Fashion Rules for Sweater Vests

Sweater vests can be an excellent addition to any wardrobe. Warm and easy to wear, they can be dressed up for a fancy occasion or dressed down for a more casual look. Following a few simple fashion rules will ensure that you always look polished in your sweater vest and help you avoid any fashion faux pas

Pants and Skirts

·         When pairing sweater vests with bottoms such as pants or a skirt, consider the pattern, color, style and material of both. Because sweater vests tend to be more dressy, never pair one with sweatpants or old jeans. A classic look for a sweater vest is to pair it with khakis, although dress pants, pencil skirts or dark-wash jeans also work. Never pair a wool sweater with light summer pants or skirts. Avoid wearing sweater vests with shorts unless you are putting together a golfing outfit.

Shirts

·         Never wear a sweater vest on its own. For a classic look, wear your vest with collared shirts, such as dress shirts or polos. Generally, the collared shirt should not be longer than your vest and should be tucked in. For a more casual outfit, pair with a solid-colored T-shirt. Be sure that any logos or pictures on the front are covered by the sweater vest.

Fit

·         Sweater vests should be fitted to the body without being too tight. Allow enough room to fit a dress shirt or T-shirt underneath, while still maintaining a tailored silhouette.

Colors and Prints

Choose sweater vests with solid colors and muted prints. A more subtly colored sweater vest will leave you with more pairing options and give you a more polished, classic look. Generally, sweater vests with patterns, such as argyle or stripes, should not contain more than three colors.