Mock It All You Want, But There’s a Reason Techies and Bankers Love Vests

(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- The fleece vest has become such a standard accessory for office-bound tech and finance workers that it verges on parody. Since 2017 the savagely hilarious Instagram account Midtown Uniform has been vest-shaming its Patagonian ubiquity as well as the choice of colors that range from navy blue to, well, royal blue..But guys still love them, says Patrick Kenger, whose Pivot Image Consulting styles male clients who are often in tech and entrepreneurial fields. “It’s the perfect middle-ground piece,” he says. “You could have a button-up shirt and some dress trousers and throw that on, and it would look appropriate. They absolutely have a place in 2022 menswear.”.Even puffer vests, such as the faded orange Pinewood version worn by billionaire investor Josh Aaronson on Succession, are still in style. “Those never really went anywhere,” Kenger says. Quilted gilet-style versions from preppy brands Barbour and Todd Snyder, he says, remain popular as well..In an office context, vests can function as more than just an accent piece, according to Joseph Rosenfeld, the bicoastal “chief style geek” who counts finance and tech executives among his clientele. “What’s important from a personal-style perspective—especially for people who are on the make, looking to raise their profile—is that the vest helps to bring attention back to the wearer’s face” as opposed to, say, a tie, he notes, which draws the eyes downward. “There aren’t a whole lot of choices that guys can make,” he continues, other than to decide whether to wear a blazer..The styling and fabric of a vest can project power in different ways, however: Lapels, like the ones on the Tom Beckbe version below, “project authority, full stop,” Rosenfeld says. Smoother garments—think suiting material—exude formality. Softer materials such as merino wool, mohair, and cashmere have what he calls “receding” authority. “It’s about being more ooshy gooshy.”.And let’s not overlook vests’ purely practical value: They’re warm, especially in chilly workplaces, and serve as ideal transitional pieces from winter to spring, and from remote-work to in-person meetings. Here are six styles to consider..BARBOUR“A lot of guys use color as a crutch,” Kenger says, but you can still make a statement in navy. Look to subtle patterns, like the diamond one on this Winterdale gilet, to add a bit of pop. A corduroy-lined collar that buttons all the way up and front pockets that open on the top and side provide multiple options for warming up. $230.ETONLuxurious technical fabric defines Eton’s wind vest. The cotton-nylon blend, available in seven colors (brown, here), is water-repellent and offers the silky feel of a Members Only windbreaker. The band collar has a retro style, too, offset by a two-way zipper design that provides more room at the hem for long days behind the desk. $255.TOM BECKBEA classic quilted design can appeal to someone younger, Rosenfeld says, “as a way of being able to make themselves appear more mature.” This option is windproof and water-resistant, and the 2½-inch stand-up collar is lined with soft corduroy. The almost invisible side pockets have a subtle elegance as well. $180.TODD SNYDERThis vest in camouflage isn’t so much designed for huddling in a duck blind as for hunting new revenue streams. “A little bit of a pattern is always a nice idea,” Kenger says. And it will keep you comfortable: The diamond-quilted nylon is down-filled, and the hand pockets are lined in flannel. The chest pocket is also a cool touch. $298.MONCLERThe French brand has formed a partnership once again with London designer Craig Green for its new collection, available in stores beginning in March. The designer has said the clothes are made for being in nature, encouraging wearers to be outdoors. The light down-filled vest has vertical quilting in recycled nylon. $1,250.SPIER & MACKAYMade of water-resistant flannel, this check-print vest is elevated with style details including faux horn buttons and a curved breast pocket. “It doesn’t feel like you’re going hiking with this,” Kenger says. “You’re not going to do something incredibly outdoorsy. It looks like it belongs with a collared shirt.” $248.©2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Mock It All You Want, But There’s a Reason Techies and Bankers Love Vests

Six non-fleece vest options that are actually stylish—and only one of them is navy blue.

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