If you follow any European fashion media outlets, you may have seen that quilted vests, reminiscent of the kind that were in style during the 1970s – 1990s, are back in a big way, and I couldn’t be happier about it. It usually takes a couple of years for fashion trends across the Atlantic to make their way over here (when I was in Italy in 2018 all the kids were wearing high waisted, wide leg denim and platform white sneakers, right out of the 90s. I thought they were crazy, but look where we are now.) but I’m hopping on this train right now.

I have always loved wearing vests. My sister will tell you (and make fun of me) that my love for these started sometime in middle school when I felt especially cool as I rocked a pink paisley number with a pink and white striped back – I felt elevated yet approachable as I casually strolled the hallways of my junior high. While the 1989 Batman movie was in full force and everybody was wearing T-shirt’s with the yellow and black logo, I knew I signaled to my peers, I’m a classy 12 year old, who is only interested in transcending time and trends. (Note that I think I wore this vest with a pair of glasses that had the flip up sunshades and peg rolled my jeans.)

To me, vests are an excellent way to layer or add dimension to any outfit. These styles bring out the hard core vintage Laura Ashley/cottage core disciple in me and will look great with bootcut or wide leg denim or corduroy trousers. These could go over button down shirts, long tees, light sweaters or underneath denim jacks for extra texture.

I rounded up a few of my favorite looks that look cozy and snug for the oncoming cold weather. Let me be clear – these are not the huge puffer vests that have dominated the landscape for so long. Feminine and fun, I think these will be the next big fall trend look in the next couple of years here. All images from Pinterest.