My love for suiting began while playing basketball in Germany for TG Neuss. Occasionally, on days off, I would take the train to Dusseldorf to explore the city, often stopping for pommes frites before finding a bench to chill on and people watch. I vividly remember this one day in Spring while relaxing in a courtyard. The most impeccably dressed modern gentleman strolled by wearing a well-tailored three-piece suit with a contrasting waistcoat and loafers. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. His style was like nothing I had ever seen before yet it resonated with me deeply. This was the experience that paved the way for my style transformation from urban streetwear to smart attire.
Earlier this year, while visiting The Netherlands for the first time, my brother-in-law took me and my wife vintage shopping. I’ve attempted vintage shopping a few times with no luck. This day, the fashion Gods must’ve been on my side because I walked away with three distinct garments that each reflected my personality and style. One of them being this waistcoat.
There were only a few waistcoats in the shop. My face lit up instantly when I laid eyes on this. The tribal and geometric shapes, rich colors, and bold yellow satin back were mesmerizing. I slipped it on…and to my surprise, it fit perfectly!
For my first go at styling the vibrant waistcoat, I went with smart casual attire. Since fall weather can be so unpredictable, I layered a lightweight Mac jacket over it. The raincoat was a perfect match! It elevated the ensemble without overshadowing the waistcoat, bringing balance to a casual cool outfit for an overall sophisticated and refined look.
Mac jacket (ASOS), Vest (Vintage), Collarless shirt (Uniqlo), Raw Denim Jeans (Uniqlo), Socks (Uniqlo), Sneakers (Thursday Boots)
Photos by Brandon Rhone
How to Style Waistcoats
Before this outfit, it had been a while since I’d styled a vest. After almost two years in lockdown and loungewear, it took a minute to find my creativity and style again.
I have been a fan of waistcoats since I was a kid. I think I owe a lot of that to the TV series that inspired me – A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Martin. Those series’ Costume and Wardrobe Departments killed it!!! Characters like A Different World’s Freddie Brooks and Ron Johnson, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Will Smith, and Martin’s Martin Payne wore some of the dopest vest outfits.
Waistcoats are so dynamic! The garment is typically worn over a dress shirt and necktie and layered over a coat or blazer. While I love formal wear, I encourage you to explore the range of styles a waistcoat can enhance from casual to suit attire.
Casual Chic
Waistcoats can be an intimidating garment. Don’t feel like you have to dive into dapper attire right away. Start by pairing a waistcoat casually with a pair of well-fitted jeans and a t-shirt, henley, or button-up shirt. First, get comfortable and familiar with wearing vests. Then, work your way up to smarter attire.
Smart Casual Attire
If you want to add a touch of professionalism to your waistcoat style but are not quite ready for a full suit, lean into your smart casual style. Combine your vest with a tailored pair of trousers and a dress shirt. One of my favorite ways to style waistcoats is over an oversized dress shirt. (A necktie is an option, but not necessary.) With that said, if you’re a tie person, get creative and have fun experimenting with vest and tie options.
Suit Style
A classic suit – a blazer and trousers – is timeless, but occasionally, I like to add a little extra oomph to my suit style. Waistcoats help me achieve that bold and powerful look. Plus, who doesn’t love a three-piece suit?
One of the things I love most about three-piece suits is that this layered style option allows me to tap into a deeper level of creativity.
Experiment with contrasting colors and prints as well as color blocking. The key is to choose a style that reflects your taste and the occasion for which you are wearing the suit.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to waistcoat style. Continue to explore more waistcoat outfits to help inspire your own aesthetic.
What do you think?