While Nineties snooker players might have previously come to mind when considering a waistcoat, the style set quickly subscribed to it as the top du jour last summer, and the tailoring staple is now a fashion mainstay. Seen everywhere from the Cannes red carpet to the catwalk, many famous faces now favour the waistcoat in its variety of guises.
Alexa Chung wore Ralph Lauren for a cameo at Wimbledon, looking summer ready in a smart all-white shorts suit with a waistcoat, while Meghan, Duchess of Sussex recently chose a navy three-piece suit with a waistcoat from Ralph Lauren Collection to record Emma Grede's podcast Aspire.
Sydney Sweeney has embraced the waistcoat since 2023, first seen in a silver sequinned version paired with matching trousers and then choosing a nautical-inspired look for an appearance on Good Morning America this June, teaming her waistcoat with a pleated mini skirt from Coperni worn with knee-high leather boots, McQueen sunglasses and a Miu Miu handbag.
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Bella Hadid has been a long term fan of the tailoring staple, showing its versatility first with a micro version on a trip to Paris then wearing a knitted style with a white tee, leather trousers, socks and heeled loafers photographed in New York during the winter.
Miley Cyrus recently added edge with a leather Chanel version worn for the brand's Tribeca Festival Women's Luncheon in NYC, while Kendall Jenner chose a smart grey fit worn with navy tailored trousers and flat sandals in Los Angeles.
Traditionally worn within a three-piece suit, waistcoats are now a staple in their own right. Too warm for a blazer or blouse but too casual to wear a cotton tee? Choose a waistcoat. Pair with workwear separates such as a satin skirt or tailored linen trousers, and denim or shorts for the weekend. Throwback to noughties boho and wear with a maxi skirt à la Kate Moss and Sienna Miller during festival season.
The best property of a waistcoat is its versatility. Look smart and choose a structured fit in a slim cut, or keep it breezy in warm weather wearing a looser cotton or linen variety. When considering a shade and pattern, a neutral colourway such as grey, navy, pale blue or beige won't date, likewise pinstripes or polka dots.
Below, our edit of the best waistcoats that will look sharp for this season and beyond.
12 Best Summer Waistcoats
Reiss Millie Single-Breasted Tailored Waistcoat
& Other Stories Tailored Wool Waistcoat
Cos Linen-Blend Tie-Front Waistcoat
H&M Twill Waistcoat
M&S Autograph Linen Blend Tie Fastening Waistcoat
Mango Linen-Blend Suit Waistcoat
Mango Denim-Effect Lyocell Waistcoat
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Esther Coombes is the Senior Ecommerce Editor at Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE and Esquire, overseeing luxury shopping content across fashion, beauty, travel and homes. She graduated from London College of Fashion with a First Class BA in Fashion Journalism in 2010, and has since worked at Marie-Claire, Easy Living, GLAMOUR and Women’s Health.
She held positions as Senior Fashion and Beauty Executive, Senior Lifestyle Executive and Content Lead during her nine years at HELLO! and HELLO! Fashion, creating editorial and branded content across the lifestyle sector and interviewing talent and experts including Lisa Eldridge, Jo Malone and Katie Jane Hughes for print and digital features.
With exacting standards and a critical eye for editing new launches, she enjoys recommending readers best in class products and experiences, be that a glow-giving skin tint, a boutique hotel stay or the perfect slingback stiletto.
In her spare time you can find her at a spin or reformer class or streaming the latest zeitgeisty podcast or television drama. You can follow Esther on Instagram at @esthercoombes.
