Hello there from snowy Pennsylvania! We actually didn’t as much snow as I would have liked, but it’s still a beautiful winter wonderland outside. I realize some areas were really walloped, so if that’s you, I hope you’re staying warm and dry.
I always like to kick off the new year with “5 Ways to Style” posts—they’re a great way to get inspired and make the most of what’s already in our closets. This season, vests are a major trend, and I’ve added a few to my winter wardrobe. Today, I’m sharing 5 ways to style a black vest for the season ahead! First, let’s talk about what styles of vests look current for Winter 2025, and then I’ll show you how I like to wear mine.
What Vest Styles Are In for Winter 2025?
Vests are having a big moment this winter, with several styles standing out as both practical and on-trend.
similar vest (S) // similar sweater (S) // similar PAIGE Laurel Canyon (29) (similar for less) // Marc Fisher booties (8) // YSL sunnies // similar belt // similar earrings
Puffer vests, both short and longline styles, are leading the pack. The longer versions, in particular, feel fresh and modern, offering extra warmth and a touch of drama.
Quilted vests remain a timeless choice, but to keep them looking current, opt for more tailored silhouettes and slim fits that add a polished feel to your look.
And textured fabrics are another key trend this season. Faux fur, vegan leather, and sherpa finishes are especially popular, giving vests a cozy-meets-stylish vibe that’s perfect for winter layering.
Black Vest Outfit Ideas To Try
For my first look, I’m styling this classic quilted vest from Evereve with similar jeans and a deep red turtleneck sweater. I chose casual black Chelsea boots that tie in nicely with the black vest, and then I finished the look with a black belt and bag.
STYLE TIP: Matching your belt, shoes, and bag is an easy way to create a cohesive and pulled-together look.
similar quilted vest // similar turtleneck (S) // similar grey jeans // similar boots // similar belt // Hammitt VIP crossbody // YSL sunnies // similar earrings
Another modern way to wear a vest this winter is by creating a monochromatic look with shades of grey and black. This vegan leather puffer vest has a bolder, trendier vibe compared to the quilted version above, making it perfect for layering over casual hoodies or chunky knits.
Here, I paired it with washed black straight-leg jeans and a grey v-neck sweater for a sleek, understated look. For a sporty touch, I added my adidas Spezial sneakers, but black boots would work just as well.
similar vest // Jenni Kayne Flynn (S) (similar for less) // AG Mari (29) // adidas Spezial (8) // similar belt // Hammitt VIP crossbody // similar earrings
This next look with a quilted vest is one I’ve shared before, and it remains one of my all-time favorite color combinations: black, camel, and denim. A camel sweater is one of my winter wardrobe essentials because it always adds a touch of class to an outfit. Plus, its versatility cannot be overstated; I wear mine so many ways. As a “winter,” I just make sure to look for cooler camel tones that complement my coloring.
For this look, I went with caramel brown suede boots and a coordinating glazed leather bag, and I skipped the belt this time, but adding one would definitely give the outfit a more polished finish.
similar quilted vest // Nordstrom sweater (S) (option) // similar MOTHER Weekender (29) // similar boots // HOBO Render Shoulder Bag
Here’s a similar look featuring a quilted vest, but this time it’s styled down a bit with a camel ribbed sweater hoodie and suede Oxford sneakers. The burgundy color is sold out, but there are other colors to choose from.
STYLE TIP: Layering a hoodie under a vest or jacket with the hood flipped out over the back creates an of-the-moment look that adds interest and a casual, sporty vibe.
similar Quilted Vest (S) // similar sweater hoodie // similar MOTHER Dazzler (29) // Vince Oasis (8) // Madewell tote // Celine sunglasses
Back to the faux leather puffer, this time I layered it over a charcoal grey ribbed funnel neck sweater for a sleek and cozy base. I added flares in medium indigo wash and pointy toe heeled boots to level up the look, making it perfect for a casual dinner out with my husband or girlfriends. Of course, you can wear any color sweater with this outfit, but there’s something about charcoal grey and black together that feels effortlessly chic.
similar vest // similar Funnel Neck Sweater (S) // similar PAIGE Laurel Canyon (29) (similar for less) // Marc Fisher booties (8) // similar belt // Hammitt VIP crossbody // similar earrings
Bonus Outfits with a Black Vest
I know this post is supposed to be about 5 ways to wear a black vest, but you know me—I can never leave well enough alone! Plus, I wanted to add a little more variety to the photos, so here are a few more ways I’ve styled a black vest this season…
Another option for the quilted vest and grey jeans is to wear a bold stripe, like this brilliant green and navy stripe pullover. (The navy stripes are so dark, they look black when paired with the black vest.)
similar Quilted Vest // old Thea Crew Pullover (M) // similar MOTHER jeans // similar boots
For more of a sporty, dressed-down vibe, I wore the black quilted vest with an ivory henley tee, medium wash flares, and red Puma sneakers for a casual dinner out with Paul last fall. I don’t wear these red sneakers a lot because they’re pretty bright for my understated style sensibilities, but I’m keeping them in case we go to a Phillies game this spring.
