Tuesday, April 11, 2023

The 35 Best Sweater Vests To Channel Your Inner Dad

Once again, dads and nerds are absolutely winning the fashion game. We've already seen the rise of "ugly" sneakers, dad hats, Bermuda shorts, and '70s-style glasses. Now, with spring in full swing, we're officially in the era of the sweater vest. These sleeveless wonders didn't just appear out of the ether — luxury designers have been surfacing various styles throughout recent seasons — but spring means this trend is peaking. And, we already took it upon ourselves to browse the top online shops for the best sweater vests inspired by Dad.

The classic standards like argyle and cable-knit are well-represented, but what's more noteworthy are the fashion-forward silhouettes. There are massively oversized sweater vests that could be worn as tunics, itty-bitty cropped versions that fit like baby tees, and chunky technicolor knits that incorporate Y2K-style crochet patterns.

Ahead, shop 35 of the best sweater vest styles that are bonafide chic but also sure to get your pop's stamp of approval.

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Oversized Sweater Vests


Whether you wear one solo like a tank top or over a collared shirt, massive knit vests provide just the right amount of cozy professionalism.

Shop Anthropologie

Varley Varley Romelo Knit Vest, $, available at Anthropologie

Princess Polly Antonia Sweater Vest


Shop Princess Polly

Princess Polly Antonia Sweater Vest, $, available at Princess Polly

Naked Cashmere Valeria V-Neck Cashmere Sweater Vest


Shop Naked Cashmere

Naked Cashmere Valeria V-Neck Cashmere Sweater Vest, $, available at Naked Cashmere

J.ING Essential Khaki Knit Vest


Shop J.ING

J.ING Essential Khaki Knit Vest, $, available at J.ING

Hotapei Oversized Cable Knit Sweater Vest


Shop Hotapei

Hotapei Oversized Cable Knit Sweater Vest, $, available at Amazon

Uniqlo Cricket Long Vest


Shop Uniqlo

JW Anderson X Uniqlo Cricket Long Vest, $, available at Uniqlo

Cable-Knit Sweater Vests


Perhaps the most classic sweater vest of all, the cable-knit can be found crafted from wool blends with high crew-neck collars and more streamlined silhouettes that are perfect for layering over white button-downs. Wear one with your favorite pair of dad jeans.

Shop Artizia

Aritzia Winston Sweater Vest, $, available at Aritzia

Pact Cable-Knit Sweater Vest


Shop Pact

PACT Cable-Knit Sweater Vest, $, available at PACT

Veronica Beard Pinkett Cable-Knit Wool-Blend Vest


Shop Veronica Beard

Veronica Beard Pinkett Cable-Knit Wool-Blend Vest, $, available at mytheresa

Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cotton V-Neck Sweater Vest


Shop Polo Ralph Lauren

Polo Ralph Lauren Cable-Knit Cotton V-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Ralph Lauren

Naadam Cashmere Cable Knit Cropped Vest


Shop Naadam

Naadam Cashmere Cable Knit Cropped Vest, $, available at Naadam

Buttoned Sweater Vests


Sweater vests with buttons down the front might surpass dad style and go straight into grandpa territory. But with such sleek fabrics, such as ribbed knit and lightweight merino, who wouldn't want to wear what is essentially a sleeveless cardigan?

Shop Alex Mill

Alex Mill Eldridge Sweater Vest, $, available at Alex Mill

Reformation Jacqui Cashmere Sweater Vest


Shop Reformation

Reformation Jacqui Cashmere Sweater Vest, $, available at Reformation

NA-KD Knitted Rhinestone Button Vest


Shop NA-KD

NA-KD Knitted Rhinestone Button Vest, $, available at NA-KD

Yanyan Laza Jacquard Wool Blend Shrunken Crop Vest


Shop Yanyan

YanYan Laza Jacquard Wool Blend Shrunken Crop Vest, $, available at Nordstom

RE/DONE 90s Cardigan Vest



Shop RE/DONE

RE/DONE 90s Cardigan Vest, $, available at RE/DONE

Cropped Sweater Vests


These midriff-happy sweater vests are by far the most fashion-y style you could wear. The cropped length makes for an ideal combo with high-waisted jeans. Or, layer one atop an oversize button-down to create a cool silhouette straight out of Clueless.

