After I saw Inception for the first time, I left the theater with three existential questions racing through my head:
- What if reality as we know it is actually a dream world?
- Did Leonardo DiCaprio’s character ever really wake up?
- Why don’t more men wear vests?
The third one has weighed most heavily on my mind in recent weeks …As evidenced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s “Inception” wardrobe, men’s vests look sleek and masculine and timeless. And yeah, Joseph Gordon-Levitt could drape himself in unwashed skunk skins and he would probably still look sleek and masculine and timeless, but trust me: the button-up vest is an especially good look.
Fitted vests are sexy because they highlight a man’s waist and shoulders. They elevate a casual wardrobe and can easily add a shot of elegance to almost any outfit that doesn’t involve sweatpants. Every few years the vest will become a hot trend again but it will never, ever go out of style.
And so, with that in mind, I would like to issue a formal plea to the men of America and beyond: please consider adding a vest or two to your wardrobe. Try classic black, herringbone, or subtle plaid. Wear it over a crisp button-up shirt or under a blazer or cardigan. Wear it to your graphic design class or the bar or your aunt’s wedding. Just wear it, OK?
