How to Style a Sweater Vest as a Grown Woman

It was inevitable. Anything worn in high school and college seems to have returned to the fashion scene. But how do we style a sweater vest outfit as a grown-ass woman? I already did the '90s version, and I have no desire to repeat it. Here's how to style a sweater vest in a way that is sophisticated yet fun, practical yet stylish, and perfect for us grown-ass women.

This post may look familiar to you; I republished it because trends change and this change has morphed since its original posting a few years ago. While sweater vests are still considered chic, the proportions have changed. Don't worry, I'll help demystify all this and provide you with real-life styling tips!

Revisiting Past Fashion Trends As an Adult

The key to re-wearing a trend from your past is not to be literal. Flip through your photos (because, thank goodness, we didn't have social media or smartphones back then), and you'll see you wore sweater vests with shrunken “baby” tees, oversized button-front shirts (likely stolen from your male relative, or scored at the thrift store), and often as the sole garment on the top half of your body.

Just because a garment held a certain type of “vibe” or aesthetic decades ago doesn't mean it still does. That being said, if you have absolutely NO desire to revisit the sweater vest trend, you don't need to. As a grown-ass woman, you wear whatever the heck makes you happy, and if revisiting a trend doesn't make you happy, leave it in the past. Nothing is more stylish than trusting yourself.

But also, unless it's your personal style aesthetic, you don't want to wear sweater vests in the same manner as you did the last time. They've been revamped and modernized for a reason—the key is to make the trend feel fresh and new, with only a subtle hint of the past.

It's a good thing most retailers that cater to a range of ages are styling sweater vests in a way that is modern with a classic lean. They're similar yet different from the '90s and very wearable in various settings and for a range of personal style aesthetics and body types.

How to Style a Sweater Vest as a Grown-Ass Woman

Focus on Proportion

A few years ago, the primary way to style a sweater vest had a big oversized cream vest over a white button-front shirt. This combination was either worn like a minidress (with bare legs and usually over-the-knee or tall wide calf boots) or styled with faux leather leggings and booties. And I don't recommend this look any longer.

Proportions have changed. Clothing has a better fit, and styles play with fitted and loose, traditional and street style, and trends have gone from showing a lot of leg to showing a bit of skin on the top half. This is a big change from when I last wrote about the sweater vest trend, but that doesn't mean you need to toss your current sweater vests.

Depending on the weight of the knit, your oversized sweater vest can be tucked in or you can use a Beltaway to create a faux tuck to shorten the length. For tips on how to tuck in a sweater, check out this article. You really don't want your sweater vest to go below your hips.

If you are wearing a shirt under your sweater vest, that too should be trimmed down. Unless you're confident with proportion, tuck in the hem of the base layer, keep the sleeves unrolled, and have the shirt fit, not be oversized or “boyfriend” cut.

If you're wearing a button-front shirt under your vest, the collar should be visible but not folded over the neck perfectly like a school uniform unless your shirt has a statement collar (lace, ruffled, Peter Pan, etc.). Either pop the collar of your button-down or adjust the shirt and vest so that the folded collar top peeks out.

On the bottom half, you want a bit of volume. No need for palazzo pants or a ballskirt, but straight- to wide-leg denim, chinos, cords, or classic trousers are a good choice. If you love skirts, look for a midi-length. Switching out the bare legs and leggings for a fuller silhouette will instantly update your oversized sweater vests.

Clean and Classic

If you wish to dip your toes into the sweater vest trend this season, I recommend starting simple. When the sweater trend arrived a couple of years ago, it was often a cream or tan sweater over a crisp white button-front shirt. That look is still on trend, so continue to wear it.

However, these days, you don't have to stick to shades of beige. A solid-colored or subtly striped sweater vest that hits at or slightly below the waistband is a good addition to the wardrobe. V-neck to mock neck, sleeveless to cap sleeves, straight, side slits, or banded hem… if it has a straight to relaxed fit, it will be versatile. It also very likely may be found at thrift and resale shops.

Under the vest, keep it clean and classic. A tailored to slightly relaxed button-front shirt (this is my absolute favorite white shirt – no iron and great for curves) continues to be chic. White is a safe bet, though a classic oxford is also an option.

For warmer temperatures, consider a fitted knit top: Long-sleeved fitted tees, baby tees, and tanks are on trend, and white is the easiest color to style. Come spring, your vest can be your shirt without any need for a visible base layer.

On the bottom, you again want a straight- to wide-leg choice. I love sweater vests and button-front shirts styled with this season's midi-length denim, leather, and corduroy skirts and a pair of tall boots or sneakers.

Pattern Play

Patterns are popular right now, and with it, comes patterned sweater vests. You'll see some looking like haute couture and many looking as though they were kept from a 90s Delia's catalog order or scored in the men's section of a thrift store. You will find intarsia prints, classic Fair Isle and Argyle prints, stripes, and pretty much any color under the sun.

