Fashion has slowly been working its way through all the 90s trends – from bucket hats and hair clips to slip dresses and scrunchies – and now it’s time for knitted vest tops, or sweater vests, to have their time in the limelight once more. Granted, a trend we thought we’d never see on anyone other than Chandler Bing via re-runs of Friends or men over the age of 80, however the knitted vest has fast become a chicest knitwear alternative.
In October, consumer shopping app LIKEtoKNOW.it reported a huge increase of 3,000 per cent month on month in searches for ‘Knitted Vest Tops’, solidifying the fact that the knitted vest top is officially ‘A Thing’ for autumn/winter 2020, and the trend has only swelled in popularity since then.
There are plenty out there on the high street right now to choose from: Zara has plenty of styles in a rainbow of sugary pastels, with and without added details such as glitzy buttons and frilly hems. Meanwhile, ASOS has lots of styles in neutral beiges and greys, plus a few good maternity options, too. Mango, Monki, Urban Outfitters, Arket and Weekday all also have a wide range of styles that run the gamut, and all at affordable prices, too.
As always, it’s all in the styling – pair yours with a crisp white shirt underneath, a plain white tee or go bare-armed, weather permitting. For your bottom half, style mavens might wish to opt for a dark wash wide leg jean for a 70s vibe, otherwise straight leg jeans, culottes and sharp tailored trousers all work a treat. You could also pair with a skirt, but be wary of stepping too far into Clueless territory.
Here are 11 styles of knitted vest tops and sweater vests we’ve spotted on the high street to buy right now – and they’re all under £60.
11 sweater vests to buy and wear now
Fuzzy Scallop Knit Vest, £55, & Other Stories
Knit waistcoat with bejewelled buttons, £14.99 (was £27.99), Zara
Rokoko oversized knitted vest jumper, £20, ASOS
Black Dogtooth Sleeveless Vest Jumper, £14.99 (was £19.99), New Look
Knitted waistcoat, £19.99, Zara
Knitted Alpaca Vest, £59, Arket
Knitted gilet with buttons, £19.99, Mango
Pointelle-knit sweater vest, £19.99, H&M
