For a long time, insulated vests were exclusively sportswear, but a few years ago, designers began to create urban options that are gaining more and more popularity. If you're still in doubt about the value of a sleeveless down jacket and whether or not to add it to your off-season wardrobe, check out this article! We will tell you how to choose a warmed vest, what to wear with it and in what situations it can be truly indispensable.
The history of quilted vests
An insulated vest is a type of outerwear, in fact a quilted jacket filled with down or padding polyester, but without sleeves. It can have a hood, sometimes – removable sleeves, and can also be part of a jacket and coat and is attached to the top layer with a zipper.
Down vests were born as sportswear. For many outdoor sports such as golf, rowing, sailing, running, water skiing, etc., outerwear was needed that would protect from the wind and cold, but at the same time leave your hands free: this is exactly sleeveless jackets were born. For example, golfers began to wear them over a knitted sweater, and in rainy weather – under a waterproof raincoat.
From sports, vests came to leisure wear, and then to everyday
In the last few years, in the wake of interest in sports style (of which the popularity of sneakers and sneakers is a good example), insulated vests have gone beyond sports stores and flashed in the most ordinary stores. It has become fashionable to wear them with jeans and a sweater or T-shirt, as well as use them as an additional warming layer under outerwear. In warm countries, vests with down insulation are considered almost winter clothing, in our latitudes they are more likely to come in handy during the transition period – in spring and autumn, and thinner models – in cool summer.
Vest as an additional layer
Let's start with the perhaps non-obvious, but very useful function of insulated vests – to act as an additional layer of outerwear. Surely in the spring and autumn you have had to be in doubt more than once about which jacket to wear: it seems that it is already hot in the winter, but it is still cold in a light leather or coat … It is for such cases that down vests are designed. If you wear it under a coat, a thin jacket or a sports jacket, you will noticeably increase the 'frost resistance' of the set. At the same time, if the sun comes out during the day and warms the air, you can always take off your vest: especially thin models are even sold with special bags in which they can be hidden. By the way, this option is very convenient when traveling and traveling.
This is how you can unobtrusively “warm up” with a vest
If you intend to wear a vest under other clothes, keep in mind that it should be thin enough. Ideally, try it on immediately with a raincoat / jacket at the time of purchase. In addition, a model without a hood will be more comfortable. But as for the color, various options are acceptable. You can choose a vest in the color of your outerwear, for example, black, in this case, then it will be almost invisible when worn, or vice versa, play in contrast, enlivening a boring jacket or jacket with a bright waistcoat collar.
By the way, the vest can also be worn over a thin jacket or coat. In this case, the product should sit on you more freely, but you still need to try to avoid being too massive.
Here are some interesting looks where the vest is used as an additional layer in clothing:
The vest can also be worn over a thin jacket 
The vest will help turn a light coat into a warmer one 
A vest in a contrasting color enlivens a casual outfit 
Interesting everyday look with a bright insulated vest 
Vest + jacket – a good option for a warm spring or cool summer 
A dark colored vest will look as neutral as possible 
A vest with a jacket creates an image on the verge of work and relaxation 
On vacation, you can also use the principle of layering 
The vest can also fit into a smart casual look
The vest as a separate garment
The quilted vest is becoming more and more popular as an independent outerwear item. Its main advantage is, of course, lightness and convenience. These models protect well from the wind and retain heat, but at the same time they leave hands free, do not constrain movements, which is very convenient both while walking and driving a car.
Vest in neutral colors goes well with jeans and a jumper
The insulated vest can be worn with different types of clothing, so it will be easier to start with what you should definitely not wear it with – a business suit or a classic shirt, wool trousers and shoes. Even the most laconic sleek black vest still belongs to the casual style, and you don't need to try to fit it into a business set.
As for everyday looks, the choice is huge. Vests can be worn over a sweater, sweatshirt, long or short sleeve t-shirt, polo, casual shirt, etc. Jeans, chinos or corduroy trousers are perfect for bottoms. From footwear, you should pay attention to deserts or chukka boots, topsiders, as well as sneakers, trainers and sneakers.
Keep in mind that thick vests, reminiscent of a warm sleeveless down jacket, especially with a hood, are more suitable for leisure, travel, country trips, etc. For everyday life in the city, it is better to choose thin and medium thick vests, without large logos of sports brands and other details of the outdoor style. Combined vests look interesting, for example, with wool inserts.
Consider several looks in different styles:
Vests keep you warm in warm but windy weather 
Warm vest can be complemented with a stylish scarf 
Warm vests go well with patterned shirts 
There are daredevils who wear a vest over a business suit, but in such combinations you need to be careful 
A vest in light or bright colors sets the tone for the whole look 
Hooded vests are suitable for cooler weather 
A padded vest + shirt and jeans are a good option for warm but rainy weather 
Thicker vests are best paired with a sweater or sweatshirt 
Thin waistcoat in neutral color can be worn over a jumper in the office 
For outdoor activities, vests can be much more comfortable than jackets
Where to buy a men's insulated vest
If you decide to purchase an insulated vest, first of all, think about where you plan to wear it. If you need a thing for outdoor activities, walks in the open air, etc., then the best option is to look for them in sports stores. Vests of famous brands such as Adidas, Reebok, Puma, Nike are sewn using various modern technologies, so they keep warm well, protect from light rain and remain light and comfortable. But, of course, their appearance will be recognizably related to sporty style.
If you need a vest as a lightweight outerwear for the city, pay attention to brands that work at the intersection of urban and outdoor styles, for example, Napapijri, Tommy Hilfiger, Superdry, Finn Flare, Quiksilver. Here are more options for finding neat, statement-making pieces that fit well into your everyday wardrobe.
The most versatile option is a one-color insulated waistcoat in neutral colors, it is suitable for almost any purpose
If you plan to wear a vest as an additional layer under a jacket, coat or jacket, you need a simple thin model without much decor. These are easiest to find in the outerwear sections of common popular brands, for example, Uniqlo, Gap, Tom Tailor, United Colors of Benetton.
Let's take a look at some of the popular models from the new collections that you can find in stores this spring:
Finn Flare Insulated Vest
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Warm vest Pepe Jeans
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Tony Backer Vest
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Vest by Reebok Classics
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Warm vest from the Napapijri brand
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Frank NY reversible vest
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Conclusion
An insulated vest is a convenient and versatile item that can be useful in various situations. Not the fact that you will wear it every day to work, but you will definitely appreciate the benefits of this model while traveling, outdoor recreation, walking around the city. Modern fashion allows you to combine vests with a variety of casual wear options, so they will easily fit into any wardrobe.