Shop 525 America

Reformation Frankie Silk Dress Es, $, available at Reformation

Levi's Baby Blue Sweater Vest


Shop Levi's

Levi's Baby Blue Sweater Vest, $, available at Levi's

Boden Cropped V-Neck Sweater Vest


Shop Boden

Boden Cropped V-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Boden

Free People Santa Monica Vest


Shop Free People

Free People Santa Monica Vest, $, available at Free People

H&M Rib-Knit Sweater Vest


Shop H&M

H&M Rib-Knit Sweater Vest, $, available at H&M

Crochet & Knit Sweater Vests


Looser and airier — but also chunkier and likely warmer — than other sweater vests, crocheted and knit vests are the style to grab if you're into a more vintage look.

Shop Baum und Pferdgarten

Baum Und Pferdgarten Laura Rib-Knit Sweater Vest, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Design History Crochet Sweater Vest


Shop Design History

Design History Crochet Sweater Vest, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Monki Knitted Sweater Vest


Shop Monki

Monki Knitted Sweater Vest, $, available at ASOS

Ganni Knit Wool-Blend Vest


Shop Ganni

Ganni Knit Wool-Blend Vest, $, available at SSENSE

Farm Rio Multi Circles Crochet Vest


Shop Farm Rio

Farm Rio Multi Circles Crochet Vest, $, available at Shopbop

Turtleneck Sweater Vest


The most popular sweater vests are going to be V-necks, yes. But don't overlook the turtleneck sweater vest. It tends to be the most versatile of the bunch since it passes as a regular shirt (and a complete look).

Shop A New Day

A New Day Mock Turtleneck Ribbed Sweater Vest, $, available at Target

House Of Harlow 1960 x Revolve Gianna Turtleneck Cable Vest


Shop House of Harlow 1960

House of Harlow 1960 x Revolve Gianna Turtleneck Cable Vest, $, available at Revolve

Magali Pascal Fonda Vest


Shop Magali Pascal

Magali Pascal Fonda Vest, $, available at Revolve

Gentle Herd High Neck Knitted Pure Merino Wool Vest


Shop Gentle Herd

Gentle Herd High Neck Knitted Pure Merino Wool Vest, $, available at Gentle Herd

Gibsonlook Cable Stitch Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater



Shop Gibsonlook

Gibsonlook Cable Stitch Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater, $, available at Nordstrom

Hosbjerg Dorthea Sweater Vest


Shop Hosbjerg

Hosbjerg | Free People Dorthea Sweater Vest, $, available at Free People

Colorful Sweater Vests


The best sweater vest will add a pop to any outfit — whether it be with a sunshiny color or an eye-catching pattern. We love a good statement sweater vest!

Shop ME+EM

ME+EM Cotton Stripe Chevron Vest, $, available at ME+EM

Rails Libby Sweater Vest


Shop Rails

Rails Libby Sweater Vest, $, available at Revolve

Maje Melonie Clover Jacquard Sleeveless Sweater


Shop Maje

Maje Melonie Clover Jacquard Sleeveless Sweater, $, available at Nordstom

Urban Outfitters Paige Textured Sweater Vest



Shop Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters Paige Textured Sweater Vest, $, available at Urban Outfitters


Abercrombie and Fitch Cable Knit V-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Abercrombie and Fitch

Free People Quinn Sweater Vest


Shop Free People

Free People Quinn Sweater Vest, $, available at Free People

Polo Ralph Lauren Aran Cabled Sweater Vest


Shop Polo Ralph Lauren

Polo Ralph Lauren Aran Cabled Sweater Vest, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Free People Wilder Turtleneck Sweater Vest


