The sweater vest is super in this winter and I really wanted to get in on the trend after I found the perfect style in stock at my local H&M. Seriously, I recommend checking out the stores if an item you love is out of stock. I usually have good luck with that! Also, if you’re facing the opposite of this problem and are currently overwhelmed with bulky clothes, check out this post. I shared some of my tips for cooler temps or being in spaces where the temperature changes a lot.
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H&M SWEATER VEST (Try in store!, SIMILAR) // AMERICAN EAGLE DENIM // FRYE BOOTS (NEW STYLE) // BAG VIA ROSS (SIMILAR) // URBAN OUTFITTERS HAT (SIMILAR) // H&M EARRINGS (SIMILAR) // RAY-BAN SUNGLASSES // SIMILAR CHAIN NECKLACE
FIND THE RIGHT SWEATER VEST
Obviously, the first step is finding the right sweater vest style. When I started my hunt, I had initially seen some more.. vintage styles. They were straight up the argyle sweater vests my brother used to wear. And while I’m all for cyclical style, I’m just not ready to get on board. I saw this H&M cable knit vest and knew it was perfect – but it was out of stock. So, I stalked it online for awhile, but finally decided to try the store and had great luck. I sized up to a medium, which is a bit bulkier. But I wanted the length to be able to wear it with leggings as well.
Whatever your style preference is (cable, argyle, plain, etc.), keep these tips in mind:
A more fitted style will pull a more spring-y look as it appears more like a tank. The chunkier and looser the sweater is, the more seasonally appropriate it will be in winter because of the connotation those fabrics and cuts have and the associations we make when we see them. An oversized fit is also trendier than a fitted style, unless it is also cropped.
A BASE LAYER IS STILL ESSENTIAL
The current style of sweater vest usually has a pretty large arm area, so I recommend wearing a base layer. First, it will keep your core warm in a breeze (chunky knit sweaters are very ineffective during winds, annoyingly). Second, it might get a little too much of a spring knit tank look if your skin is poking out
You can also opt for a lighter weight button front shirt, collar undone and sleeves cuffed, if you prefer the look of having something underneath your sweater vest. This style really suits no undershirt because the shoulder fits almost like a sleeve, but a more classically fit sweater vest will pull like a tank without a shirt underneath it.
DON’T GO TOO WINTERY WITH THE REST OF THE LOOK
By that, I really mean snow boots, especially if your arms are bare. A western boot is very on trend with this look, so I stuck to the style with my trusty Frye boots, so a boot is definitely a good way to keep the look in winter. But you don’t want to draw the eye with elements that are obviously meant for a completely different climate. This chunky sweater vest is even a bit wintery, but the hat sort of brings that down in contrast, which makes my bare arms make a little more sense. The hat is also felt, a more winter/fall fabric, balancing the spring color. It’s all about creating balance between the elements in your look!
How do you feel about the sweater vest trend? Are you here for it, or do you wish it would have stayed in the past?
