Paraded on the runway by the likes of Prada and Gucci and shown love by affordable names including COS and Uniqlo, the sweater vest has hit the big time. 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 Rick Owens and Mastermind all the way to lightweight layering tools from Dickies, scroll on for our sleeveless selection.
Shop our top winter vests below.
Mastermind Japan Rocky Mountain Crazy Vest
Rocky Mountain Crazy Vest
Mastermind Japan
If you're going to do something, do it properly. This Mastermind vest is fully out-there and is a fashion-forward take on classic mountain gear.
Stone Island Quilted Shell Gilet
Quilted Shell Gilet
Stone Island
If the garment is meant for the outdoors, the chances are that Stone Island has made the perfect version of it. This lightweight iteration boasts a down lining to keep you super-insulated without bulking out layered fits.
Rick Owens Quilted Shell Gilet
Quilted Shell Gilet
Rick Owens
Rick can do it all. Whether it's avant-garde high fashion or utilitarian pieces like this insulated vest, the Dark Lord has got you covered.
Polo Ralph Lauren Quilted Shell Gilet
Quilted Shell Gilet
Polo Ralph Lauren
Ralph is the king of prep and the down vest is a central part of modern prep. This classic piece comes in a versatile grey with a contrasting green pony to round it out.
Stüssy Filmore Sherpa Vest
Filmore Sherpa Vest
Stüssy
Stüssy's Fall/Winter 2021 collection is defined by a range of highlight outerwear pieces. This sherpa vest is one of them, complete with an eye-catching patterned fleece.
and Wander Down Vest
Down Vest
and Wander
and Wander is a big part of the contemporary techwear world. Its ability to combine style and technical prowess to perfect effect is abundantly obvious here.
Patagonia Retro-X Fleece Vest
Retro-X Fleece Vest
Patagonia
Patagonia has been making its Retro-X Fleece for many years now and it's become a central part of the iconic imprint's offering.
Dickies Sherpa Lined Duck Vest
Sherpa Lined Duck Vest
Dickies
Workwear should be the bread and butter of your seasonal wardrobe. Hard-wearing shells make the ideal outer layers and with a sherpa lining to help with warmth, this Dickies vest is a big yes.
Barbour x Engineered Garments Gilet
Engineered Garments Gilet
Barbour
Heritage British label Barbour does a good job of keeping its classic designs up to date in the form of collaborations. In tandem with Engineered Garments, this popover vest is a nice departure from the classic zip-through structures around.
Universal Works Checked Gilet
Checked Gilet
Universal Works
While most of today's selections fit into a more technical category, this Universal Works vest looks to classic tartan wool for its traditional finish. Lacking the down insulation, it becomes a star in terms of layering.
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