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Fashion Vests

"Chic Ways to Wear a Vest"

Ruffle Shirt Vest from Bebe
Many relate fashion vests to too-casual fashion that only young teens are wearing when in fact they can be worn professionally at work and at conservative occasions.

From denim vests to pullover sweater vests, you'll discover what kind of chic outfits you can squeeze out of them.

Guidelines to Wearing a Vest

Korean fashion how to wear a fashion vest

Via Yes Style

Layer it with other winter pieces

Don't be afraid to layer it up with turtleneck and v neck sweaters, denim jeans and wool pants. Trés chiqué!

Minikiss icon Rotate in the closet wheel.

Instead of the standard jeans and vest-outfit, pair a vest with shorts, skirts, dresses, dress shirts and cute tops! Click here for more outfit ideas on how to wear vests

Minikiss icon Look sweet and feminine.

Offset the "too-laidback" look by pairing a vest with a floral dress, voluminous gypsy skirts, bubble skirts, and even ruffle blouses!

Minikiss icon Make sure that the style and cut flatters your body shape.

Whether you like it or not, a vest can sometimes make you look chunkier around the middle. Click here for more tips on how to pick the right vest for your body shape.

Minikiss icon Wear it as your key piece.

It's very fashionable but make sure you balance out the look by wearing it with a basic top, pants and minimum accessories.

Now let's take a look at 9 stylish ways to wear womens vests:

1. With a Camisole or Tank Top with Casual Jeans

For the summer months, pair cotton vests with a plain tank top or a cute camisole.

The best way to wear it is to let a little tank top peak up from your chest and the rest of it out from the bottom.

So make sure the top is long enough, and that the arm holes on the vest are not too low.

Via Macy's, Urban Outfitters, Bebe

2. With a Dress

If you love the boho look pair it with a flowy summer dress. It works great with all dress sleeves; short, 3/4 to full length. But make sure you wear a solid tailored vest on top of it.

Vest with dress outfits

Via Style&Co at Macy's, Polyvore, Bergdorf Goodman

Tips:

If your dress has a lot of colors, choose one of the shades and wear a vest that matches it.
Want more curves? Unbutton the vest and wrap a skinny belt around it and your waist.

3. With a Blouse

Fashion vests look fab with both solid colored and print shirts and blouses.

Vest with blouse outfits

Via American Rag at Macy's, Alfani at Macy's, Free People

Tip: Make sure you look proportional. So choose a blouse with the right length. Having too much of your shirt showing at the bottom can make you look frumpy.

4. As a Part of an Office Work Outfit

If you've seen Maggie Gyllenhaal's character in Batman: The Dark Knight, then I'm sure you noticed how she wore a black dress shirt vest for a corporate lawyer look. She paired it with a classic white tailored shirt and a sexy black wide leg dress pants.

Vest office work outfits

Via Imdb, Alloy, MK2K at Ssense

Tip:You can also wear it as a suspender vest. A suspender vest sits below the chest and looks like suspenders.

5. As a Top By Itself with Dress Pants or Flared Pants

A famous Victoria Beckham-look. The trick here is to avoid wearing a tacky or short vest, showing off your cleavage or midriff. And as with a tank top, make sure the holes don't go too low and that the straps sit perfect on your sholders.

Pair it with wide/flared leg pants or low rider jeans.

Via JustJared

Tip: This look will show off your arms, so make sure you have toned arms. No offence, but if you have flabby big arms the vest will only enhance that, making you look heavier at the top. That's why I never wear this look... Gotta do my Pilates first!

6. With a Print Tee

Whether it be a skull, slogan or Disney print, a vest will help tone down the t-shirt statement.

Vest with print tee outfits

Via Urban Outfitters, Polyvore

A cool way to wear it is to leave the vest open, revealing the print.

7. With a Fitted Turtleneck Sweater

A chic fall look that look good on almost anyone.

Vest with turtleneck sweater outfits

Via Fabulous Furs, Polyvore

Make sure you pick a semi-fitted tailored turtleneck with the plain vest.

8. With Matching Bottom

It might be on the edge to costume-land but the trick to keep it modern and chic, is compliment it up with accessories like a belt, hat, jewelry, etc.

Vest with matching bottom outfits

Via Ralph Lauren at Macy's, Bebe

Tip: It's ok to wear denim with denim vests, as long as the bottom (or vice versa) is darker or lighter than the vest.

9. As a Fashion Statement

Wear a detailed vest on top of a basic tee to create a strong fashion statement. Make sure your upper half is one of your best assets, as it can highlight that area.

Vest as fashion statement outfits, party evening vests

Vest as fashion statement outfits, party evening vests

Via Urban Outfitters

Layer The Vest With Accessories

You can make your own twist with three superb accessories: A necklace, belt and your favorite scarf.

Necklace

If you're wearing a vest with a plain top you can use the top as a blank canvas and add a bold necklace. Like for example a layered, colored or huge-beaded necklace.

You can also slim down your upper part with a long pendant necklace.

Click here for more fashion tips and advice on fashion jewelry.

Belt

If you want to create more curves on your shape you can easily belt the vest. But make sure the vest is long enough to give a little volume at the bottom. This is a quick-fix that can give you curvy hips, luscious booty and a defined waist!

You can also use the belt to make a too-big vest look like it fits.

Click here to learn more abour womens fashion belts.