How I’m Wearing a Vest this Fall
Sometimes, fashion feels like one big repeat, but today, I’m styling something that feels a little more fresh and different —a fall vest! Vests have been trending since last year and are now hitting their stride.
Do you recall the yellow knit vest I wore this summer with a cute cream denim skirt?
Well, I loved it so much, that when I saw this chic burgundy knit vest, I scooped it up. Here’s how I’m styling this preppy women’s vest for fall.
shop the look
My Cable Knit Vest
There are all kind of vests out there right now, from more formal-looking suit vests to casual denim vests, but my favorite are knit vests.
It’s quite stylish to wear any vest alone with bare arms and chest, but that’s really not practical in the fall unless you live somewhere warm. So, here’s another option—a suited vest look!
How I Styled It
Start with a classy cable knit sweater vest. This one from @talbotsofficial comes in 5 colors: pink, teal, camel, black, and this gorgeous burgundy color that I can’t get enough of. Next, add a jacket. It’s very elegant to wear the same color jacket and vest.
It’s your choice what you want to wear underneath your vest. If a knit vest feels warm enough for you, you can go with just the vest. Or, you can layer it with a cute tank or tee, such as this tan striped tank. Then add this very comfy, stretchy blazer.
Another option is to wear a solid-color burgundy tee if you want a full-on monochromatic top half. All-burgundy would make this outfit look more formal.
Style Tip: Any kind of print breaks things up and gives your outfit a more sporty, playful vibe. Stripes in particular, are preppy!
The Best Wide Leg Jeans
As for my wide leg jeans – I love these! I wore them in March in Florida with an orange puff-sleeve top. (Yes, they are still available since they are bestsellers!)
Here’s why I love them. You know how some wide leg jeans are so wide they make your legs look like tree trunks? (Lol!) These don’t.
They are considered wide, but they not so wide through the thighs that you get that heavy, boxy look.
I also love the sporty patch pockets which add a playful feel and make the jeans look on-trend. These wide leg trousers also have built in stretch so they fit really well, but like with all Talbots pants I sized down. I’m normally a size 6 in pants but I wear a size 4 in Talbots pants.
Getting the Tone-On Tone Look
Don’t you love the gold military style buttons? They look so rich with burgundy, and the cable knit add so much beautiful texture. The outfit wouldn’t look as exciting if you has this same smooth burgundy jacket with a smooth burgundy vest.
Style Tip: When you are wearing color tone- on- tone, you need some texture to give your outfit dimension. The cable knit pattern and the gold metal stamped buttons make the vest look more 3D.
Why These Shoes?
Finally, just a note about my leopard flats, which I’ve had for a few years. I could worn this outfit with burgundy flats (a bit matchy-matchy), or black flats to co-ordinate with my bag, but instead I chose leopard.
I think adding some edgy leopard make the outfit look more creative.
Now, you might think you can’t mix prints ie: stripes and leopard, but you can! Style Tip: The key to mixing prints is to wear prints in the same color family. It helps to have the prints very different from each or different sizes.
Brown/camel leopard flats go with with my tan striped tee, and both prints look fantastic with burgundy! (You can read more about mixing colors and textures here).
One other thing … these flats are fine, but if you don’t have any leopard flats, I would suggest buying leopard slingback flats, (here too) as they will make the outfit look even more up to date!
The Jewelry
Let’s not forget about all the fabulous Dean Davidson jewelry I’m wearing. I’ve become such a fan that it’s practically all the jewelry I wear! So modern and elegant and you can wear it casually and not feel too dressed up!
My Go-To Bag
I haven’t mentioned my Polished Pebble Coach bag yet. Scroll up to see it.
It’s one of the best at it bags I own. You will see me wearing it with everything. I often sling it over my shoulder like this, or wear it with a long crossbody strap which is great when I want to be hands free.
This bag is the perfect size and always looks chic because of the pebbled texture and beautiful gold hardware. In fact, I think it looks far more expensive than it is, which suits me just fine!
Shop this Vest Look
How to Easily Shop this Look!
To shop this great Fall look, click the shop links above.
If you are reading this on your phone download the FREE LTK Shopping app ( at the app store) and follow @fabulousafter40 to shop this outfit and see all of my outfits on the blog, on IG, etc. in one easy shoppable place!
More Vests Here
Will you be wearing a vest this fall? I would love you to join me in my private Facebook group called Fabulous After 40 Dressing Room and post a photo for inspiration. Sign up here!
Hi Deborah, I like that vest, especially in the teal. I am unsure how practical it is, as I live in a very warm climate. I purchased a cream-colored sleeveless sweater recently and haven’t even worn it yet. It’s a heavier knit and just too warm out right now. LOL! Anyhow, that burgundy vest and blazer look great on you, and I love your choice of pairing the outfit with the leopard shoes. :)
Hi Carolyn, As much as I wish I lived in a warm climate year round, I must admit I would miss the cozy sweater days! This knit vest is just one of so many out there now. Perhaps a cotton knit vest would work for you or more of a suit vest. Either way it’s a classy new look for fall. Glad you like the leopard shoes. This is such a classic look I thought it would be fun to spice it up! Cheers, Deborah
I have noticed and been a little surprised by the growing vest trend. I would have never thought to do the tone-on-tone like you did with your vest and blazer, looks fabulous! I MUST copy your look! Thanks for the inspiration.
Hi Annie, I just love that color so I thought I’d go with the same color vest and jacket, plus it makes it a little more elegant than say having a green vest under a burgundy blazer. I tend to like that tone-on-tone look. Would love to see how it looks on you. Join my private Facebook Group- The Fabulous After 40 Dressing Room and post a photo there is you are so inclined! Here’s the link to join. Cheers! https://www.facebook.com/groups/814404065437397