 | Vests – don’t call it a comebackBy Grace Abounding |
I’m not the most fashion conscious person in the world and I make no apology for the things that I wear. My typical work attire consists of black, gray or khaki pants with solid (and an occasional striped) shirt with black or brown shoes. It’s easy, requires no real thought, and honestly I’m not trying to impress eight year olds. I drive my own car and have a dog. They are thoroughly impressed, and that’s good enough for me.
Today at a staff meeting I was struck by something I was not expecting and feel that I have missed a major fashion memo. I’m talking about the humble vest. I LOVE a vest. I love a vest paired with a crisp pressed shirt and a well-tied tie. I love a vest with nothing else. I look damn good in a vest if I do say so myself and my girlfriend has no complaints. As much as I love a vest, I’m forced to restrain myself at work. No vests. No ties. However now I am offended that I have missed this fashion memo, I feel that I should have been on an e-mail list to all the queer teachers. This is all I needed to avoid several awkward moments:
Attention: Straight women will now be wearing vests to work. While they look fabulous and hot, this does not give you permission to ogle them-especially at staff meetings or in the hallways. In addition, this is not outing those women you have been staring at wondering about their sexuality. They are still straight with an unfortunate haircut and following current fashion trends. If you shopped at women’s clothing store you would be up to date on this fashion trend. This does give you temporary permission to wear vests and ties to work, however do not spend the time making a perfect Pratt knot as no one will notice.
If I had received an e-mail similar to this it would have helped a lot today. I had giddy gut reaction that many of my are-they-or-aren’t-they co-workers had finally come out for National Coming Out Day. Then I remembered their boyfriends/husbands and was still the only homo at work. I ask you readers, are vests back? Did they ever really leave? I live and work in a conservative small town so maybe vests are just making their way here. Either way, I’m sure you can guess what I’m rocking out at work tomorrow!
Receive blog posts by email
October 14th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I didn’t know vests had come back either because I’m not a shopper. My mother bought a really cool vest for me last week, and I was kind of afraid to wear it . I wore it to work yesterday. I loved it.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I will agree — the vest is making a definite comeback this season. It was starting to move into stores last year, but it’s stuck around for the 2009-2010 stretch at least. I’m with you on this one, Grace Abounding — I’ve made a few errors of my own when it comes to judging a lady’s orientation based on the vest. I can’t help it, it’s a gorgeous look for women. And hey, if the straight gals are embracing it, I’m all for it! But as a marker of the queer girl in the crowd, well, it looks like it’s going to be a little tricky for this season at least.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Well, I’m a femme but I do like some masculine clothing
hehe, so I wear vests frequently, AND shop frequently. Love vests, they’re stylish, fun etc etc And sexy.
My non-vest-wearing and very fashion forward, hetero sister rang me last week “I just found the perfect vest for you!” So if she’s shopping for vests, then they must be back in.
This post was awesome!
October 15th, 2009 at 12:01 am
For my age group (18-early 20′s) vests have been in since at least last summer, but more in a casual look- paired with v-necks on guys and girls. I think it’s a newer thing for the workplace, but now that it’s back I’d say go nuts with with it!
October 15th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Oh how I love vests! I haven’t worn one in awhile but will have to reconsider.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I was under the impression that the vest trend was well established by now, but either it’s a continental difference or I wasn’t as far under my rock as Ms. Abounding.
Slightly off topic, but may I ask if you’re out at work? I’m a student-teacher and I’m still not sure how I should approach the whole out-at-work thing once I’ve qualified.
October 19th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Jules-I’m not out at work because in the state where I live they can fire me. If you live in an area where your job would not be in jeopardy, I would encourage you to be out. It’s really hard not talking about my life with co-workers and playing the pronoun game.
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:22 am
I’m a teacher in Amsterdam, Holland. And vests are definitely back in fashion over here. I’ve been wearing one of my eight vests each at least one day of the week, thinking it would out me. And still I had to come out to the rest of my teachers because they didn’t have a clue. Even my fellow gay and lesbian teachers didn’t get it. So yeah it’s gone mainstream…
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Great post. Vests are the one thing both my wife and I can wear and still look like ourselves…She wears mostly men’s clothing and I wear mostly women’s. Vests are amazing like that!
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:10 pm
I think vests are going out of style actually
They were in, in Europe 2 years ago, and they even made it to Iowa last year.
So maybe they have a year left, if you look really really good in them.