A fishing vest or utility vest is a really useful piece of clothing when the weather is warm, and it doesn’t have to be as weird as you might think.
I’ve learned this firsthand over the past few years while wearing this very simple vintage vest from LL Bean, pictured here. I was a little unsure at first. Mostly because I saw such people wearing these shoes. Jamie Ferguson or James Harvey-KellyBoth photographers wear them often when shooting.
But how unique it looks depends a lot on the style of the vest and what else you’re wearing.
Vest styles range widely between fussy and very simple. Fishing models in particular often have dozens of pockets, some of which are unrealistically small, and have something like a fluffy piece of wool on the chest to hold bait or flies.
Hunting vests are often simpler, with fewer, larger pockets in the front, but they also have unusual features, such as a very large pocket in the back for the bird you just shot. The simplest models are often referred to as the more common ‘utility’ vests.
Another important way vests vary is the collar.
Many traditional vests were worn with collared shirts and could be expected to fit under a larger jacket. Therefore, like a waistcoat, it had no collar at all.
The problem is that it doesn’t stand out that much on many guys who just wear a t-shirt underneath. Wear a low-collared crewneck over a t-shirt. I definitely do.
That’s why I like collars. I like a full collar like the vest in my picture, or a collar with a small crescent moon shape on the back like the picture below. It’s a small addition, but it makes a big difference in the way it looks with your t-shirt.
Now how to wear it. The fishing/utility vest is a bit unusual. Maybe it’s very traditional, maybe it’s something that’s used on small streets these days. But whether you wear it with a flannel shirt and cords or a skate tee and cargo pants will have a lot of impact.
Or just a plain t-shirt and jeans like here.
Still, black jeans and cordovan loafers look different than jeans and boat shoes, as are the two outfits I’m wearing. I wear both, but black jeans will always look a little more modern, a little more urban (below).
There is a tendency among men to look at one piece of clothing in isolation rather than considering its context. This has to do with the urge to copy an entire outfit from a lookbook rather than just taking one or two elements.
I know people do this because it’s simpler and more predictable, but I like to encourage them to have a little fun and experiment. Most personal style comes from this kind of experimentation.
The least that needs to be said about utility vests is how practical they are.
Even a simple style like mine has 15 pockets, two with zippers. You can carry your phone, wallet, headphones, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, pen, keys, etc. and still have 7 pockets left.
They are also cooler than full jackets and are often made cooler using vents, mesh, or similar ventilation mechanisms. Very useful. That’s why older people like them.
great. Let’s say I’ve convinced you of the style and practicality of one of these. Or at least buy a cheap used one and give it a try. Which one will you get?
First of all, I’d like to suggest some tips on things to consider.
- Based on the example above, think about how much detail and color you want.
- Take a close look at the chest and length measurements. The practicality of a vest means that it can be quite wide or very short. If it’s wide, it helps to be able to tighten it up.
- In my opinion, cotton is better than synthetic materials. That’s because vests look especially great as they age and don’t require particularly light or quick-drying fabrics.
- When in doubt, go with simpler colors. This includes beige, which is described as the simplest color. Dark colors like navy or black may seem easier, but this should be the default for summer.
There are plenty of modern versions, from classic menswear brands to more streetwear-oriented brands. unification For example, it performs as high quality as expected. Drake’s Introducing the ‘Safari Vest’ in an unusual color. Sir PlusOn the cheaper end, wear a very cool utility vest. barber There are always a few.
From a more fashion perspective ALD We’ve done some interesting work in recent years and now have an interesting Madras version. kenzo There’s a pretty cool ‘workwear gilet’ Universal Works Great for easy and simple designs.
The best ones are usually vintage ones on eBay, like LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, etc. They are inexpensive, long-lasting, and often already have good properties.
When searching on eBay, use broad terms, search patiently, and look internationally. For example, there is a lot more in the United States than anywhere else.
Sellers may not always know what they have, so it’s useful to try as many keywords as possible. We use commas within parentheses to act as ‘or’. For example, “(fishing, hunting, utility) vest” will display a list of vests that also contain one of those keywords.
For brands, look for brands like LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, Columbia, or Orvis. Despite being quite trendy, old vests still remain a niche market, so unlike vintage denim or military jackets, they are often in stock and affordable. More fashion brands like Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger also have good products but are less reliable.
A few things we found today:
