Women’s casual button up vests are one of our best selling items currently, and I can see why. They’re unique tops that capture the current fashion mood, combining a menswear look with relaxed styling. These are great for spring/summer, and I also see them being a staple into fall as well, especially in heavier fabrics, over long sleeve shirts, or under jackets.
I'm Sun & Sanctuary's designer, Raeha Bashyam. Let's take a look at how I designed our vests for the perfect fit, and my favorite ways to wear them for 2025 fashion.
Behind the Design: Women's Vests
For Sun & Sanctuary’s take on the vest, I wanted to give it a more feminine shape than other versions I’ve seen. I also wanted to include the clean, thoughtful tailoring that I admire in formal menswear.
Feminine Shape: Our vest has a shorter crop, making it sit perfectly with a high waist trouser or skirt. This, along with the slim cut and deep v-neck, gives your figure a beautiful hourglass shape. Much of women’s current fashion is oversized, but this isn’t a look that I’m personally super into wearing. I love my curves and my fashion design seeks to celebrate them.
Thoughtful Tailoring: I love browsing the bespoke suit shops on London’s Savile Row. Their dedication to high quality tailoring is what makes their suits some of the most famous in the world. Classic tailoring is more rare today because it takes more time. So many clothes are carelessly massproduced. With this vest, I wanted to bring some of those thoughtful touches back. Each Sausalito vest is handmade in California. They feature gentle curves, princess seams, and natural shell buttons for an elegant look.
Women's Vest Outfit Inspo
I’ve been having a lot of fun building all kinds of outfits with the solid print version of our vests, in sage green and sand. Here are some favs to give you ideas on how you can wear your own vests.
1. Boho with the Flow
You ever put on an outfit and it just makes you smile? This was that fit for me! The green vest complimented the flowing leaf print in our Palisades skirt so well. For a boho touch, layer a lacey bralette underneath. I’m wearing Cosabella’s Curvy Longline Bralette, which I emphatically recommend for anyone with a large bust and small rib cage. They also make a standard size version. These fit PERFECTLY under this vest.
Shop This Look:
Boho Style
Shop the Accessories
2. The Beachcomber
This outfit would work with wide leg denim jeans just as well as it does with shorts, depending on the weather. Once again, I paired a white lace bralette underneath. Adding our matching Saint-Tropez Button Up shirt over the vest plays with the menswear inspired look while keeping it casual and coastal.
In This Fit:
Shop Accessories
Complete the Look
3. Western Boho
I got a little creative with this one and came up with a look that I love! I paired some western style wide leg jeans with our Zephyr Super Crop Top. I love a high waist jean with a tiny little shirt, but sometimes I feel too exposed. Tossing our matching sage green vest over the crop top created an unexpectedly cool, boho-western feel. The added bandana made it more fun, but if you’re feeling a little more low-key, this outfit is cute with layered necklaces instead.
In This Fit:
- The Zephyr Crop Top in Sage
- The Sausalito Vest in Sage
- We the Free Slouchy Old West Jeans (Out of Stock, sadly. I love these!)
- The Celia Strappy Sandal
- The Quindio Bandana
- Forgot to add a bag, but if I did, it’d be this one!
Boho Accessories
Complete the Look
4. You-calyptus
Just gonna apologize now for my corny outfit naming, haha. With this look I wanted to create a soft, warm toned color palette with these olive green pants that I thrifted from Faherty’s Second Wave. The color looks beautiful with our vest in Sand. Add some slides for a look that’s casual but still stylish. In case you’re wondering, I’m wearing the Lululemon Align V-neck Bralette underneath. It fits so perfectly underneath this vest, it’s crazy.
Shop the Look:
Boho Accessories
Complete the Look
5. Sage Power Suit
Combining our Menton Trouser and matching Valparaiso Blazer is always a stunning look… please ignore the fact that I have yet to get mine tailored! I’ve been wearing it out with very high heels, haha. I designed a lot of matching tops for this set, depending on your fancy. We've got a green crop top, tank, and long sleeve button up. I wanted a relaxed, menswear inspired look, and it's still hot out, so I paired it with our vest. This set always gets me compliments!
Shop the Look:
Boho Jewelry
Add Sparkle
6. Prep School
Before I showed you a coastal look with shorts. Tweeking the styling gives it a preppy look, thanks to tailored linen shorts and a high ponytail, held with our scarf scrunchie.
Shop the Look:
- Reformation Linen Shorts (pretty sure it’s these ones)
- The Sausalito Vest in Sage
- Cosabella Plungie Longline Lace Bralette
- The Celia Strappy Sandal
- Lemons & Cockatoos Tote
- Lemons & Cockatoos Scarf Scrunchie
Make it a Set
Matching Accessories
7. Boho with the Flow #2
I know, this is kind of a copy of the first look, but I wanted to show how versatile you can get with a silhouette you like just by changing the colors, print, and some accessories. I feel that finding a shape I feel and look good in can be the most challenging part of dressing. If you find a look that you love, just try tweaking it to find lots of beautiful outfits.
Shop the Look:
The Best Vest
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