Polo Fair Island Vest

Seeing Simon's socks yesterday jogged my memory a bit and I remembered this vest I saw at Polo the other day. It's my favourite piece of Fair Island pattern that I've seen this season. Despite being much maligned for their inherently preppy look, the sweater vest is still an underrated and useful garment in the fall for any style. A nice earthy Fair Isle pattern is a bit more off-key on it's own (not a bad thing by any means) or it plays as a nice layer to break up similar or matching tones. I always preferred vests for this as they don't get too hot or uncomfortable. Being a super soft cashmere cotton blend doesn't hurt either (the skin or the wallet). I don't want to get my grandpa look on too badly though so I'd leave the green cords behind for some navy chinos or denim. I'm definitely not ruling out a tie though.

Comments

[christopher]

is fashion having a john hughes memorial moment? i have this sneaking feeling that cropped from that picture will be michael schoeffling's head.

[Jack]

I don't think I could ever get away with a sweater vest, let alone a fair isle one. I think with the outfit above it seems to work in an odd way. I would never think to mix green cords with a blue oxford, maroon tie and a patterned multicolored sweater vest but maybe I'm just not creative enough.

[jfox]

hate to post this twice, but man, that Fair Isle is a remote little place..more @ http://10engines.blogspot.com/2009/08/fair-isle.html

[angelo]

I've got a vest very similar to this. It's got great fit and great warmth, on a winter day you can throw it over your oxford/tie and be fine. Multi-color print allows you to pick one of the colors and play it up as your tie/sock/whatever color. Great piece any way you swing it.

[F.E. Castleberry]

Totally agree...keep it updated and younger by subbing the green cords for navy chinos. The Fair Isle is a prep staple piece though...yet has tremendous crossover appeal.