How to wear a sweater vest without looking like a nerd (2024)

FAQs

How to wear a sweater vest without looking like a nerd? ›

The sweater vest can be worn alone. You can layer it over a T-shirt, blouse, or button shirt to either dress it up or down. Wearing it under a blazer adds some interest (and warmth) to a suited look. Consider adding it over a sheath dress or shirtdress.

Sweater vests also look great with practically anything. Pops of color or patterns on sweater vests add sophistication to any basic outfit. Contrary to my previous beliefs, wearing a sweater vest does not automatically make the wearer a nerd, professor or grandpa.

Play with volume.

If you're wearing a more fitted vest, consider balancing it with a higher volume pant or skirt. Longer vests look great with skinny jeans, faux leather leggings, or tights with tall boots. Don't be afraid to pair your sweater vest with a top that has statement sleeves or a more ornate collar.

You can wear your sweater vest under a leather or suede jacket, or our current favorite, a shirt jacket. You can even wear your vest on its own as a standalone top! We have styled one of our current favorite sweater vests several ways to give you some style inspiration.

We'd recommend leaving a thicker sweater vest untucked to allow for that casual bagginess to work its magic, but a thinner sweater vest can be tucked in with great results, especially if worn with nothing underneath, creating a striking silhouette — like our Nawa Pinstripe Vest.

Argyle, plaid, and pinstripes are nerdy staples. Try polka dots for a quirkier look. You can wear these patterns on your shirts, sweaters jackets, or even on your pants.

Sweater vests can be tucked into jeans or skirts to create a flattering silhouette and unique shape. They can also be left untucked for a more casual look. I especially like to wear an oversized sweater vest that can hang over leggings or skinny jeans.

The sweater vest is making a stylish comeback. Check out these outfit ideas and ways to style this classic fashion piece.

Even though people thought it was a fashion faux pax, the sweater vest was actually designed keeping functionality in mind. It was made for people indulging in sports like rowing, in order to encourage sweating and weight loss.

Over the past few years, and especially during the summer season, the summer sweater vest has proven that it's here to stay. What was once a slightly ironic play on the grandad aesthetic has become a pretty standard fixture not only on the backs of celebs but also on the runway.

Is it OK to wear vest under t-shirt? ›

If you live in hot and humid climatic conditions, then vests are an absolute necessity. It absorbs the sweat from your body and prevents it from seeping into your upper shirt or T-shirt. Thus it also helps to fend off sweat staining of your shirt.

Of course, sweater vests can come in every color of the rainbow, but there is a whole world of fun prints to explore too. If a statement style is outside of your comfort zone, you can always pair it back to jeans or black pants to let the top shine.

If you want to adopt a more contemporary, “alternative dandy” style, you can wear a single-breasted waistcoat on a shirt without a jacket. However, this choice must always be tied to informal and sporting contexts only.

For business casual, no tie is necessary. A sweater vest over a dress shirt or a blazer is also acceptable.

Even though people thought it was a fashion faux pax, the sweater vest was actually designed keeping functionality in mind. It was made for people indulging in sports like rowing, in order to encourage sweating and weight loss.

Fashion. Sweater vests are popular among sports fans, particularly those who play golf.