A stylish vest is a man's go-to garment for many occasions! 

The vest is a perfect choice for a man who needs a garment that adapts to many occasions. The popularity of this versatile piece of clothing has clearly increased recently among men's fashion. There are now plenty of different options available, and the vest is no longer just an accessory worn with a suit, but with various materials and details, vests can be created that work well in both stylish everyday life and celebrations. 

From theater to practical clothing

The vest has a long history as part of men's classic and stylish, more formal attire. It is believed that the first vests were used as early as the beginning of the 1600s in theater costumes and masquerade outfits.

In 1666, King Charles II of England introduced and popularized waistcoats, along with the three-piece suit that is still in use today, as a more widespread part of ordinary men's attire. At this time, the waistcoat, which was always made from the same fabric as the coat and trousers, was significantly longer than the model we know today and easily reached the same length as the coat.

Over the next hundred years, vests evolved at a rapid pace and diligently sought their form, heading towards the model we recognize today. However, vests were still made  with the trousers and jacket made from the same fabric, as part of a three-piece suit but now significantly shorter, cut to about waist height. It was also typical that during cold seasons a man might wear several vests at the same time to keep himself warm.

Little by little, vests began to be added as part of informal attire, and at the same time as the three-piece suit with its vest  continued to be a strong part of formal wear, vests made from more casual and thicker fabrics started to gain ground in everyday clothing. Eventually, the vest evolved into its current form as a very versatile part of dressing.

Liivi in different outfits

In a traditional three-piece suit, in addition to the jacket and trousers, a vest made from the same fabric is also worn. This classic ensemble is very stylish and is perfect for wearing to weddings or other clearly formal occasions. As part of a three-piece suit, the vest is at its most festive. 

If you still want to add a bit more color and twist to your festive attire, you can certainly choose a vest made from a different fabric to wear with the suit. For example, a checkered vest beautifully adds contrast and new dimensions to a solid-colored suit. It is still good to choose the vest from festive and neat materials, such as thin wool fabric, silk, or even cotton, so that the overall festiveness remains even if the vest fabric differs from the suit. 

It is also good to keep in mind the tone and atmosphere of the occasion. For joyful events or, for example, in summer, fresh colors and patterns work excellently, while in winter slightly darker shades and combinations are a safer choice. The fabric on the back of the vest can certainly be a bit more flamboyant even at a more subdued event, as it won't be visible with the jacket on.  if the event possibly relaxes towards the end of the evening, you can take off your jacket and let the back fabric of the vest shine.

A vest definitely adds versatility to your wardrobe and is also a great choice for sprucing up a blazer. Feel free to experiment with different color and pattern combinations! For example, a brown, reddish, or even orange-toned vest pairs beautifully with a blue blazer if you're ready to mix bolder colors. With a neat and glossy blazer, you can choose a vest made from similar material to maintain a cohesive look. This combination works stylishly in both smart workwear and casual outfits. The overall look can be easily transformed by switching the vest or blazer to one of a different shade or made from a more textured material. Depending on the occasion, the outfit pairs excellently with both neat, straight wool trousers and relaxed chinos.

In casual everyday wear, a vest can be worn on its own over a dress shirt, t-shirt, or even a sweater. For a relaxed look, you can of course choose a vest made from slightly more casual and distinctly rugged materials, such as wool, linen, or cotton blends. A casual vest doesn't need to have a shiny, smooth silk back; instead, more flexible materials like cotton or wool work excellently. In everyday use, the vest should be very comfortable, so it's worth favoring breathable and stretchy materials. You can achieve the perfect outfit by pairing a casual vest with a flat cap, which completes the dapper look. 

 If your everyday attire is colorful, your vest can also be on the more colorful side. However, if your wardrobe consists of more subdued tones, it's good to consider the ease of combining different shades and the versatility of the vest when choosing one. Especially in a busy daily life, it's nice for dressing to be as effortless and easy as possible so that you don't waste unnecessary time in the morning pondering color combinations. Shades of gray, brown, and blue are very easy to combine with many outfits and other colors. Green and red are slightly more personal and colorful hues but still work well with many other colors when appropriately muted. Dark shades are particularly suitable during dark and cold weather, while lighter shades are better for summer when clothing is generally lighter and in paler tones. In any case, a vest always adds a personal touch to the wearer's outfit. 

In winter, a vest is an excellent aid for layering.

There are also vests for various weather conditions and seasons; naturally, those made from thicker wool fabrics are more suitable for winter and provide the wearer with an extra layer of warmth in cold weather. Therefore, a vest is also a great part of stylish layering.

In winter, especially thicker wool fabrics, cotton, and their blends are excellent choices when it comes to vest fabrics. Wool and cotton breathe well, which is very important in layering; the fabric should not be stuffy. A vest warms surprisingly much, so this is a perfect choice for winter clothing. 

