This past spring, I was downtown at LaQuan Smith’s Fall 2024 show to view his collection, inspired by the 1980s Wall Street-style scene. As The O’Jays’ song, “For the Love of Money,'' began to echo through the venue, a lineup of models emerged from a massive velvet curtain dressed in quintessential power looks—floor-sweeping trousers, leather suit sets, and opulent fur coats. Every look entranced me, but one particular outfit was imprinted in my memory: A polished, tailored pinstripe vest that hit right below the hips and screamed she means business.
On the runways, Gabriela Hearst showcased a roomy double-breasted style vest, Hermès took the ultramodern route with an unconventional zipper closure, and Staud offered a tailored silhouette with subtle patch pockets.
LaQuan Smith's Fall 2024 collection featured a sleek tailored mini dress vest.
I'm not the only one into this tailored vest frenzy. In real life, I’ve spotted droves of nine-to-fivers wearing them through the bustling streets of Manhattan.
Celebrity stylist Mickey Freeman also noticed a slew of tailored vests while recently roaming around New York City's downtown neighborhoods. Cut from lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, he says they provide an ideal wardrobe workaround for sizzling temperatures without requiring layers like white T-shirts or button-downs.
Gabriela Hearst, Hermès, and Staud all made a case for the tailored vest trend during the Spring 2024 fashion week circuit.
“You know what they say, trends always come back around, and the contemporary resurgence of tailored vests aligns closely with the simplistic corporate dress codes of the 1990s,” says another stylist, Catherine Bibeau.
But tailored vests circa the '90s weren't just the go-to uniform for the office. Turn on an old episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and you'll see Karyn Parsons in her role as Hilary Banks dressed in tailored separates adorned with brooches. Tailored vests were a wardrobe mainstay for Friends Rachel Green, while Julia Roberts championed the tailored vest look paired with tailored trousers on a '90s red carpet appearance.
The rise of tailored vests in the '90s is illustrated by pop culture icons like Karyn Parsons, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston, all of whom consistently favored the style.
Versatile and chic, it's no wonder tailored vests are once again entering the trend chat from brands like The Frankie Shop, Aritzia, and Posse—to name a few. When layered, a tailored vest can seamlessly transition into the colder months. It's a purchase with a great return on the in"vest"ment.
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Meet the Experts
Catherine Bibeau is a renowned fashion stylist with over a decade of experience in the industry. She is widely respected in the fashion industry for her outstanding work in fashion design, styling, branding and fashion marketing and sales. She has experience working at Buffalo Jeans, Ferragamo, and various other consumer luxury brands.
Mitchell Freeman, also known as Mickey, is a fashion stylist born and raised in Philadelphia. His instinctual creative flair has had very early beginnings and there's no ending in sight. There are many facets to his sartorial expertise, as he playfully calls it, that draw in many fashion brands, publications, and celebrity clients. Mickey currently works with the likes of Peyton List, McKenna Grace, Landry Bender, Aldis Hodge, Tobias Harris, Sinqua Walls, Dylan Sprouse, Azealia Banks, Keke Palmer, and Dascha Polanco.
