How to style a knitted vest: outfit ideas for vests and sweater vests

Style a knitted vest over a blouse, a simple long sleeve top or a fine turtleneck, with high-waisted tailored pants, straight jeans or a midi skirt. The same rules apply to a sweater vest: keep the top underneath thin and let the pants meet it at the waist.

The knitted vest is back, and with it a question many people have not had to answer since their school days: what do I wear underneath, and how do I avoid looking like I am in costume? Yet the vest works well for layering. Here you will find which tops work underneath, how to wear the vest open, closed or with nothing underneath, and which pants and skirts go with it every day.

Why the knitted vest works so well

A knitted vest keeps you warm where it matters, on the upper body, and leaves the arms free. This makes it lighter than a sweater and more flexible than a cardigan. It adds color, pattern or texture to an outfit without the whole outfit having to revolve around it.

It is one of the few layers you can keep on indoors without getting too warm. You will find a selection in the knitted vests.

Knitted vest or sweater vest: what is the difference?

A sweater vest usually means a sleeveless knit without buttons that you pull over your head like a sweater. A classic knitted vest, on the other hand, often has a button placket or a fastening at the front. In everyday use the terms are often used interchangeably.

When styling, they hardly differ: a sweater vest always looks like a closed vest, while a knitted vest with buttons can also be worn open.

What do I wear under a knitted vest?

Blouse. The classic combination. A blouse with a collar that falls over the V-neck and sleeves that come loosely out of the vest looks neat yet soft. Muslin works especially well because the light fabric does not add bulk under the knit. More in the muslin blouses and in the article how to style a muslin blouse. How to wear a blouse under a sweater is shown in the guide blouse under a sweater.

Long sleeve top. The casual option. A simple top in white or cream keeps the vest in the foreground. You will find matching styles in the long sleeve tops.

Fine turtleneck. A warm combination on cold days. The turtleneck should be thin, so nothing bunches up under the vest.

Open, closed or on its own

Closed. The vest sits over the top like a sweater. This looks neat and shows pattern or texture clearly.

Open. A vest with buttons or ties worn open forms a vertical line. This works especially well over a plain top.

On its own. On warmer days, a closed vest can also be worn with nothing underneath, turning it into a top. This looks modern, but needs a vest that sits well at the neckline and is not too loose.

Which pants go with a knitted vest?

Straight or wide tailored pants are an elegant partner. The vest usually ends at or just above the hips, and high-waisted pants meet it directly. This creates clear proportions. There is a selection in the pants.

Jeans make the look more relaxed. A straight cut in mid blue goes with almost any vest color. You will find styles in the jeans.

Tucking the vest in or letting it end just above the waistband creates a line at the waist. Worn loosely over the top, the outfit looks more casual.

Knitted vest outfit with a skirt or skort

With a midi skirt, a short knitted vest looks particularly harmonious, because it ends at the waist and the skirt falls from there. A blouse underneath makes the outfit office-ready, a T-shirt more casual. You will find more skirt ideas in the guide how to style a skirt.

The vest also works well with a skort, and not only in summer. In fall, simply add tights and boots. You will find matching pieces in the skorts, and ideas for the cold season in the article how to wear a skort in winter.

Patterns and colors

Striped, patterned or colored vests are an easy way to liven up a simple outfit. The rule: if the vest is patterned, keep the rest plain. A stripe in the vest may pick up a color from the pants or blouse, which looks intentional.

Plain vests in cream, beige or brown are the calm basics that go with almost everything.

More about styling knitwear is in the article how to style a knitted sweater.

Matching pieces in the shop: women's sweaters and vests and women's knitted vests.