Puffer vests are one of those wardrobe staples I reach for again and again during the cooler months. They add a layer of warmth without the bulk of a coat, and I love how they bring a little extra interest to even the simplest outfit. They’re also an easy way to change things up without overthinking it.
That said, like most classics, the way we wear puffer vests does evolve over time. Even though I updated my 5 Ways to Wear a Puffer Vest just last year, I recently had a request for some fresh styling ideas, and I realized I already had the perfect example sitting in my queue!
EVEREVE Ollie Varsity Vest (S) // Treasure & Bond tee (M) // MOTHER Lil Kick It (30) // La Canadienne Kiki Boots (8.5) // Madewell belt (M) // similar earrings // Tom Ford Wallace sunnies // similar crossbody bag
Puffer Vest Update: A Modern Take on a Classic Layer
For this look, I’m wearing the EVEREVE Ollie Varsity Vest, which feels like a nice update to more traditional quilted styles. The quilting is a bit more subtle, the striped trim gives it a sporty vibe, and the slightly cropped fit feels modern but not overly trendy.
I styled it over a long-sleeve black crewneck tee in a casual ribbed knit. I usually wear a sweater under my puffer vests for warmth and a more polished look, but here the tee felt like a better match for the sporty vest and keeps the overall outfit relaxed and casual.
But it’s really the relaxed, straight-leg jeans that make this outfit feel updated to me. These are the MOTHER Lil Kick It, which I find myself reaching for whenever I want something casual and comfortable without feeling sloppy. They have great stretch with just the right amount of structure, and the silhouette feels modern without looking like you’re trying to dress like your daughter.
I’m wearing the petite version with a 30″ inseam so I can easily wear them with flats, but they also come in a 32″ inseam for taller ladies. They’re available in a darker wash as well, but I like how the lighter wash keeps the outfit from feeling too conservative or overly preppy.
Sneakers would work really well here too, but I opted for waterproof suede lug-sole boots to bookend the look and keep it practical for winter weather. They do look a little clunky to me, though. Next time, I’ll try my adidas Spezial or VEJA Esplar sneakers instead—both have a lighter base with black accents that would work really well here, and the lower profile would be a better complement to these jeans.
I added a black leather belt with bold silver hardware to anchor the outfit and give it a little edge. It’s also a style that’s trending right now, which helps the look feel more current. I finished things off with silver earrings and my favorite black sunglasses.
For more color combination ideas, I pulled a few puffer vest outfits from my archives for you to browse below. Even though some of the silhouettes may not feel as current, the color combinations are still timeless.
More Ways to Style a Puffer Vest
A black quilted vest with grey jeans and black boots works with just about any color top. On the left, I styled it with a green striped sweater; on the right, with a cranberry turtleneck.
similar grey flares (straight leg option) // similar quilted vest // similar black boots // green stripe sweater // similar cranberry turtleneck
This look with blue jeans, an ivory sweater, and a chestnut brown vest is one of my all-time favorites—such a pleasing color palette. The clogs and belt really pull it together.
exact ivory sweater (S) (similar for less) // MOTHER Hustler (29) // similar puffer // similar belt // Kork-Ease clogs
I wore this look to a casual dinner with my husband a couple of years ago, and I still really like the ivory henley with the black quilted vest. The red Puma sneakers add a fun pop. I’d wear this again today with a more relaxed denim silhouette.
Camel and black with blue jeans has long been one of my favorite color combinations, and it works beautifully with a black vest and a camel sweater. Here are two similar looks—one styled with brown boots and bag, and the other with black.
LEFT: similar quilted vest // Nordstrom sweater (S) (option) // similar MOTHER Weekender (29) // similar boots // HOBO Render Shoulder Bag // RIGHT: similar quilted vest // similar turtleneck // similar AG Mari // alternative booties // Everlane Studio Bag
And I still like this casual outfit from last winter with washed black jeans and a faux leather puffer vest for an edgy touch. The black vest and black jeans work with just about any color top, but the grey sweater keeps everything in the same palette for a chic, monochromatic look. The sneakers feel a bit stark against the darker tones, but they still work within the palette—and the low-profile style is still on trend.
similar vest // Jenni Kayne Flynn (S) (similar for less) // similar jeans // adidas Spezial (8) // similar belt // Hammitt VIP crossbody // similar earrings
The next few looks are older, and while the silhouettes feel dated to me now, the color combinations still work.
In the outfit on the left, I’d swap the oversized kerchief-style blanket scarf for a more traditional oblong scarf. Instead of skinny jeans tucked into knee-high boots, I’d go with a more relaxed denim silhouette and finish the look with low-profile sneakers or lug sole boots.
The outfit on the right needs a bigger overhaul. I’d ditch the dated monogram pendant, tuck the striped tee into high-rise relaxed straight or relaxed bootcut jeans, and add a neutral boot or sneaker to modernize the look.
LEFT: similar red vest // similar sweater // RIGHT: similar green vest // similar stripe shirt // modern leopard flats
For these next two looks, I styled slim straight ankle jeans with a faux leather puffer vest over a long-sleeve tee and skater-style sneakers. I don’t hate these looks—I’d just update them with a more relaxed jean and swap the P448s for my adidas Spezials. (The Spezial has a lower profile and a more streamlined shape, which works better with wider denim and keeps the overall look feeling current.)