Shop Free People

Free People Wilder Turtleneck Sweater Vest, $, available at Nordstrom

H&M Jacquard-Knit Sweater Vest


Shop H&M

H&M Jacquard-Knit Sweater Vest, $, available at H&M

Naadam Cashmere Sleeveless Turtleneck


Shop Naadam

Naadam Cashmere Sleeveless Turtleneck, $, available at Naadam

Crochet & Knit Sweater Vests


Looser and airier — but also chunkier and likely warmer — than other sweater vests, crocheted and knit vests are the style to grab if you're into a more vintage look.

Shop Farm Rio

Farm Rio Crochet Square Vest, $, available at ban.do

GANNI Graphic-Knit Vest Top


Shop Ganni

Ganni Graphic-Knit Vest Top, $, available at Farfetch

Naadam Cashmere Sleeveless Turtleneck


Shop Naadam

Naadam Cashmere Sleeveless Turtleneck, $, available at Naadam

Cropped Sweater Vests


These midriff-happy sweater vests are by far the most fashion-y style you could wear. The cropped length makes for an ideal combo with high-waisted jeans. Or, layer one atop an oversize button-up to create a cool silhouette straight out of Clueless.

Shop Maeve

Maeve Vera Jacquard Sweater Vest, $, available at Anthropologie

Madewell Ribbed Button-Up Sweater Vest


Shop Madewell

Madewell Ribbed Button-Up Sweater Vest, $, available at Madewell

FRNCH Crochet Knit Vest


Shop FRNCH

FRNCH Crochet Knit Vest, $, available at Nordstrom Rack

Abercrombie & Fitch Slim Cropped V-Neck Sweater Vest


Shop Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch Slim Cropped V-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Abercrombie & Fitch

Buttoned Sweater Vests


Sweater vests with buttons down the front might surpass dad style and go straight into grandpa territory. But with such sleek fabrics, such as ribbed knit and lightweight merino, who wouldn't want to wear what is essentially a sleeveless cardigan?

Shop Alex Mill

Alex Mill Francis Cardigan Vest in Donegal, $, available at Alex Mill

Envii Oversized Sweater Vest


Shop Envii

Envii Oversized Sweater Vest In Green Grid Check, $, available at ASOS

Wild Fable Oversized Sweater Vest


Shop Wild Fable

Wild Fable Oversized Sweater Vest, $, available at Target

English Factory Checker Knit Vest


Shop English Factory

English Factory Checker Knit Vest, $, available at Shopbop

Oversize Sweater Vests


Whether you wear one solo like a tank top or over a collared shirt, massive knit vests provide just the right amount of cozy professionalism.

Shop Anthropologie

By Anthropologie Oversized Cable-Knit Sweater Vest, $, available at Anthropologie

Comme des Garçons Black & Red Contrast Vest Cardigan


Shop Comme des Garçons

Comme des Garçons Black & Red Contrast Vest Cardigan, $, available at SSENSE


Pilcro Cable-Knit Tunic Vest, $, available at Anthropologie


& Other Stories Oversized Knit Vest, $, available at & Other Stories


Hotapei Oversized V-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Amazon


Pilcro Washed Sweater Vest, $, available at Anthropologie

Boden Relaxed Cable Sweater Vest


Shop Boden

Boden Relaxed Cable Sweater Vest, $, available at Boden


BDG Rowen Button-Front Sweater Vest, $, available at Urban Outfitters


Romwe Floral Crop Sweater Vest, $, available at Amazon


Madewell Cropped Sweater Vest, $, available at Madewell


Baum Und Pferdgarten Coastal Communities Coletta Wool-Blend Sweater Vest, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue


N\C Women's Knit Crochet Squares Sweater Vest, $, available at Amazon


LOULOU STUDIO Mélange wool and cashmere-blend turtleneck tank, $, available at Net-A-Porter


Mango cable knit roll neck sleeveless vest, $, available at ASOS

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