VANESSA DIMAGGIO, Avenue Writer
They've been the fashion staple of the cowboy, the librarian and the Renaissance man. Now, vests are not only crossing the gender boundary, but they've also taken over runway shows and retail stores.
They have long been a necessity in every man's closet, but now there are some eclectic new ways to reinvent the old style.
The first is what I like to refer to as the "reverse two-piece suit."
You may have seen this look on the likes of Justin Timberlake. Sporting a vest with a matching pair of slacks, a crisp button-down shirt and tie is a throwback to the newsroom style of the Roaring '20s. Ditching the jacket brings the look into the 21st century.
Another popular look for men is the V-neck cardigan vest. Worn over a distressed T-shirt with jeans, either open or buttoned up, this look has a certain indie-rock charm to it.
And last but not least, the fashion piece in every bibliophile and high school English teacher's closet: the sweater vest. Don't knock it until you've tried it, fellas.
The sweater vest has lost its geeky reputation and become one of the best menswear trends for spring.
For a casual look, pair it with a T-shirt, but for that oh-so-studious look, try wearing it over a cotton button-down with some nice khaki or twill pants.
This trend is no longer off limits to the ladies either. In fact, menswear is making a splash in women's fashion. Everything from oxford lace-ups to newsboy caps can be found among the ranks of menswear trends for women, and the vest is the most versatile piece from this collection.
For girls, it's the halter vest and the racerback vest in denim, cotton or pinstripe. These are significantly skimpier than the men's versions. Wearing it over a long tank or plain white T-shirt keeps the trend feminine but edgy at the same time.
Man or woman, geek or a rock star, you can't go wrong with a vest.