I also love this monochromatic look with a black hoodie, washed black jeans, and my adidas Spezials in the Aluminum/Core Black/White.
LEFT: similar Quilted Vest // similar henley // similar MOTHER Weekender Fray // Puma sneakers // Hammitt VIP crossbody
RIGHT: similar Quilted Vest // similar black hoodie // AG Mari (29) // adidas Spezial (8) // Hammitt VIP crossbody
Another fun monochromatic outfit I’ve worn recently features a trendy black hooded sherpa vest layered over a classic black crewneck sweater, paired with grey flares. This time, I chose black boots to bookend the look.
And finally, the last look is very similar to some shown above, but I thought I’d include it to show how mixing and matching the same pieces can create completely different outfits.
LEFT: similar sherpa vest // Vince crewneck (M) (budget option) // similar MOTHER jeans // similar boots // similar bag
RIGHT: similar Quilted Vest // Jenni Kayne Flynn (S) (similar for less) // similar MOTHER jeans // similar boots // similar bag
And here are a few more from past years. These looks are rather dated at this point in time, but I like the color combinations, and I think it’s fun to see how my style has evolved over the years…
I hope this post gives you some fresh inspiration for styling a black vest this winter!
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34 Responses
I love them all but my favorites are the bonus looks especially with the green striped sweater.
Yeah, me too. LOL! I need you to come help me plan outfits for these posts! 🤪
Jolynn, I figured out how to click on a outfit you are wearing and saving it to my pinterest. FYI I filled out survey and said I wanted to see that as a feature. It just takes me a little longer to figure out all this techy stuff. 🤪
Yes, I saw that comment and wasn’t sure how to get back to you. 🙂 Glad you figured it out!
For anyone following along who may be wondering, there should be a red P button pop up on the top left when you hover over a picture that you can click on and save any image to Pinterest.
We had a nice snow in central Delaware. Day 2 of no school for my grandchildren who live next door to me. What a great post to start off the year, Jo-Lynne. I’ve worn a puffy vest for decades– even when it wasn’t a thing, and you could only get them from LL Bean and Lands End. I love them because I dislike wearing a coat in the car or a stuffy store. In the coldest of winter, I throw a puffy coat in the backseat but wear a sweater, jeans, boots and a vest. One of my “uniforms” as my daughter likes to say. I keep noticing the long vests and wonder how much use I would get out of one. This makes me think maybe I wouldn’t wear it often enough to justify giving it a place in my closet. But I would have bought the Zella one had it been available in my size. My favorite updated look is a sweater hoodie with a vest.
Vests are definitely my jam! I am ashamed to count how many I have going back to J Crew vests! I have shorter and longer ones, and different fabrics. I certainly love my soft sherpa-type ones from Lands End in this winter weather! I had to giggle at your red sneaker comment. I hope you get to a Phillies game this summer, we go to several every season! But wear those red sneakers all summer long for all the patriotic holidays and to the beach!! Also, thanks for posting your QVC link. I already had that Laura Geller kit in my bag, so I got out of it immediately and used your link instead! I LOVE her Spackle and baked powders. Can’t wait to try the lip oil. Enjoy the snowy landscape today!
Why thank you, that’s so sweet of you! I’m glad to know it’s a winner for you. I can’t believe I never heard of it before!
This is interesting because I usually have the exact style aesthetic as you do. I can’t tell you how many vests I have purchased because they look so good on you, but I end up not wearing and then donating. The last one was the JCrew black one. I like them in theory, but not on me. On the other hand, you did convert me to the sweater hoodie. I originally got the Vince ink blue one and it’s still in my closet after several years. I also have a pink cashmere hoodie sweater, I believe after you showed it at some point. And I just tried Laura Geller baked foundation and blush and highlighter this past year and it has totally changed my makeup routine. I use it over Supergoop Glowscreen, which works as a sunscreen/primer/foundation and gives a youthful glow. I highly recommend both products. And snow! Here in Indiana, we got 11 inches of heavy, wet snow. All of the counties closed everything, including the mail delivery and interstate due to ice. It’s been awhile since we’ve had weather like this.
