The Waistcoat That Changed My Mind About Waistcoats
Plus, 5 ways to wear the suiting staple.
I’m very late to the waistcoat game. I know. Many a stylish woman has been sporting them with effortless grace for some time now (here’s looking at you,
) while I watched on from the side lines.I liked them. On other people. But whenever I tried to imagine myself in a waistcoat, I became stuck on what to wear them with. So I resisted the urge to buy one, knowing full well it would sit confused and unworn in my wardrobe.
I didn’t want to feel like I was cosplaying Diane Keaton. I knew the tailored waistcoat with matching trousers look didn’t feel like me either. So I left it… until this waistcoat from Aligne happened.
It had a high neck, unlike the traditional V-neck you see so often. It had a fitted waist with a slight flare, so there was more shape than the straight ones that take up a large chunk of the market share. And it had small buttons running all the way from the top of the neckline to around 3/4 of the length down. This felt a lot more like me, and I was quickly envisioning outfit ideas in my head — a good sign that it would be a welcome addition to my wardrobe.
Since it arrived, it’s become my go-to on the days when I want a slightly smarter layer than a jumper or a T-shirt. I’ve worn it for long Sunday lunches at cosy pubs, for dinners out, and on days when I’ve braved a bare arm in an attempt to will warmer weather on.
I’ve officially changed my mind about waistcoats. Here are five ways I’m wearing it.
Look 1
I wrote about light knitwear a few weeks ago and how useful it is for navigating the end of winter/start of spring (and if you live in the UK or a similar climate, well into summer). This ribbed knit top from Fub epitomises everything I love about a lightweight knit. It’s great as a standalone piece but it’s also great as a layer; I’ve been wearing it under thick jumpers and shirts over the last few months and now it’s time to start pairing it with my not-so-heavy pieces, like the waistcoat.
The waistcoat is slim-fitting, so this top is the perfect thickness for slotting underneath, giving me the warmth I need. I also like the addition of another colour to the otherwise all-black outfit, using silver jewellery to add a bit of contrast to the dark colours. I chose the barrel-leg trousers to echo the shape of the waistcoat, creating an almost hourglass shape to the whole look.
Look 2
If you haven’t read
’s piece on making all-black outfits interesting, I highly recommend heading there now. Xue talks about the importance of texture, silhouette and little details to stop it from looking flat, and that’s my approach when it comes to black-on-black too.Take this outfit. Firstly, you have the waistcoat with its button detail and a nipped-in waist that creates shape. Secondly, there’s the wide-leg trousers that contrast with the fitted top. Thirdly, there’s the gold necklace and white and brown patterned resin bangle that give the whole look a little lift. And fourthly, there’s a bit of skin showing thanks to the footwear and bare arms.
Alas, it’s still too cold for me to go bare-armed but I’ll be saving this look for dinners out in a month or two’s time.
Look 3
This is another look I’ll be saving for summer (and spring, with a jacket thrown on top). You can’t beat black and white but when that white is more of an ecru or natural linen shade, like these trousers, I find it makes the two colours easier to wear, as the contrast isn’t quite as stark.
Like in look one above, I love the pairing of this waistcoat with a wide barrel-leg. It creates even more shape in the outfit and adds contrast in a way that is slightly unexpected (vs. traditional suit trousers that are often worn with a waistcoat). A touch of gold jewellery and the chocolate brown bag bring more contrast again, without it feeling like it’s too much — for this minimalist, anyway.