Step up your three-piece game by swapping your vests for some wool

The beautiful thing about winter is the countless amount of combinations in layering. This is possibly the best time of the year for men’s fashion, giving all those stylish women a run for their money. A new season also requires slight adjustments to your wardrobe. One of the most attractive alterations you can make to a traditional three-piece suit is swapping out the vest for some quality knitwear.

Ground rules

The best thing about this winter trend is that you really don’t have to buy a new suit. However, a full-canvas, bespoke suit can’t be replaced for one off the rack. In other words, make sure the entire outfit is a snug fit.

Vintage V-neck

The first of our options is a look taken straight out of the suave streets of the 70s. These loud, light-weight, V-neck sweaters will deliver a punch of colour and life to a uniform look. It should be noted that not all of these selected sweaters will work well with tailoring. These are usually chosen for casual to sometimes semi-formal occasions. Since we’re looking to replace the usual shirt and tie combo, this will work just fine for the office or an evening get-together at a friend’s house.

If you’re looking to find these wonderful throwbacks, try rummaging through your father’s closet or hit up nearby smaller shops. It’s fascinating what you can find in non-branded stores. If you’ve got the right eye for it, you’ll make your choice work with your suit.

A sophisticated knit

This, by far, is the classiest of the lot. A minimalistic, turtleneck sweater can take you from a stereotypical henchman to a soiree as Bond himself. Not only will it feel comfortable during the winter, it’ll actually enhance your tailored suit. The best way to pull this one off is keeping things monochromatic for a more streamline aesthetic. The sweater needs to be a shade or two off from the colour of your suit.

Nowadays you’ll see plenty of mock-necks working themselves into this season’s wardrobe, but you can always remain safe by sticking to the classic fold-over turtleneck.

Centrepiece

The old-world, classy gentleman is a little harder to pull off. But if done correctly, you’ll stay within your limits, without going overboard. If you can tell the difference between your windowpanes and shepherd’s checks, reach out for a sweater with some texture or pattern. This is where the suit works around the sweater itself. Take, for example, a solid-brown cable-knitted sweater covered in a light brown or tan windowpane, tailored suit. The same goes for a multi-coloured, pattern sweater. However, this time, you can accommodate this style of sweater with a checked suit jacket or blazer and dark-wash dressy jeans.

Either way works, and you can even dare to put on a tie underneath the layers of a v-neck, patterned sweater. The frame above the V-neck has to be wide enough for your tie to shine.

The takeaway

The entire goal here is to look as stylish as possible, without compromising on functionality. We want to stay warm while looking cool. This new substitute to the shirt and tie also makes you look party ready. Do your duty, fill out the office hours, and hit up the hotspot with your friends and colleagues afterward in the latest three-piece suit combo.