Sweater vests are the geek-chic garment of the moment, conjuring up a ’90s vibe that’s equal parts Urkel and Clueless. Celebrities from Harry Styles to members of K-Pop band BTS have been popularizing the look, and a slew of designers from Michael Kors to Eckhaus Latta peppered their spring collections with sleeveless knits.

🔥Trend Alert🔥 With their retro geek-chic style, sweater vests are making a comeback. I'm sporting my favorite #sweatervest. What about you guys? Will you wear the look? #style #fashion #trends #promoproducts pic.twitter.com/jpPPC1cgHg

— Theresa Hegel (@TheresaHegel) April 28, 2021

Stylist Taylor Okata recently told The New York Times that sweater vests are an ideal garment for emerging from more than a year of coronavirus quarantining: “There’s a level of comfort with a sweater vest. I feel like it’s an evolution. It’s for people who want to be comfortable, but don’t always want to be in a hoodie.”

The corporate sweater vest (4065) from Edwards Garment (asi/51752) offers style, warmth and durability.

Sweater vests work particularly well in spring and fall – basically any time light layers are called for. “Vests are a great way to layer without getting too bulky, so they’re an ideal transitional outerwear piece,” says Natalie Hopkins, senior merchandiser for Top 40 supplier alphabroder (asi/34063).

The sweater vest also provides an accessible avenue to dress up an outfit, without making it too restrictive – thanks to that trusty lack of sleeves. Gina Barreca, director of marketing at Top 40 supplier Vantage Apparel (asi/93390), calls it “a blazer that’s not a blazer.”

The Harriton Pilbloc V-neck sweater vest (M415W) from alphabroder (asi/34063) has a high resistance to pilling, making it a great piece for either office attire or more rugged uses.

For a more traditional look, sweater vests can be layered over a shirt or dress tee, or even under a suit coat, says Taraynn Lloyd, marketing director at Top 40 supplier Edwards Garment (asi/51752). “Casual apparel is the world we live in today, and sweater vests are seen as casual, comfortable attire,” she adds. “Personally, I think a good sweater vest is a game-changer for your wardrobe.”

But the trend also works for younger demographics who like the retro and nostalgic look of the sweater vest but are “styling them in unexpected ways,” Hopkins says. For instance, some men have been wearing sweater vests, tank top-style, without bothering to layer. And oversized vests – like their cold-weather cousin, the chunky sweater – are also a popular take on the look. In fact, a certain houndstooth print sweater vest has become an unofficial uniform for a wide range of TikTok and Instagram influencers.

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Sweater vests are a trend practically tailor-made for the promo industry. “Vests of all kinds have been a prominent staple in the promotional apparel market for some time, meaning there are many out there to choose from including the traditional sweater vest variety, but also other alternatives such as fleece, soft shells and puffer,” says Catherine Tremblay, manager of private brand merchandising for alphabroder Canada (asi/37143). She adds that alphabroder has seen a lot of growth since early 2020 with its retail puffer-style vests.

The Summit sweater fleece vest (3308) from Vantage Apparel is one of its best-selling outerwear pieces.

Vantage also has a wide variety of vests, from more sporty zip-up styles to the Summit sweater fleece vest (women’s 3308/men’s 3307), which Barreca reports is one of the supplier’s best-selling outerwear pieces. For the fall, the supplier plans to add to its vest selection “with a new sweater/fleece style that fits the comfort trend with a cotton-rich blend and textural interest,” she adds.

When it comes to decorating vests, Lloyd advises sticking with the classic choice: embroidery. “You always want to make sure that the decoration enhances the style you wear, so keeping designs simple is key,” Lloyd says. For vests with a smoother surface, like puffers and soft shells, consider using a heat seal or other novelty decoration technique, Tremblay says.

Sweater vests aren’t the only type of vest making a comeback. Vogue recently noted an upswing in the Willy Wonka-esque waistcoat – like a three-piece suit, sans two of the pieces. Celebs Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid have both sported the look recently. “In a twisted way, maybe this return of the vest is part of the return to the office, as people are getting more vaccinated and longing for normalcy,” Liana Satenstein writes for Vogue.

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