The Highsnobiety Winter Wardrobe Manual is a guide to dressing well when temperatures plummet. Expect big coats, padded pants, snug accessories, and hibernation-ready homeware.
You'll probably know that the sweater vest is having a moment this year. Paraded on the runway by the likes of Prada and Gucci and shown love by affordable names including COS and Uniqlo, it seems everyone is on a knitted tip. But, as good as the knitted variety looks, colder weather calls for something a little bit bulkier. Enter — the sweater vest's tough, winter-ready cousin.
It might seem counterintuitive to lop the arms off any winter garment, but with sufficient insulation in the right places, a winter vest will keep your torso warm, and that's where it counts. The thicker build of a winter vest also means that they look good layered with jumpers, a pairing that tends to leave your sweater vest a little stretched — literally.
This selection celebrates the true versatility of winter vests which is, in large part, down to the fact they come in all shapes and sizes. From luxury pieces by Burberry all the way to lightweight layering tools from Snow Peak, scroll on for our sleeveless selection.
Shop our top winter vests below.
2 MONCLER 1952 & AWAKE NY Parker Puffer Vest
Parker Puffer Vest
2 MONCLER 1952 & AWAKE NY
Wet-look down insulation in mint green forms the bright backdrop to a slightly altered Moncler logo patch. Featuring the AWAKE NY text logo in place of Moncler text, this label denotes a capsule collection between the two labels as part of the Moncler Genius project.
11 by Boris Bidjan Saberi Panelled Vest
Panelled Vest
11 by Boris Bidjan Saberi
Boris Bidjan Saberi's signature corrosion effect graces this futuristic paneled vest. While the rest of the roundup's selections feature a zip closure to the front, this number features elasticated sides for a pullover entry.
Canada Goose Garson Vest
Garson Vest
Canada Goose
Canada Goose is about as reliable as labels come in the outerwear sphere. While this vest probably isn't the right choice for an arctic expedition, the expertise that made it is shaped by those conditions so you know you're getting the best.
Burberry Monogram Print Puffer Gilet
Monogram Print Puffer Gilet
Burberry
Burberry's Saville-designed monogram is sized up and printed all over this puffer gilet to ensure there's no mistaking where it's from. The British house's signature brown color palette makes for an easily styled top layer.
UNIQLO Ultra Light Down Vest
Ultra Light Down Vest
UNIQLO
UNIQLO's Ultra Light Down is one of the biggest pulls of the retailer. This understated navy blue iteration is the perfect introductory item for the brand's proprietary technology.
Snow Peak Wool-Fleece Half-Zip Gilet
Wool-Fleece Half-Zip Gilet
Snow Peak
Down insulation is one side of winter vestism, but wool fleece is the textural counterpart to try, too. Snow Peak looks to a half-zip fastening to position this number as the perfect middle layer.
Stüssy Insulated Work Vest
Insulated Work Vest
Stüssy
Stüssy looks to a deep v-neck, zipped build for this insulated winter vest. This piece, resplendent in striking turquoise, presents a welcome splash of color to the winter wardrobe, too.
Brain Dead Tier One Novelty Dyed Fur Sunflower Tactical Vest
Tier One Novelty Dyed Fur Sunflower Tactical Vest
Brain Dead
While it’s easy to categorize many labels nowadays, Brain Dead is completely undefinable. From prep to streetwear and full-blown technical expertise as shown by this vest, Brain Dead represents the new era of all-encompassing modern style.
Oakley Definition Insulated Vest
Definition Insulated Vest
Oakley
You’re probably better acquainted with Oakley’s wildly technical sunglasses, but this vest carries much of the same appeal. Lightweight down padding locks in heat while the sleek, all-black palette offers itself up for easy layering.
Prada Gilet
Logo-Patch Padded-Shell Gilet
Prada
If you're smart with your layering, you can sport a vest in any season. As such, it's a worthy category for serious investment. Enter — the Prada gilet.
Rick Owens + Moncler Down Moapa Vest
Down Moapa Vest
Rick Owens x Moncler
Rick Owens teams up with down specialists Moncler for this eye-catching Moapa Vest. Although it's murdered out, the rays of insulation padding lend the piece texture and flair.
The North Face Denali Fleece Vest
Denali Fleece Vest
The North Face
The North Face’s winter vests are a long-serving staple from the outdoor giant. The Denali iteration combines technical panels with insulating green fleece for a no-frills look at winter style.
TAION V-Neck Down Vest
V-Neck Down Vest
TAION
An easy sign as to whether a vest has been made for layering or top-of-the-pile wear is whether it has a V-neck or not. This V-neck vest from TAION is made for layering as the cutoff neck won't impinge on any collars underneath or on top.
Nike Sportswear Heritage Insulated Vest
Sportswear Heritage Insulated Vest
Nike
Water-repellant insulation combines with sherpa fleece to ensure that this Nike Heritage vest is one of the warmest about without being too bulky. While the muted palette has the legs to carry an outfit, it is also subtle enough to settle into the background when layering.
Needles Plaid Fleece Vest
Plaid Fleece Vest
Needles
Japanese streetwear masters Needles opt for a wool blend to keep you warm this season. A traditional plaid motif runs throughout but, thanks to a muted palette, doesn't steal the focus from any other layers you're wearing.
Arc'teryx Cerium LT Vest
Cerium LT Vest
Arc'teryx
Goose down combines with synthetic Coreloft for optimum insulation in Arc'teryx's Cerium LT Vest. If you're looking for something that's versatile enough to go from home wear to mountain then this is the one.
Beams Plus Quilted Stitch 2 Layer Vest
Quilted Stitch 2 Layer Vest
Beams Plus
Beams Plus looks back to the quilted vest's hunting history with an eye-catching orange body. The nylon shell is insulated by a synthetic fill which, although not duck or goose-down, definitely does the job for urban settings.
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