FUN! That’s a lot of snow. It’s been YEARS since we have had more than 10″ of snow here. I miss it. Funny that you don’t gravitate to vests. I love them in lieu of a coat when going to the mall b/c they aren’t as heavy but still provide enough warmth to get from my car to the mall entrance.
I love this post, please do more of these! I think I pinned every single outfit! Are colored vests out of style? I have some quilted ones in navy, burgundy and brown, besides my black ones. I usually only wear the black or navy ones.
Not really, but it is more modern to style them with like colors or with low-contrast shades (or is it tones? I get those terms confused)—rather than as a “pop of color” with a more neutral outfit. I hope that makes sense.
Yes, that makes total sense, thank you!
I love the look of a vest. But do you really wear them during the winter? Are they warm enough? or do you wear a coat over them?
I do. It depends on where I’m going and how cold it is outside. I often wear it to the mall b/c I hate to wear a heavy coat in the mall, and I only have to get from the car to the entrance. And we get some mild winter days here in Philly.
Love all of these! You’ve given me several good ideas for styling a J Crew Factory quilted vest that I’ve had for a couple of years.
Often in your emails you feature “Daily Finds”. How do I access those?
You should be able to click on the images and they will open in the retailer’s website.
Jo-Lynne, just to let you know, for some reason I have never been able to open those Daily Finds links in your daily emails on my HP Laptop, but I can on my iPhone. So, if I want to open a link, I just have to wait till I am on my phone. It’s always been that way for me. I assumed it was just an issue with my laptop, not an issue on your end.
It must be an issue with your browser – a pop up blocker, perhaps? That’s all I can think of b/c only a few people have the issue.
What a great post with so many options. I have not been wearing my vests this winter, but I need to. I hope that Becca was able to fly back to Nashville.
She was! So glad her flight was Tuesday and not Monday.
I forgot to tell you that I ordered the QVC makeup special. I can’t wait to get it.
I just started using the Laura Geller makeup and love it. It goes on so nice and I find as we get older sometimes the liquid foundations doing look great, this one is really good. Also, since you can only order her products online, if you pick a color choice that you are not happy with, you can replace it and they tell you to keep the original one (or actually say just donate it). You dont have to return anything and they will ship you a new color free. Great customer service. Love the kabuki brushes too.
Love all the looks even though I don’t wear vests. I like gray and camel sweaters too. I like this type of post to get ideas on how to style our clothes. I just ordered the Laura Geller collection from QVC. I used your link so hope you get credit.
Thank you! Let me know how you like it.
These are all great outfits. I find the vest is so great for adding warmth and I put one under my coat for an NHL hockey game recently. It really helped me stay warm and stylish during the game. Sadly, I “over-bought” into the open collar trend. My favorite new sweaters don’t look good under my vests because of the open collar. Still, you gave some options for amazing sweater bargains; maybe I will add a new sweater without the open collar!
Hi Jo-Lynne, I love all the outfits you styled and have similar items in my wardrobe, except the vest. I’m short and pear-shaped and have found that vests that fall to my hip and/or are cut narrow through the top of the shoulder, over-emphasize my shape, making me look like a triangle with legs, lol. I see a couple in your shopping widgets that may work. Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh thank you for posting a blog on the Evereve light weight quilted vest, as requested. I just received mine in the mail, but am sick so yet to wear it, but can’t wait to style it. I ordered both the XS and SM and you were right, I like the XS best. Good thing as the SM has a hole in the pocket seam. Its going to get good use for our mild Winter so far and into Spring it can easily go with Spring long sleeve or even short sleeve tops. I love it with the bright green hoodie I bought at Evereve awhile back. Now to get well, so I can put on regular clothes. LOL I wish we’d get a good snow. Great post with great ideas. You look good in all the pictures.
PS I was tempted to order and try the Laura make-up, but once I checked out the ingredients, it was a fast NO. They are not clean and I have to stick to my clean brands.
Love this post and I love vests!! I have several and I’m always drawn to them when I’m out shopping!!! Great ideas to make out outfits feel fresh, current and modern!
I ordered a really puffy vest from Amazon in a periwinkle color. It was I expensive and may have been a mistake. Just tired of black. Is that not trending now?
I bought a really puffy vest from Amazon in periwinkle. Not expensive and tired of black. Is this look not trending now?
It sounds pretty. I would try styling a monochromatic look with it or stick with low contrast colors for a current look.
Great post!