We love a vest. Whether it's a structured waistcoat or a cozy oversized knit, they never fail to complete any outfit — and keep us comfy. But with their versatility can also come confusion.
You might think that something thick yet sleeveless could only be called upon for some very specific in-between weather, but there are ways to make sure you're getting the most out of your purchase. After all, being able to get creative with outfits means the pieces in our wardrobes get maximum wear, ensuring we're not contributing to overconsumption. But sometimes we get stumped. And when the outfit block comes around, the only course of action to take is to look at our social feeds for the right inspiration to reignite the spark. This season vest styles are trending in more varieties than ever, from the cowboycore-approved denim waistcoat to the classic sweater vest.
Here to guide your sleeveless endeavours are seven kinds of vests you’ll be able to throw on and go this spring — along with expert styling tips from creators on the ‘gram.
Scroll on for vest style ideas for the season ahead.
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
The Tailored Waistcoat
The revival of the waistcoat has been a blessing. We love injecting them into casual outfits with denim and tees, donning a matching set or even channelling the menswear-inspired trend with a crisp shirt and tie combo.
Aligne Leo Denim Pinstripe Waistcoat, $, available at Aligne
The Frankie Shop Gelso Grain de Poudre and Satin Vest, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Mango Suit Vest with Buttons, $, available at Mango
The Cropped Sweater Vest
These vests are a breeze to style. Simply wear it on its own as a cozy top or layer over a balloon-sleeve blouse when the occasion arises.
Ganni Green Cotton Rope Vest, $, available at Ganni
Urban Renewal Remade Spliced Argyle Sweater Vest, $, available at Urban Outfitters
A linen waistcoat gives you the best of both worlds for the warmer months: a tailored look and weather-appropriate feel. Pair with jeans or midi skirts, layer over dresses or tees, and don’t forget to pack for your next sunny holiday.
Banana Republic Lina Linen Vest, $, available at Banana Republic
Dissh Sloan Black Sleeveless Linen Blend Vest, $, available at Dissh
Reformation Aspen Linen Top, $, available at Reformation
The Button-Up Knit Vest
Layering is key with this style. Try wearing over a basic T-shirt and under a blazer or trench coat for a more polished feel.
Prints have been shining this year, from the leopard print renaissance, to the Western fashion revival. A printed vest can bring any outfit from drab to fab.
Lisa Says Gah Riley Vest, $, available at Lisa Says Gah
All Saints Underground Reversible Leopard Vest, $, available at Revolve
Pilcro Crew-Neck Sweater Vest, $, available at Anthropologie
The Utility Vest
Quilted and puffy, you'd think these vests would be hard to style. But what makes them pop is when they're paired with loose knitwear and flowy silhouettes — anything too structured can make them look boxy.
Carhartt Work In Progress Green Skyler Vest, $, available at SSENSE
Nigel Preston Waistcoat Utility Top, $, available at Free People
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All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission.
Coachella just wrapped up its first weekend of festivities and, after reviewing all the celebrity looks, we decided that Taylor Swift took home the “Comfiest Festival Outfit Award.” Swift made her first Coachella appearance in six years on April 13 in a tank top, leather jacket, and tenniscore-inspired skirt to cheer on Bleachers and Ice Spice. Swift has been wearing darker, preppy outfits — presumably to welcome her new era and reference her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, which drops on Friday, April 19 — and this all-black outfit was no exception.
While there was a lot of commotion around her New Heights baseball cap, which refers to her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s podcast with his brother Jason, our eyes were fixated on a different (TikTok-viral) item: A pleated tennis skirt with a garter from trendy athleticwear brand Halara.
Swift wore the athletic brand’s Breezeful 2-in-1 Adjustable Buckle Mini Skirt (more technically, a skort!) that has gained a cult following on TikTok thanks to its unusual garter detailing. Constructed from “soft to the touch” fabric with “four-way stretch, breathability, and sweat-wicking qualities” — making it the perfect piece to wear for a music festival — the fashion-forward workout piece is available in sizes 0 through 3X in 10 colorways and boasts a 4.5 out of 5-star rating with over 1K reviews on Halara’s site.
So whether you’re looking to channel Taylor Swift at Coachella, Zendaya in Challengers, or influencers on TikTok, this viral under-$40 tennis skirt may just be your next purchase.
Throughout the year, a few red carpets capture our attention, but there’s only one that has us talking for days afterwards. Of course, we’re talking about the Met Gala. Hosted at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the Met Gala is the most exciting day on the fashion calendar and never fails to have everyone embrace their inner fashion critic.
The theme is different every year, and changes according to the museum’s spring exhibition. The Met Gala red carpet is an opportunity for designers and attendees alike to take real chances with their fashion, crafting true show-stoppers that get everyone talking. When it comes to the Met Gala, bigger is always better.
Ahead, we answer all the questions you might have about this year’s gala, including what this year’s theme is (and what it means for the fashion), as well as where to watch it and who will be attending.
When Is The 2024 Met Gala?
The Met Gala always takes place on the first Monday in May, which is May 6 this year. Red carpet arrivals will probably begin around 6 p.m. ET.
Like previous years, the Met Gala theme will be a celebration of the Costume Institute’s annual spring exhibition, which is “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”
The exhibition, which will be open to the public following the Met Gala, from May 10 to September 2, 2024, will span 400 years of history, drawing from the Costume Institute’s permanent collection and featuring pieces rarely seen by the public. It will include designs from Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, and many more.
Within the exhibition, there are around 15 historically significant and extremely rare pieces that are too delicate to ever be worn again, which Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, explains are the “sleeping beauties” the exhibition is named after.
As for what this means for the “Garden of Time” dress code itself, the most obvious interpretation is to embrace the “garden” aspect, with dark and moody florals (see, the exhibition’s “Tulipes Hollandaises” evening cloak worn by Charles Frederick Worth in the 1800s). Other attendees may lean into the concept of fleeting beauty or time — both key themes in this year’s exhibition.
Who Hosts The Met Gala?
Since 1995, the Met Gala has been hosted by Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue and Global Editorial Director of Condé Nast. This year, she has named Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and Chris Hemsworth as co-chairs for the event. This follows last year’s co-chairs, Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, Roger Federer, and Dua Lipa.
Who Is Attending The 2024 Met Gala?
According to Vogue, the Met Gala usually has roughly 450 attendees, including the biggest celebrities in the world and many influential people, including politicians and the who’s who of the tech and creative industries.
Celebrities like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga, as well as digital creators like Emma Chamberlain, are often in attendance, but the actual guest list is kept under wraps until the day of, when the stars descend on the red carpet.
In 2024, TikTok is the lead sponsor for the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” exhibition, so we can likely expect to see some of the platforms biggest creators in attendance alongside a-listers.
How Can I Watch The Met Gala Red Carpet?
Though the specific details on how to watch the Met Gala red carpet in 2024 are yet to be released, it’s usually easiest to view via Vogue’s digital channels. Last year, the carpet was live-streamed on the Vogue website, and on the brand’s Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter pages.
For a curated view of the red carpet, you can also visit the Refinery29 homepage and Instagram, as we’ll be live posting the best looks from the day.
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