Not long ago, you might have thought of the waistcoat as merely part of a three piece suit, worn for formal occasions or by those with a particular taste for the art of tailoring. Or perhaps it reminds you of the emos of the '00s. Personally, it reminds me of a high school music teacher who had a penchant for purple waistcoats.
But in recent years, waistcoats have become a staple for it girls. No longer just a part of a suit, the garment has become a star in its own right. It's become more and more common to ditch the shirt underneath and wear the waistcoat like you might a corset or vest. It's a look which is exemplified by the queen of online indie sleaze nostalgia, Kate Moss – particularly when she was dating Libertines frontman Pete Doherty from 2005 to 2007.
Depending on the garment's fit, it can cinch you in with the buttoned up silhouette and provide a look which is at once sensual and powerful. If you prefer a baggier waistcoat, no worries – it can give your outfit some edge.
Low rise jeans
To channel the grungy, late ‘00s-inspired look, your best option would be low rise jeans. Skinny or straight leg will give you the desired effect. Throw on some bangles or statement bracelets to balance out the silhouette.
While it’s an undeniably cool look, we at Glamour UK believe that you can take inspiration from previous eras and their style without espousing problematic ideals: in this case, the diet culture of the 00s. So, we encourage you to try this look no matter your size and adapt the waist to whatever you're comfortable with.
Shirt
If you're not necessarily comfortable wearing nothing but a teeny vest, fear not: a shirt underneath won't spoil the look. In fact, if you opt for fun colour and pattern combinations, it can even add to the outfit. Like model Paloma Elsesser above, a baggier shirt can be cinched in by a waistcoat, with rolled up sleeves adding a relaxed air. Or, you can opt for an embroidered piece like the one above, adding texture to your look. You can even play around with the length of the shirt by going for a crop.
Wide trousers
The outfit formula of small top/big pants is one that has proved successful time and time again, and it's no different with the waistcoat. It's all about balancing out the proportions, so if you're going for a smaller or tighter top half, wide trousers are the perfect complement. On top, a long, sweeping coat will bring it all together.
Suit
This one's an obvious one, but if you're opting for a waistcoat, why not go the full mile and make it a full suit? You can buy a complete set to take the styling guesswork out of it, but as you can see above, it also works to match different textures together. The leather waistcoat adds the perfect pop of intrigue among all the black fabric. Plus, a full suit is an undeniably powerful look, for any gender.
Matching set
If you don't want to do the full suit but you're into a matching moment, look no further. A matching set – whether trousers, shorts or skirt – is a chic little uniform. This will be perfect for the warmer months when your look can truly shine without all the excess layers. Since the clothes are relatively simple, your accessories will do all the talking. So don't be afraid to pile on the rings, bracelets and necklaces (depending on the neckline!) Statement shoes like pointy pumps or chunky mary janes will bring it together.
Skirt
Pairing a miniskirt with your waistcoat can give two different effects, depending on the fit of the top. A tight waistcoat with a miniskirt will put you more into indie sleaze territory – pair with combat boots and head out for the night. But if you're looking for something a bit more preppy chic, like the look above, an oversized vest will do the trick. Paired with a mini skirt, long socks and nerdy shoes, it makes for a stylishly proportioned look. The beret on top balances the whole thing out phenomenally.
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