If you have scrolled through festival fashion photos, street style snaps, your Instagram feed or simply walked down the street recently, you’ll have noticed a recurring garment when it comes to women’s clothing – and it may have caught you by surprise.
Waistcoats are the unexpected fashion hero of the moment - they’re everywhere. While the style has been around since King Charles II in the 17th century and found itself front and centre in the 90s, it is having a major resurgence in 2022 - and that is no doubt inspired by the popularity of the latter decade’s fashion comeback. John Lewis reports on an increase of 53 per cent in searches for the item versus this time last year.
While one reserved for men’s formal three-piece suits, these fitted top halves have been given new life in the casual clothing space, signalling the rejection of the cosy comfort dressing that we’ve known - and loved - for the last couple of years in favour of more sophisticated ensembles. Push your loungewear to once side (temporarily) and take this tailored trend for a spin.
Before you exit this page and hunker down in your trackies, these are not the stuffy waistcoats of time gone by. Bringing Sunday best to the realms of the everyday, the silhouette has been given the dopamine dressing treatment and now comes in every rainbow variety including our favourite orange and apple green hues as well as your muted, neutral numbers.
These button-ups have the unique ability to make almost any look appear put together, sophisticated and chic – a feat only comparable to a blazer. No matter what you mix and match with the livery, it will appear elegant and decidedly modern, whether you use as a layering item over a white shirt or long-sleeve when the weather is playing up, or worn loud and proud with smart trousers or a mini skirt as the statement item in your look. This is power dressing made easy.
Think Kate Moss at Glastonbury back in 2005, this sharp style is anything but reserved and can work for almost all occasions, be it as a wedding guest paired with the matching suit trousers, the pub with denim shorts or nonchalant jeans to add a casual twist, or inspired by the iconic British supermodel, the festival fields – just don’t forget your wellies.
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Yolke Corduroy Waistcoat | Apple Green
In one of the stand-out shades of the season, Yolke has harked back to the 70s with this apple green waistcoat. The suiting essential can be paried with the matching skinny flated trousers for an eye-popping and effortlessly stylish look whether you’re heading to work, the weekend or the festival field. The piece has been crafted in Italian fine stretch corduroy to offer a slimming effect.
Buy now £140.00, Yolke
Bershka Petite tailored boxy waistcoat in ecru
This waistcoat comes from the underestimated high street hero that is Bershka and has a boxy fit that is bang on trend. From the timeless ecru colourway, to the shoulder pads to enhance the silhouette, it makes for a sophisticated piece that can be set alongside tailored trousers - whether in the same shade or black - or denim.
Buy now £25.99, ASOS
Levi’s Dani Corset Top
While the product name categorises this piece under ‘corset tops’, it follow the same silhoutte and button-up nature as a waistcoat so we hope you’ll forgive our inclusion. We couldn’t resist.
The legendary denim label has worked its magic, offering this soon-to-be viral design in a light stonewash hue with a flattering square neckline and very subtle branding. Take inspiration from Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake and go double denim with this one.
Buy now £60.00, Levi’s
Reclaimed Vintage inspired limited edition suede waistcoat
Take your fashion cues from the Wild West with this fringe-adorned waistcoat. The style comes complete with embroidery and a tan colourway. It is part of a three-piece set with a mini skirt and jacket in the same suede construction but makes a statement all its own just accessorised with gold jewellery.
Buy now £67.99, ASOS
Claudie Pierlot Tily check-print woven waistcoat
With a classic silhouette and a traditional Prince of Wales check, you’d be mistaken to believe that this is just another formalwear item. The waistcoat can easily be incorporated into your everyday wear with its timeless and surprisingly netural design. The pattern is set across both the front and back with welt pockets and button-fastening embellishments.
Buy now £159.00, Selfridges
Cos Cropped Wool Waistcoat
Don’t let the short sleeves fool you, your perchant for waistcoat wearing can extend well into the winter by layering over shirts or long-sleeves to add a dimension to your look.
Cos should always be a go-to for minimalistic but sharp tailoring and this design does not disappoint with a boxy, cropped fit and wool blend fabric.
Buy now £69.00, Cos
Cross Back Waistcoat
The humble waistcoat is rooted in formalwear history and this take on the original harks back to its former purpose, but there’s a twist with an after dark feel. First and foremost, you can’t miss the eye-popping orange colourway. But, taking it to the next level is the cross-back detail and the ability to pair with the coordinating skirt and blazer for an evening look that turns the style ultra-feminine. It also comes in fuschia.
Buy now £39.20, Nasty Gal
Reiss Luna Premium Suit Waistcoat
Whether you are looking for an ensemble for a modern bride, a summer-ready look to take to garden parties or lean towards white colourways for their versatility, Reiss has you covered with this piece. As part of a full suit or as a standalone style, the Luna silhouette brings a freshness to the stuffy world of tailoring. It is crafted in a wool blend and lined with satin for a lovely skin-feel.
Buy now £125.00, Reiss
Zara Linen Blend Cropped Waistcoat
Inject colour into your wardrobe with the subtle pastel hue of Zara’s apple green waistcoat. Destinated to form a staple part in your holiday look, it is crafted in a lightweight linen and feels classic and elegant with the matching shorts.
Buy now £22.99, Zara
Nasty Gal Cropped Tailored Button Down Vest
The power of clothing to elevate your mood should not be understated, which has given rise to the hugely popular dopamine dressing trend. For feel-good fashion, look to lavender and in particular this waistcoat that will put a smile on your face everytime it comes out of your washing rotation. Don’t be scared of the colour, which is surpringly versatile - but if you’re not sure what to match it with, you can’t go wrong with the coordinating tennis skirt - complete with Wimbeldon-worthy pleats.
Buy now £31.20, Nasty Gal
Urban Outfitters Archive Black Pinstripe Halterneck Waistcoat
There are a few elements with this waistcoat that will immediately make you think of formalwear. You have the waistcoat itself and the traditional connotation of this piece as well as a the pinstripe print - and yet, this is not made for the workplace. Far from. It has a halterneck silhouette and open back to give a sexier feel.
Buy now £38.00, Urban Outfitters
