It’s all about vests this fall, and that includes fur. Works for me! Los Angeles isn’t exactly the Tundra, so if I’m wearing any fur around the neighborhood, it’s going to be in sleeveless form. Credit fellow L.A. woman Rachel Zoe. Thanks to her dedication to the versatile garment, the fur vest is a staple, to be worn with pants skinny or belled (as long as they are tight at the hips) and heels chunky or slender.
Here’s a breakdown of fantasy versus frugal options, as fur vests, faux or genuine, can swing from supremely lush to trendy and guilt-free.
Leave it to Maison Martin Margiela to create an avant-garde shrug – Mongolian goat hair is cute and cropped in the back, long and draped down the bodice – for a piece that’s more of a collar than anything else. I love that it this is a powerful layer that still enables what you wear underneath it to play a big part in your ensemble. Or go for Joie‘s Tibetan lamb vest, a similar curly sheep look for half the price. It’s a traditional cut that’s symmetrical all the way around, but it still possesses the bohemian fabulousness of Margiela’s tuft of fluff.
Of course, Rachel Zoe is represented. The stylist-turned-designer serves up funky, ombre faux fur that’s reminiscent of raccoon. Elongated with leather trim, it achieves decadent glamour right out of the seventies and looks as cozy as its pricier counterparts. And seriously, even if your wear it twice, you’re getting a bargain at this kind of price.
On the flipside, although The Row‘s vest is the most expensive, it’s also the easiest to coordinate with the rest of your fall wardrobe. A fluffy fox fur front and a cashmere blend back, in matching golden camel, creates a balanced silhouette. It’s not so puffy that you need to go on a diet prior to wearing, which is good because with fur this luscious, you’ll have a hard time taking it off.
Maison Martin Margiela Mongolian Fur Vest on Ssense
Joie “Jaliah” Tibetan Lamb Vest at Saks Fifth Avenue for $628.
Rachel Zoe “Marianne” Faux Fur Vest at Saks Fifth Avenue for $225.
The Row “Vesper” Vest at Barneys New York for $5,250.