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December 13, 2024

How To Wear a Sweater Vest: 9 Ways to Style a Classic

Source: iStock.com/SeventyFour

While sweater vests are still a cornerstone of preppy fashion, they’ve made their way into every aesthetic. And it’s easy to see why—they’re versatile, comfortable, and fit any body type.

If you’ve been struggling with how to add this staple to your wardrobe, put your outfit dilemma to rest. Whether business casual or bold and edgy, there’s a sweater vest outfit for every occasion and personal aesthetic.

Read on to learn how to wear a sweater vest and create a lineup of effortless, foolproof looks.

How to style sweater vests: 9 outfit ideas

Knowing how to style a sweater vest gives you endless ideas for the office, relaxed weekends, or stylish dinner dates. Check out these nine sweater vest outfits to find something for your unique wardrobe.

1. Classic preppy

An image of a woman standing against a white backdrop. She’s wearing a sweater vest, pink polo shirt, white tennis skirt, and sneakers. She’s holding a navy blue backpack
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Preppy fashion is the bread and butter of styling sweater vests, and if you master it, you have a solid foundation for hundreds of looks.

Layer a plaid sweater vest over a polo shirt, and add a white tennis skirt for academic vibes. Wear this with a pair of neutral shoes that go with everything, like loafers, ballet flats, or understated sneakers. And for an elegant touch, add subtle accessories like classic pearl earrings or a scarf.

2. Office ready

An image of a woman wearing black slacks, a blue button-down shirt, and a dark-gray sweater vest. She’s holding a maroon handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp's AI-powered Style Chat

Sweater vests are often professional and sophisticated, ideal for nearly any work environment. Pair a dark wool sweater vest with slacks and a tailored button-down for a sleek business casual style. We’re torn on the perfect footwear, since both heels and loafers look polished.

For more formal events (like boardroom meetings), wear a more fitted sweater vest and layer a classy blazer over the top.

Don’t overaccessorize with this one—just grab your work bag, and you’re ready to go.

3. Laid-back and relaxed

An image of a woman against a white backdrop wearing a knit cap, oversized sweater vest, sweatshirt, and black joggers.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Weekend vibes and sweater vests are the ideal combo. We love layering an oversized cable-knit sweater vest over a sweatshirt, but a plain white tee works just as well. Wear it with a pair of loose joggers and a knit cap—this comfy fit is perfect for a walk around the neighborhood or a movie night at home.

Going out with friends? Try this idea with a chic scarf and leggings for a slightly less relaxed but totally cozy feeling.

4. Chic and casual

An image of a woman against a white backdrop. She’s wearing a white button-down shirt, black sweater vest, straight-leg jeans, and tan ankle boots. She’s holding a brown handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

This is our favorite everyday sweater vest outfit. It’s easygoing enough for shopping and errands but dressy enough for casual get-togethers—we’d wear it pretty much anywhere. 

Put on a cropped sweater vest over a white button-down shirt to define your waist alongside a pair of high-rise jeans. Grab a neutral designer bag and a pair of nude ankle boots to complete this neat and natural ensemble.

If you need to dress it up a touch, wear black jeans instead of medium wash, as darker denim is often more formal.

5. Edgy fashionista

An image of a woman against a white backdrop. She’s wearing an oversized black sweater vest, leather skirt, and black boots. She’s holding a black handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

With the right accessories, transforming this preppy essential into a striking fashion statement is simple. An oversized black turtleneck vest half-tucked into a leather mini-skirt is an attention-grabbing idea for parties and girls’ nights.

This look works well with multiple boot styles, but our favorite is a pair of slouchy knee-highs. The finishing touch is a black Chanel bag.

An effortless variation of this eye-catching outfit is an oversized sweater vest over a black midi dress. Simple, draped silhouettes will capture that Paris-chic feeling.

6. Bold color

An image of a woman standing against a white backdrop. She’s wearing a colorful sweater vest, denim jacket, colorful skirt, and retro sneakers.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

Sweater vests are popular for anyone who adores a vibrant kidcore aesthetic. A colorful, patterned sweater vest radiates a bright, fun-loving feeling that’s perfect for the farmer’s market or lunch with friends.

Wear this cheerful combo with a patched jean jacket, patterned skirt, and retro sneakers. The idea is “the bolder, the better,” so don’t shy away from contrasting colors and quirky bucket hats.

7. ’90s inspired

An image of a woman against a white backdrop. She’s wearing a black puff-sleeve blouse, colorful sweater vest, straight-leg jeans, and black boots. She’s holding an ornate, embellished handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

The ’90s combined preppy clothing with daring styles, so to capture that feeling, try pairing classics with bold pieces. A black puff-sleeve blouse underneath a vibrant sweater vest is an academic yet playful take on the decade. 

For even more ’90s flair, wear this with straight-leg jeans and ankle boots. To amp up the school vibes, put on a simple necktie under the vest.

8. Straightforward minimalism

An image of a woman against a white backdrop. She’s wearing a sweater vest, cropped jeans, and open-toe heels. She’s holding a brown handbag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

This outfit couldn’t be easier: wear a neutral cropped sweater vest as a top with high-waisted jeans and open-toe heels. This casual yet stylish outfit is one of the best ways to wear a sweater vest in warm weather without getting too hot.

Headed to a dinner party or date? Dress up this look in seconds by swapping the jeans for sleek black pants or wide-leg trousers.

9. Urban streetwear

A woman standing on the pavement in front of a gray wall. She’s wearing an oversized graphic sweater vest, long-sleeved tee, cargo pants, and retro sneakers. She’s holding a black leather bucket bag.
Source: Image generated by ThredUp’s AI-powered Style Chat

This idea takes sweater vests far from prim and preppy. Start by grabbing an oversized sweater vest with a vibrant print (think graffiti designs or animal patterns). Pair this with a fitted tee and loose cargo pants. And finish this street-chic fit with hoop earrings and retro sneakers.

Add a little extra glam with a leather bucket bag and oversized sunglasses. This idea is flexible, so experiment and make it your own—add a knit cap or beret, or swap the sneakers for black combat boots.

Find the best sweater vest for your closet on ThredUp

ThredUp is the perfect place to thrift a wide variety of stunning sweater vests, whether you’re attending a holiday party or strolling a summer boardwalk. Our vast collection has endless styles, sizes, and brands, so you can grab the perfect sweater vest and any extra items you need, like button-downs and jeans.

If you need help narrowing down your choices, use our Style Chat. Describe your perfect sweater vest outfit and see it on an AI-generated person. Refine it until it’s perfect, then browse relevant suggestions from our inventory to make your idea a reality.

FAQs

Can I wear a sweater vest in the summer?

Of course! To beat the heat, pair sweater vests with short-sleeved shirts, like tees and polos. Wear this with a breezy tennis skirt and white loafers for a preppy summer style.

Can you wear a vest over a dress?

Yes, we adore sweater vests over dresses—they add a sophisticated layer while maintaining feminine charm. Our top recommendations are an oversized vest on a loose midi dress and a snug, cropped vest over a mini dress.

Should I tuck in my sweater vest?

You can wear sweater vests tucked or untucked, depending on the type of vest and your personal preferences. It’s best to tuck your vest if it’s made of a thinner material and you want a cleaner appearance. Leave it untucked when sporting a chunky sweater vest or any time you want baggy, relaxed vibes.

Can you wear a sweater vest by itself?

Yes, a sweater vest makes an excellent shirt on its own. This dressed-down yet fashionable outfit helps you stay cool in warm weather.