LEFT: similar rust tee // similar black vest // similar sneakers // similar jeans // RIGHT: similar yellow stripe tee // similar black vest // similar sneakers // similar jeans
And finally, a look I’ve loved for a long time… and wow, this was taken almost 10 years ago! Minus the chevron pendant, I think it’s pretty classic. I love the contrast of the bright pink turtleneck (I believe it was J.Crew) with the black quilted vest (also J.Crew) — I guess that’s why they look so classic. I would just give the sweater a front tuck to balance the proportions and add a belt for a more finished look. The black riding boots bookend the look, and while I probably wouldn’t wear those right now, they still work. To update it, I would swap them for a lug sole bootie and wear relaxed straight or relaxed bootcut jeans.
similar pink turtleneck // similar vest // alternative bootie // alternative jeans
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21 Responses
Love this post for a trip down memory lane. I was never able to bring myself to wear jeans ripped at the knee. But oh how fashion forward I felt when I first braved a striped tee with leopard flats and a bold pop of color. Or remember the mustard colored sweater with the leopard scarf? That’s around the time I found your blog. I’ve learned so much alongside you. Thank you! 🙂
LOL! That was a loooong time ago!!!
I remember that whole leopard blog post! And now animal prints are trending again and it was fun looking at your pairings! Love the leather jacket and green vest.
Love the look of the black puffer with the gray jeans. 🙂
I love seeing the old looks again! I only recently got rid of all the blanket scarves taking up room in my closet….why did we think it was ok to wrap all that fabric around us?? And that last pink sweater is a great color on you. Other than updating jean styles, JCrew sweaters definitely stand the test of time.
Such a fun little look back in time. I wonder what we’ll be wearing when we look back at today’s pictures and think “what a blast from the past”
I don’t have a vest. I’ve always struggled with the shoulder being too wide for my narrow shoulders. It’s like a need a racer back vest! That’s not to say I haven’t tried to force it though. I love how we’ve all journeyed together on fit and proportion!
Fun post😊
I do like the blast from the past ! I remember all of those looks… haha. I still wear vests to this day – they are so easy . I usually have to find petite sizes, so it’s a bit more challenging. Thanks for the post!
So fun to see how fashion has evolved! And I love the pic where Savannah posed with you!
Wearing almost the exact outfit today as the main one in this post (except I have on leopard print jeans) since you inspired me to ask for the varsity vest for Christmas!
Thanks for doing the post, I really like the updated look with the tone on tone vest/sweater (in your case long sleeve tshirt) and relaxed jeans. Great color combination ideas from the older posts too.
What a great look back on past outfits! I love vests and wear them often this time of year- they’re perfect for our CA winter. I know fashion evolves, but I would still wear a few of your older outfits without hesitation (I love the classic JCrew looks, the last pink turtleneck with tall black riding boots, and the ivory sweater with the camel vest and your clogs are all darling!) Did you end up getting rid of your Mother Weekender jeans? I still like that silhouette a lot on you (on me too) and I always loved how you styled those P448 sneakers (I bought a pair because of your influence and still wear them!)
Oh BTW I am now getting your emails again (I got one today)!
Those light wash MOTHER Hustlers would be waaaaay too small on me now. I have a white pair from last summer that I’m curious to try again this spring. I definitely feel like the style is still relevant.
I hear you on sizing! I’m wondering if I should size up in my beloved Paige LC. I know I’ve gained some weight this past year so there’s that, and also one size up might give me a touch more of a relaxed fit while still wearing a style I love. I might try it. Anywho…I decided to wear my black JCrew puffer vest over a beige/carmel long sleeved tee today because of your post. 😊
Almost forgot about that Varsity vest–I do like! I’m curious since you are highlighting vests here–I don’t see you showing the awesome vests from the Gap that you highlighted last year? I believe you had a burgundy vest worn with a grey thermal. I bought that burgundy vest, I love it. Its got a nice collar and pockets lined with a soft felt material. I even bought my sons’s fiancee one last year and this year, bought one for my daughter. Did you pass it on or did you just forget about it? Such a well made vest at a great price from the Gap!
I’m not a vest person but I really like the varsity vest. It’s different and so cute.
How did you know I was obsessing over vests lately?! Trying in vain to find my old Athleta dark grey vest; must have donated it which is tragic. Love the suggestions, thank you.
The old pics are awesome!!
It looks like based on the comments that others, including me, enjoy seeing the old outfit photographs. Perhaps more posts with modern updates to past outfits for blog content this year? Perhaps posts this year reminiscing about past outfits and content in commemoration of 20 years of blogging?
So strange to see how outfits get dated in short time. I remember some of these and they were spot on. I like the looser jeans but it’s hard to get use to not having them tighter to my body. Makes them feel stretched out to me. BUT….. not doing a skinny right now.
A puffer vest is a personal favorite! I’m loving the (slightly) longer ones this year. I didn’t “need” them but I bought both milk chocolate brown and, of course, black. Heh. I’m wearing the brown one over black jeans and a lightweight black sweater, and also over a tonal look (natural jeans and either an ivory sweater or a light khaki satin shirt). We’re heading to a house concert tonight; tonal it is. Thanks for this post.
I also love the look back at older outfits and that you give suggestions how you would update the outfit for now and WHY the pieces / styles no longer work or are fashionable or why you know better now! lol Then if we have some of those older items, we learn how to wear it better now or to get rid of it! You could even make it a weekly feature – “make over mondays” “tune up tuesdays” “wtf wednesdays” 😆