Pattern play is hot right now; pair an argyle vest with plaid pants, a Fair Isle vest with a leopard-print blouse, or jazz up a printed dress by topping it with a shrunken-fit sweater vest in one of the least used colors in the dress print. A trim-fitting patterned sweater is a great choice to temper the voluminous dresses that have been popular in the past couple of years.

Pop of Print

If you like the clean look but prefer a bit of interest, there is a sweater vest look for you, too! A printed sweater vest with a solid base layer and bottom, or a solid-colored vest with printed top or bottom is quite chic and very wearable to work, for weekend, and social occasions. From bold stripes to classic Argyle, colorful crochet to ombre angora, a printed sweater vest can easily update your closet staples.

To add interest, play with volume by pairing your vest with wide-leg pants, baggy jeans, or a fuller midi-length skirt. Style it over your shirt and under a blazer for a “borrowed from the boys” look. And don't be afraid to treat your printed vest as your top.

The Sweater Vest Trend: Styling Tips

These days, you can totally rock any trend in any way that makes you happy. Gone are the days when you have to adhere to rigid fashion “rules” to look stylish. If you're thrilled sweater vests are back so you can recreate looks you wore or wanted to wear in the past, go for it. You'll look amazing. But if you want some basic guidelines on how to style a sweater vest for here and now, this list is for you:

You can't go wrong with a white shirt.

Take that white shirt that gapes at the bust, the one that is a hair too long or too short, and style it under your sweater vest. Have a few buttons unbuttoned at the collar for a relaxed look, or button all the way up for a classic effect. Wear the cuffs down and buttoned or down and unbuttoned; if you cuff, keep it very clean and with the sleeves wrist-to-brace length for a modern (and weather-appropriate) effect.

A white T-shirt is a classic.

Whether it's a traditional unisex fit, a shrunken style with cap sleeves, or fitted with long sleeves, a white T-shirt is a good base layer for letting your sweater vest be the focal point of your ensemble.

Keep accessories simple.

Whether it's a cream sweater vest with a white shirt or a purple polka-dot vest over a plaid blouse, let the vest take the spotlight. No necklace is needed, and unless it's your signature style, earrings can also be smaller and more subtle.

Play with volume.

If you're wearing a more fitted vest, consider balancing it with a higher-volume pant or skirt. If your vest is a looser fit, pair it with straight-leg ankle jeans and/or a fitted tee. Don't be afraid to pair your sweater vest with a top that has statement sleeves or a more ornate collar.

Layer it with a coat.

When the temperatures start to drop, pair your favorite sweater dress with a longer coat for added warmth and style. If you're wearing a neutral-toned sweater vest outfit, you can pair it with a patterned coat. If you've decided to go with a patterned vest, wear a neutral-toned coat to balance the look.

Mix textures.

When you want to have fun mixing and matching different textures in one outfit, a sweater vest is the perfect piece to experiment with. Since your sweater vest will most likely be knit, try mixing it with leather pants or satin wide-leg trousers. The key here is to balance one coarse texture with another one that's sleeker and soft. It's both visually interesting and cohesive.

Add a belt.

Adding a belt to your sweater vest look is an easy way to provide more structure if that's what you want. If you snagged a boxier sweater vest that you wish to add some form back into, cinching a belt is a good way to do this. If you want the visual aesthetic, grab your favorite statement belt and keep it loose.

Opt for a v-neck.

A v-neck sweater vest (or a v-neck top to go underneath) is a great option for creating an elongated silhouette. Continue the concept by wearing your shirt unbuttoned a few buttons or a hidden base layer to create the effect of a longer neck.

Layer it with a blazer.

If you want to incorporate sweater vests into your business casual wardrobe, pairing a blazer on top is a fashionable mix of style and sophistication. The structure of the blazer seamlessly complements the softness of the vest.

Break up monochromatic looks.

If you're wearing a sleek monochromatic look, use your sweater vest as a fun way to break things up and add some color. It's a great way to add depth, making your outfit more dynamic.

Add a leather jacket.

Wearing a leather jacket on top of your sweater vest may feel conflicting in terms of aesthetic, but it's actually a nice way to bring a cool contrast to your look, making it polished and sleek. It allows you to add a slightly edgy aesthetic without feeling like you're overdoing it.

Thrift it!

While you may not wish to revisit the exact look you may have worn a few decades ago, that doesn't mean you can't find a vest at the thrift store that will achieve the exact effect you want now. Check out the men's section, where you may find more vests in classic patterns that will give you the modern sweater vest trend that's so hot right now.

What do you think of the sweater vest trend? Do you plan on rocking it this season? I'd love to hear how you plan to style a sweater vest or if you have already incorporated one into your wardrobe!