How to style a denim vest? 25+ denim vest outfits for men.

Published by Naz Pestonjee on August 18, 2023August 18, 2023

You can’t be more wrong if you think that the sleeveless denim jacket is a thing of the past. It certainly isn’t just another rusty relic of grunge fashion of the 90s either. A denim vest is an evergreen badass wardrobe piece loved by denim lovers of all ages with a taste for the vintage and the timeless. True, it’s not as mainstream and as versatile as a suit vest or a puffer vest, but a Jean vest has its own stylish appeal. It’s stylish in its own unique way in casual and street-style settings. This rundown of 25 denim vest outfits for guys will give you a reason to give this sleeveless jean jacket a try this spring. But before moving on to our list of denim vest outfit ideas let’s first have a look at this short and sweet style guide on how to style a denim vest.

How to style a denim vest?

A denim vest is casual, suitable for spring and summer, and for fall with layers like hoodies and sweatshirts. The most popular way guys wear it is with a pair of matching jeans, the iconic double denim look. A denim vest is often preferred plain and blue, but there are other hues like grey and black that you can rock. There are studded and embroidered versions loved by guys who prefer to add a grunge touch to their denim vest outfits. Apart from jeans, you can try a jean vest with chinos, joggers, and shorts. And if you are one of those hardcore denim aficionados, try this vest over a denim shirt and team this with blue jeans for a bold and brilliant triple denim outfit.

What do men wear under a denim vest?:

If you are a guy who’s never worn this sleeveless jacket, layering a basic tee under the denim vest is a safe bet. A neutral tee, in white, black, or any solid color will look great with a blue denim vest. You can wear the denim vest over a tank top or an undershirt if you feel confident to show off your arm muscles, for a bold summer look. Wearing it over a casual button-down, a short sleeve polo shirt is a great idea to add a cool flare to a denim vest outfit. Sweatshirts and hoodies can be layered under a sleeveless Jean jacket for a stylish early-fall look. To sum it up, a denim vest will look great with any of these tops, the basic tee or tank top, a sweatshirt, a polo, a mock neck, and a hoodie.

What looks good with a denim vest?

When in doubt, layer hoodies or tees in neutral and basic colors like black and white and then match the shoes and the layering piece. Mixing and matching can make or break your outfits, neutrals make the job easy but this doesn’t mean you can’t opt for colors. A pop of color in the form of a colored shirt, headwear piece, or bandana will always be a welcome addition to your outfit. Denim vests outfits are casual, relaxed, and chic all at the same time. You can always count on accessories to flare up this chic casual look, and you can use any accessory under the sun to elevate your style. Think about introducing any of these accessories like a quirky pair of sunnies, a cool baseball cap, a bandana, or a wristwatch to kick your swag up a notch instantly.

Dos and don’ts of wearing a denim vest:

Don’t use a denim vest for formal outfits, and don’t use it for your office because it’s just not made for formal wear.
As a starting point go for a vest that fits you just right. Oversized or too-short denim vests are not for everyone.
When using a denim vest over a denim shirt and jeans (the triple denim look), avoid a monochromatic look. Use at least two different shades by keeping one of the three items a bit different in color.
Don’t tuck in a denim vest and avoid fastening all of the buttons, the topmost buttons should be kept unbuttoned.

25 denim vest outfit ideas for guys.

Outfit # 1: Over a hoodie with sweatpants.

Outfit # 2: Over a sweatshirt.

Outfit # 3: With hoodie outfits.

Hoodies are the most ubiquitous item in men’s casual fashion. You can style a denim vest as a part of a casual hoodie outfit. A black hoodie works perfectly with a blue denim vest, with whatever bottoms you opt for.