Today's post features the fourth garment in my wardrobe that dates from 2015: a cream cardigan vest that has reached my under $1 cost per wear (CPW) goal but is still 5 wears short of my 30 wears target. This vest has a bit of a strange history: I purchased it online, and they sent it to me in one size smaller than I'd ordered, but it fit okay so I didn't worry about. I don't think I ever would have expected that almost 8 and a half years and {mumble} pounds later, I'd still be wearing this size Large vest. You'll see in the photo that it was sold as a wrap-over vest with a front toggle closure, but I always preferred wearing it open (and I eventually just removed the toggle). I like the "patchwork" nature of the knit with the areas of various types of stitching that adds interesting texture to the piece. It's made from 60% cotton/40% acrylic, so in my climate, this vest is a wonderful layering piece for fall and spring (not warm enough for true winter weather because I wear it over lighter weight tops).
Let's review some of the ways I've worn this vest since 2017. (With 25 wears of this vest, this is turning into a bit of a "25 Wears" post, haha.)
Grey top, dark purple skirt, grey boots, and a neutral print scarf.
Dark green blouse, blue denim skirt, grey boots, and a bridge piece print scarf.
Print blouse, grey skirt, maroon boots, and a whimsical charm necklace.
Denim blue knit top, green pants, light grey wedges, and a brightly colored print scarf.
Striped top, burgundy jeans, burgundy flats, and a crystal statement necklace.
Striped top, dark wash jeans, navy flats, and a multi-colored print scarf.
Now for the Pleasing Pairing: I just really like wearing the cream vest over my cream/dark green rabbit blouse from Loft {30 Wears post}! I've worn this blouse + vest pairing with...
Denim skirt, black boots, and classic pearls.
Denim skirt, burgundy boots, and a multi-colored crystal statement necklace.
Burgundy jeans, maroon flats, and a multi-strand pearl/chain necklace.
Teal pencil skirt, black mary janes, and the multi-color crystal statement necklace again (I do like that necklace with this blouse).
Green pants, blue/green floral loafers, and the multi-strand pearl/chain necklace (another favorite necklace with the blouse).
And finally, a teal floral skirt, black boots, and teal scarf (print mixed).
It's been about 15 months since I've worn the vest, and I know why: in late 2019, I bought 3 new cardigan vests in dark blue, dark grey, and burgundy, and I have been wearing the newer vests more often and my older vest less often. But I like the combination with the rabbit blouse well enough that this pairing alone justifies keeping the cream vest in my wardrobe (for now).
For serious winter weather, a knit vest just doesn't cut it for me. I need something more like a quilted/puffy vest that is warmer and can be layered over sweaters that cover my arms and torso...like the wooly fur of this rabbit covers her entire body. She's even got tufts of wooly fur on her ears; talk about ready for the cold weather!
I am happy to report that the weather here in St Paul has been nice by Minnesota standards lately, with highs in the high 40s/low 50s F. The average high temperature in the first half of February is below freezing, and that first week of February can be a real doozy. I like cold weather, but I'm definitely not complaining that we're having a gentle winter this year.
Do you have any sweater vests (cardigan style or pullover style) in your wardrobe? Do you have any favorite top + topper combinations that you wear again and again?
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