In the fashion sector, nothing is clear-cut and easily defined. Just think of one of the most iconic pieces in the men's wardrobe: the vest. A symbol of class and elegance for centuries, in the 1960s it began to spread on women's fashion runways, with results that today enrich not only casual and urban outfits, but also elegant and professional ones.

Want to experiment with this piece and create new looks? Here's a guide to styling women's vests!

From the French court to women's runways: how was the vest born?

When it comes to fashion, France is often a step ahead of other countries, and the history of the vest confirms this. This piece became popular among gentlemen at the court of Louis XIV, soon spreading abroad as well. At the beginning of the 19th century, the refined Lord Brummell - a well-known representative of dandyism - adopted it and gave it a touch of sobriety (the meaning of vest is closely linked to its sleeveless design, according to the Turkish etymology yelek), while some exponents of futurism revisited it in a colorful, vibrant, and dynamic key.

In the 1940s, the Teddy Boys - young rebels with extravagant clothes and voluminous quiffs - adopted the waistcoat in street style as a distinctive element, but only in the 1960s did this piece reach women's collections, as a substitute for the suit or as the protagonist of boho style. Crocheted or fringed versions became popular, attractive vests with an androgynous style, rock versions, or pieces with an evident feminine touch, while in subsequent years a vest model increasingly linked to urban style took hold.

This blend of styles has continued to today, making the women's waistcoat a versatile piece, not only casual and rebellious, but also elegant and professional!

Weddings and summer ceremonies: the modern appeal of the vest

What makes the vest so popular in today's fashion is its extraordinary versatility: its classic appearance lends itself well to creating an outfit with formal and elegant tones, but without the structured touch of more rigid suits. Here's a guide to understand how to wear a vest during a summer ceremony that's not too serious!

Ideal fabrics, models, and styling for women's vests

During a casual wedding or elegant summer ceremony, the dress code requires a clean look, but also modern and vibrant. In these cases, the vest represents a perfect substitute for the skirt or pantsuit, or more sophisticated dresses.

The vest can be, for example, the protagonist of a suit, buttoned over elegant tailored pants, with carefully pressed pleats, with single or double pleats. Regular fit is excellent, but even more modern and appealing are oversized or palazzo pants, as long as the crotch isn't too low, so as not to widen the figure.

Outfits with midi skirts are a good choice to amplify the femininity of the look, but they're less common, while unexpected - but far from unusual, especially in recent years - are combinations between summer women's vests and bermuda shorts, as long as the shorts respect the criteria for elegant occasions: tailored model, quality fabric, elegant pleat, and sober appearance.

With high-waisted pants, the ideal vest is the crop one, reaching to the hip, useful for elongating the figure. In this case, a functional and elegant detail is the back closure, to make the vest adhere better to the bust. However, the long sleeveless vest model is also very current, paired with the same pieces, characterized by a masculine cut, but precisely for this reason appealing and modern. A single-breasted model will give the look a slightly more carefree and easy tone, while double-breasted vests - very chic - add a classic, almost vintage touch, but not at all rigid.

Compared to men's fashion, which generally features a vest worn over a shirt - not necessarily in a formal key - today's women's fashion prefers elegant vests worn against the skin, without the need for a lower layer to complicate the look. This styling gives lightness and a touch of carefreeness that doesn't compromise the outfit's elegance at all.

Regarding fabrics and colours, summer trends highlight breathable and lightweight suits in linen or linen blend, the latter excellent for reducing the risk of wrinkles and creases, with soft tones of beige, sage or mint green, forest green, coral, light blue, light grey, or matte pink. Pastel tints or vibrant colorations (but not too bright) are a good idea to maintain elegance without overdoing seriousness. White should be avoided - the bride's colour - black, or tones that are too dark, unsuitable for this occasion.

Women's accessories and shoes to complete the elegant vest look

As with every outfit, accessories are not a minor detail, but an essential style element. The watchword in this case is modern elegance, that is, something that gives the look a sophisticated and chic tone, but without overdoing classicism.

Among handbag models, the clutch is the most suitable, discreet and elegant, excellent for not stealing the scene from an outfit that deserves full attention. The V-neck, usually the most popular, makes it possible to pair with medium-length necklaces, combined with sober-looking bracelets. For footwear, slingback pumps or sandals with ankle straps or bands work well.

Tips for wearing women's vests in the office

The aforementioned versatility of the women's sleeveless vest means that this fashion piece lends itself very well to less elegant contexts, but still characterized by a certain level of formality, as in the case of business casual or business formal outfits.

Regarding colours and fabrics, roughly the same considerations apply, but with some attention to formal suits, which require darker and more neutral tones like black, anthracite, grey, and blue.

Women's vests in casual or less formal office outfits

In office looks with a medium level of formality, such as in youthful environments with a slightly casual atmosphere, it's possible to play with separates and contrasts, to assume a professional but relaxed tone.

In this context, single-breasted women's vest models are popular, especially those that aren't too structured, capable of softly hugging the body. Crop or regular versions are excellent in this sense, worn open over a t-shirt or tank top without prints with a basic cut, or over a light blouse in light colours, but long women's vest models shouldn't be excluded either, capable of highlighting the lower layer thanks to oversized shapes.

These vest models amplify the professional appeal of the outfit when paired with chino pants with stretch fabric, preferably long or just above the ankle. The separate look in this case is suitable for the context, but nothing prevents creating a match between pants and vest. Pairing this element with a pair of classic jeans, finally, isn't a bad idea at all to amplify the casual component of the look, as long as you opt for regular models and do it within the right context.

Formal office looks: which women's vest to choose

Different is the business formal look, as it requires a higher level of seriousness and a requirement for chromatic and stylistic coherence, which is why combinations between vests and pants of the same color are more popular and appreciated.

In this context, generally, the women's summer vest is an excellent piece to substitute for the jacket of a suit, therefore worn not against the skin, but layered over a sober and elegant lower layer. Alternatively, it's possible to use it as an under-jacket vest, pairing it with an elegant upper layer.

Models can be single or double-breasted - the latter endowed with a touch more formality and classicism - but strictly with the vest buttons closed. Ban jeans or casual-style models, in favor of tailored pants or elegant skirts. Among the latter, pencil models or monochrome flared midis are popular, as long as they maintain a chic and sober appearance.

Best accessories and footwear for an office look

This guide to styling elegant women's vests closes with a brief mention of accessories, which must maintain a certain elegance, but also much formality. Alongside classy and understated jewelry, an office-appropriate look prefers structured leather tote bags, in slightly brighter colors only in more relaxed contexts. 24-hour briefcases are also not bad, especially in formal settings.

The waistline can be defined by thin belts in matte leather or - for business casual - in suede, while an extra touch of style can be given by a light scarf in cotton or silk, depending on the level of elegance you want to achieve.

Finally, footwear shouldn't be neglected, as it's also a fundamental style element. Relaxed models like sneakers, loafers, flats, or light sandals are accepted only in business casual contexts, as well as moccasins with a not-too-formal cut, while in environments where formality is an essential criterion, elegant moccasins in dark leather, medium-heeled pumps, or elegant closed-toe slingbacks are popular.