recent article, the vest is a modern essential that is perfect for tackling high summer heat. He also reminded us all that it’s very much a case of ‘how you wear, not what you wear’.

Today we take a look at a variety of ways to style the vest, covering multiple aesthetics, scenarios and occasions…

Ways To Wear: Vests

Men’s Vest Lookbook

First, let’s get the creative juices flowing with some modern lookbook examples:

Look One: Simple Summer Style

The structure of the vest makes it perfect for the heat. Breezy, cooling and loose; the piece is a godsend when tackling temperatures over thirty degrees. When summer strikes, stripping back your style is often the best practice, so forget about intricate layering, heavy materials and the like for the few months of sun we see.

With that in mind, the vest can become an integral part of any simple summer ensemble. A print on the vest – whether it’s bold and brave (see tie-dye) or a sparse and subtle embroider – is a great way of injecting some personality and a focal point into your look.

Counter the unfavorable associations of the vest by combining it with a set of superbly tailored shorts. A pair with a streamlined cut that finishes a few inches above the knee is ideal – don’t go too short in length and resist the bulk of the cargo or board short.