Usually in winter, suits or blazers are slightly thicker, perhaps made of a coarser fabric, probably wool. When layering with a vest and blazer, you should choose the vest so that it seamlessly fits into the overall look. Seamlessness here does not mean that the vest should be made of the same fabric as the jacket; for example, with a checkered blazer, it's advisable to choose a solid-colored vest and vice versa. A checkered or herringbone-patterned vest works stylishly with a solid-colored blazer and gives the blazer just the right amount of contrast. 

By following a few simple color combinations, it is infinitely effortless to consistently create functional ensembles. A blue vest with a brown blazer is a beautiful combination that works well for winter dressing; shades of red in the vest add a touch of warmth when combined with other colors; gray is an easy everyday color for a vest and it blends seamlessly with almost all other colors.

In winter, a vest is an excellent alternative to the combination of a blazer and a sweater. By swapping the sweater for a vest, you can achieve a similar level of elegance in your outfits, just with a slightly new twist. Size impressive ensemble can be further completed with accessories, such as a knit tie, which works very stylishly with a vest in winter. If it feels like the vest leaves too much of the dress shirt and collar visible, a tie is a great solution to the problem, and a knit tie is just casual enough for neat everyday wear. Unlike a silk tie, its surface is not as shiny but rather a bit rougher, so the wearer doesn't feel too formal, for example, when going to the office.

In the summer, a vest adds personality to an outfit and also works on its own. 

In summer weather, a vest completes formal attire or adds a fresh twist to more casual outfits. Light, bright, and colorful vests are a part of summer! They wonderfully brighten up both celebrations and everyday life, giving the wearer the opportunity to create personalized ensembles. 

At summer parties, a vest is a stylish choice with a suit or a blazer. With a light summer blazer, the best option is a vest made from thin, smooth wool fabric, linen, or cotton, which is breathable and cool enough when layering clothes in warm weather. A summer vest might have, for example, a silk back fabric with large and colorful patterns. Light colors and beautiful patterns are also suitably light and fresh for a summer celebration. The same basic guidelines apply to combining outfits as with winter versions: a patterned vest with a solid-colored blazer and vice versa. However, summer parties are often a bit more relaxed, and bolder combinations of patterns and colors are encouraged.

The vest works great on warm days even on its own with a collared shirt or even a t-shirt! For a casual celebration  You can very well leave the blazer at home and wear a vest instead; the outfit remains neat and stylish, but the vest is significantly lighter to wear in hot weather. For a stylish casual look, pair the vest and T-shirt with linen trousers or chinos and loafers. 

Details of the Livonian

The various details of vests provide more and more room for personalized dressing and the free creation of unique outfits. Fabrics, cuts, pockets, pocket squares, collars, and so on also greatly determine the purpose or suitability of a vest for different situations.

The fabric and materials of a vest have a significant impact on its comfort and fit, but also on its style and the outfits it best complements. Vests made from lightweight and shiny fabrics like silk or fine wool work exceptionally well for formal wear, while those made from linen blends or thicker wool are perfect for more casual attire. Of course, some vests can adapt wonderfully to both situations, depending on how they are paired with other clothing items.

The double-breasted vest exudes classic gentlemanliness and completes a suit for a celebration or a more casual ensemble. Alternatively, you can create a stylish look by wearing the double-breasted vest on its own with a dress shirt and accessories, without a blazer. 

There are many cuts for vest collars; in one, the cut may be deeper, making the vest less visible when worn under a blazer. A vest can also have collars that add their own look and twist to the ensemble. A collared vest is an excellent choice for formal wear, for example. Ties and even an ascot scarf look particularly good with a collared vest. A unique twist to the vest is given by a front made of two different fabrics, which works well combined with a casual shirt, for instance. 

Vests are usually already well-fitting and slightly narrower in design, but many also feature an adjustable strap or elastic tightening at the back, which provides room or tightening options for the waist as needed.

Different buttons, whether metallic, wooden, or fabric-covered, give each vest its own unique detail, just like the various colors and materials of the fabrics. Sometimes seemingly small things, such as buttons or perhaps a pocket watch chain, create a significant impression in the final result. Details make the vest perfectly personalized for its wearer.

The vests of Saarnin's boutique

The boutique's vest selection is unique, colorful, and comprehensive! There are vests for every occasion and need, whether for festive events, to be worn with a suit, or for everyday use. The selection includes light and colorful vests that work wonderfully in the summer for both celebrations and casual or smart casual dressing.  In the winter collection, you will find woolen vests that keep you warm in cold weather and look stylish.  The stunning Italian fabrics draw attention, timeless patterns, and classic beautiful color combinations bring a gentlemanly elegance and a suitably personal touch to outfits. A structured model combined with high-quality materials is an absolutely sure choice that helps the wearer complete outfit after outfit for years to come.

The small details and careful planning, along with the ingenious combination of increasingly stunning fabrics, have resulted in a unique and magnificent vest collection that you certainly won't find anywhere else!

A large part of the vests are also specially designed and tailored for us down to every detail, so these vests truly represent us and also give our customers the opportunity for personalized dressing.

Check out the boutique vests