Worn over shirts or under blazers, with jeans, shorts or skirts, this tailoring essential borrowed from the boys was one piece of relaxed workwear that always meant business, and we couldn’t get enough of them.

These days, not much has changed. No less than three waistcoats have been purchased in the last month: one beige, one black, and one baby blue, thank you. And that’s because this one item of clothing easily adds a depth of formality or sexiness to any outfit, depending on how you style it. Team it with tailored trousers and a block heel for effortless back-to-the-office attire, wear with high-waisted jeans and platforms for the perfect after-work outfit. Or channel Kate Moss in the early 2000s and wear one with just about everything – she wore them so often there’s an entire Pinterest board dedicated to her waistcoat looks.

Right now, neutral colours are the chicest choice. On the streets of this season’s Copenhagen Fashion Week, stylish show-goers couldn’t get enough of the waistcoat and we saw relaxed, single-breasted silhouettes and vests in muted colours of beige, cream and sand. Opt for a wider silhouette on the bottom half for a fresher take, and style up or down with pointed heels or trainers.

Saint Laurent and Dior were two designer brands to re-show the waistcoat during their 2020 and 2021 shows, prompting contemporary and highstreet names to quickly follow suit. We recommend checking out the waistcoats from Alex Mill, Federica Tosi, Anine Bing and Aussie brand Dissh. For something more budget friendly, Zara, COS and Witchery are your go-tos. Here are some of our favourites…