THE JOURNAL
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Five Of This Season’s Best Sweater Vests
Words by Shane C Kurup
5 October 2021
The sweater vest has its origins in athletic pursuits, when late 19th-century college oarsmen decided lopping off their sleeves would be more conducive to an efficient stroke. In the 1920s, everyone from the dapper Duke of Windsor to Mr René Lacoste donned one for outdoorsy activities. The cult of the vest reached its zenith in the 1970s, with all manner of psychedelic iterations. In the following decades, it became synonymous with middle-aged golfers, grandads and geeks. But now, thanks to throngs of Gen-Z street-style mavens, the sweater vest has come full circle and is firmly back on the style schema. And here are five knitted vests worth investing in.
01.
The classic vest
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is a mantra that always feels fitting in terms of menswear and in the case of this William Lockie number, it couldn’t be more apt. With its pair-with-anything hue and classic button-fastening front, it will withstand seasonal shifts in taste. And, as you’d expect from one of Scotland’s leading purveyors of cashmere, it’s knitted from the plushest, cloud-soft yarn.
02.
The all-action gilet
Staying true to the sweater vest’s original sporting pedigree, Patagonia’s take has a practical, athletic appeal that will suit the active man down to a tee. As an added bonus, it’s made from recycled fibres, so with this on your back, you’ll not only look good, you’ll be helping to preserve the beautiful landscape you’re rambling through, too.
03.
The clean-cut vest
Maison Margiela has a reputation as one of the most enigmatic and subversive fashion houses around and it excels at what is probably best described as alternative minimalism. In a winter-blues-beating burgundy and red, with a slouchy oversized fit and finished with raw-edged detailing, this subtly dissident number gives the sweater vest a refreshingly modern flavour.
04.
The retrospective vest
Milanese house Etro is renowned for putting a bold, eclectic spin on what would otherwise be pretty run-of-the-mill staples. Knitted in a traditional cable pattern, this textural, mohair-rich design has just enough retro-revival charm without feeling old hat, thanks to its bold colour. Layer it over one of the brand’s signature paisley shirts and you definitely won’t look as though you’ve just stumbled off the golfing green.
05.
The contemporary vest
Mr Yohji Yamamoto of Y-3 has garnered a cult following for his knack of seamlessly melding high-end, avant-garde elements with a sense of modern athleticism. Combining an abstract intarsia-knit camouflage pattern with the ease and function of a zip fastening, this off-kilter take on the sweater vest will add a hint of armed forces flair to your civvies. Wear it with a sporty sweatshirt and cargo trousers and you’re sure to pass muster.
