Even if there’s still a chill in the air and rain in the forecast (April showers bring May flowers, after all!), I’m fully leaning into my spring wardrobe—no hesitation. Sure, this in-between season can be unpredictable, but I’m not letting it push me back into cold-weather clothes anytime soon. (October is the absolute earliest.)
One item we're preparing to pull out of our wardrobes, ready for a spring debut, is a waistcoat. Calling this a big breakout trend of the past couple of years is something of an understatement, as the look has repeatedly dominated amongst the street style set as soon as the sun comes out. Whether worn as part of a slouchy three-piece suit for a fashion-forward take on workwear, with denim for an elevated jeans-and-a-nice-top ensemble, or even paired with a floaty midi skirt, a waistcoat has firmly earned its status as a spring staple—not just a fleeting fad.
As the waistcoat has continued to feature in high street edits, the design has naturally evolved. Classic V-neck cuts have led to round high-neck styles, the traditional button-down silhouette has been updated with asymmetric fastenings, and almost any fabric you can think of has likely been crafted into a waistcoat by one brand or another.
Whether you want to expand your collection with a new on-trend waistcoat for spring, or you're shopping for your first foray into the look, you can't go wrong with the Old Navy Sleeveless Button-Down Top. In a seasonally-appropriate, pretty pale blue pastel colorway, the design features a sleek concealed closure with a sweet square neckline that's mirrored in the sculpted cut-out at the hem. The result? Sophisticated tailoring without the price tag to match, as this beauty is currently 50% off and is $14.99!
Shop some of our other favorite waistcoats below, from classic styles to more elevated designs:
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
