November 7, 2022
If it’s REALLY the beginning of winter, we will need something warm! I have to admit – I have 2 vests (pink and black) and I wear them a LOT – they’re just enough warmth to get me down the block to the drugstore or other “near” errands…
Image – Hokku.wordpress.com
If it hasn’t snowed or rained, there’s no reason that you can’t still wear white jeans. I’m sure someone, somewhere, still feels the prohibition of “white after Labor Day,” but we don’t accept those limitations!
Dark cobalt blue vest – Lands’ End; snowflake earrings – BaubleBar; hat – Lands’ End; plaid flannel shirt – J.Crew; white jeans – J.Crew; sneakers – Nurse Mates
This next outfit has just a hint of the holiday season…
Quilted vest – Lands’ End; earrings – Nordstrom; sparkly hat – Kate Spade New York; flannel shirt – J.Crew; corduroy pants – J.Crew; sneakers – Merinos
These really EARLY sunsets can be hard to take…
Photo – The Old Farmer’s Almanac
If you have a favorite accent color, a vest in that color can be both useful and fun!
Blackberry heather vest – Lands’ End; toadstool earrings – Amar & Riley; hat – Julia Allert; plaid shirt – Rails; corduroy pants – L.L.Bean; wool sneakers – Merinos
Maybe if you lie in a snowdrift wearing a white vest, nobody will be able to see you…
Ivory vest – Lands’ End; earrings – Brook And York; hat – Maison Douillet; flannel shirt – L.L.Bean; jeans – J.Crew; sneakers – Eileen Fisher
Are we ready to see snow yet? I am, but I ALWAYS am…
Image – The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Bear in mind that a vest doesn’t have to be casual – it can be pretty appropriate for a lot of offices – especially those that are always chilly.
Warm tawny brown vest – Lands’ End; earrings – Deepa Gurnani; scarf – Ted Baker London; black shirt – J.Crew; velvet pants – J.Crew; loafers – Lifestride
And of course, a vest can be VERY casual!
green vest – Lands’ End; earrings – Lily Charmed; scarf – ichcha; grey hoodie –Lands’ End; grey cords – L.L.Bean; boots – Munro
Snow is beautiful… sigh…
Image – VOCM
I know that some people don’t quite understand the usefulness of vests, but for those of us who do, it’s time to break them out and wear them a lot!
love,
Janice
p.s. Three years ago, our heroine took a warm-weather vacation with navy, bright green and yellow as her accent. The painting that inspired her is wonderful…
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Lovely post. The photos and the wardrobes are all just beautiful. Did I miss one of the Six Scarves posts? I thought there was one more to go? It is raining here presently, but we do have a forecast for possible snow this week, so any winter posting very timely. I decided I needed some extra cheer so set up my Christmas tree this weekend. My first ever fake tree and I’m so happy with it. Wish I’d done it years ago :) I love fall/winter clothing. Thanks Janice!
There is indeed 1 more “Six Scarves” post to go – but I try to keep the seasons as close to their start date as I reasonably can. At least ONE thing in my life stays on schedule!
hugs,
Janice
Beautiful.
Vests have become my favorite layer from fall through spring. I don’t usually include too many patterns in my wardrobe but I did just buy a plaid one. It doesn’t scream “holiday’ but with the right accessories , maybe a fun brooch, it will be festive. With a column of dark color underneath, I think it will cheer me as we move into the months of shorter days. Of the examples you show, I love the dressier ones, even though they wouldn’t get worn often enough here. Thank you
That post Labor Day rule was only ever about white SHOES, not other items of clothing.
I knew it was shoes, but when I was in college they were pretty snarky about jeans too. Maybe Iowa was just a snarky place!
hugs,
Janice
Growing up in my area of Michigan it was always no white after Labor day. Shoes, pants, purse, etc. Funny to think about “fashion rules”.
Cute and inspiring… but.. to me…
These look like the same outfit! Is there a way to mix them up? I kept scrolling thinking I’d see a pattern vest with a solid shirt, or more contrast. Reminds me of catalogs or the Old Navy “everyone in turtlenecks!” Commercials.
although when I went from the sunbelt to New England for college, everyone did wear vests and similar outfits! Maybe if you can’t beat ’em… ?
I used to hate vests until I spent a whole winter in Germany. I took 2 padded ones and gave them so much use I can’t believe they’re still in good shape (and were bought at an outlet, sometimes we hit the wardrobe jackpot!). Warm and light, easy to pack when you need, and can save you from getting a bad cold when you get home a bit latter than you planned.
Really liked the ivory and the red outfits. Thanks Janice!
Cheers and blessings to all!!
Such vests would also work well with a skirt or a dress.
The beginning of winter is when we switch the heating on. We’ve been holding out for weeks now. We switched it on this weekend as the house felt cold on when we came back from a Christmas Food Fair. I love this time of year when there are Christmas fairs and markets from now until Christmas. Always a good place to find unique presents and interesting food. For some reason they are either in very hot halls or outside in the freezing cold. Some venues manage both! So layers are key.
I’m not a great fan of vests as the quilted ones just make me look even smaller and rounder than I am anyway. I also like my arms to be warm. So I’ll stick to my cable knit and chunky rib jumpers and cardigans. I’ll just take a waterproof coat or wax jacket as the weather is fickle at the moment.
Warm arms! That’s my issue with these vests. If my torso needs that degree of warmth and wind protection, so do my arms. I love a sweater but knitwear doesn’t adequately protect against wind for me so wearing a sweater under a vest just doesn’t do it for me.
I love the sound of those Christmas markets and fairs. Enjoy!
Yes! If I’m going to look small and round I’ll do it with warm arms :) I have a fabulous quilted coat which is the warmest coat I’ve ever had and so I don’t mind how I look! I do wish I had the figure for these though and I love the outfits you’ve put together Janice.
I love wearing quilted (and sometimes puffy) vests indoors all cold season long with pants or skirts. I have been astonished by how frequently I wear the white one! It adds such a welcome lightness to darker outfits in winter and works extremely well with the paler colors I tend to wear in spring. If you’re worried that a winter vest will add bulk, they come in a variety of weights and silhouettes. And I am definitely less shapeless in a quilted vest than my co-workers who end up wrapping blankets around themselves in the chill ;)
Love these posts Janice – thanks for sharing this. And I also love vests!
I like the look of vests, but how do you keep your arms warm? A jumper (sweater) isn’t enough as I still need two layers on my skinny arms, so although my middle is nice and toasty my arms are chilled. Never any snow where I live in Perth, Western Australia, but the winter is cold enough. The outfits are lovely though as are the photos.