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 Brooke’s brown faux fur vest ($69.95, H&M). |
Shaggy, faux fur and loopy knit vests are easy-to-wear, runway-inspired pieces that can add a touch of whimsy to everyday wardrobe classics and basics, such as jeans.
"The shaggy vest is the fun, trendy item of the season and is surprisingly versatile," says Lindy Omassi, a Smart Set spokespman. "Wear it over a basic turtleneck sweater, paired with jeans and boots, for a cosy layered look on cool days."
Fluffy and furry vests also look great casually tossed over knee-length dresses and tunics. Add tights or leggings and a pair of chunky motorcycle boots, and you've created a modern hybrid of style that references both the 1970s and 1980s.
Shaggy vests can be both casual and dramatic, and generally look best paired with plainer garments that strike the right balance.
"The furry vest can be overwhelming when worn with the wrong proportions so it's important to keep the look simple and to make the vest the main focus of your outfit," says Stephanie Hault, a spokesman for Trustfund boutique in Ottawa.
"Wear furry vests with a long shirt, skinny jeans and ankle boots. It should definitely be worn with skinny or straight-leg jeans, rather than boot-cut or flared styles so as to avoid a costumey, '70s look," adds Hault.
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Woolly variations on the shaggy look can vary from large loopy yarns to the curli-cue locks of Mongolian lamb. The shaggy look of unsheared fur appears most often in faux fur toppers, but some are also fashioned from plush to create a super soft, sheared fur-like texture and appearance.
Hip-length vests are the most frequent expression of the trend, although lengths that stop at mid-thigh and abbreviated boleros are also popular. Plush bolero-style jackets with short sleeves are a related option.
Longer vests and furry jackets may also be reined in with a belt for sleeker effects.
As shaggy vests and toppers make strong textural statements, they appear most often in neutral and understated shades of black, grey, brown, camel and rust.
While some faux fur vests can almost be mistaken for real fur, other variations may bear a tongue-in-cheek resemblance to a certain '70s-style of carpet.
"I like the look of shaggy vests because no animal had to give up its life for it. Wear one with fall's must-have, over-the-knee boot and you have yourself a great modern twist to the '70s style shaggy vest," says Toronto-based fashion designer Jason Meyers.
If furry and shaggy vests aren't quite your style, you can still get in on the trend by wearing other stylish furry items, such as a fur-trimmed cardigan or jacket. Furry accessories such as plush scarves, faux fur hats and bags are among the other ways to go in style.
HEATHER.TOSKAN@SUNMEDIA.CA