Kate Middleton Just Wore A Sweater Vest, And Now We Want One

Once loved by geography teachers and librarians, the sweater vest might not have started out with impeccable fashion credentials. But cut to 2023 and everyone seems to have embraced the sleeveless knitwear style.

In theory, it's rather unappealing. We only need look, however, to the women who have managed to make them look effortlessly cool to be convinced that a sweater vest is a very good idea. Now, Kate Middleton is among the women making sweater vests cool again, after stepping out in a grey knit sweater vest with a long-sleeve white shirt layered underneath. The royal paired it with a pair of Sezane Martin Trousers and some ballet pumps for an effortlessly sophisticated look.

Elsewhere, Hailey Bieber, watched her husband's latest show in a cropped sweater vest by FILA, no less, and low-slung cargo pants, taking the once stuffy sweater vest to a whole new level.

Over on the spring catwalks, we were treated to some high-fashion knitted vests, justifying their spot in the style stakes. Molly Goddard's tangerine striped knit was worn on the baggy side over billowing maxi skirts. Philosophy's offering was tight, cropped and came with matching knitted trousers for good measure. Ferragamo's sweater vests were more demure; plain black knits layered over crisp white shirts.

And next season, the sweater vest's popularity still won't have waned. We've already seen brands bringing back the knit for another round. Max Mara, Missoni and Rejina Pyo all offered up some super slouchy sleeveless sweaters, either worn over bare arms or neatly over shirts and long-sleeved tops.

Browse our edit of the best sweater vests out there right now...

SHOP: The Best Sweater Vests