15 To Shop: Knit Vests To Add to Your Trans-Seasonal Wardrobe

Photo: Courtesy Of Kowtow

Spring is knocking on the door. From Curio Practice’s retro fisherman cable-knits to Commas’ neutral colour-blocking designs, these are our favourite vests to layer over sleeves now and wear solo later.

Words by Simone Richardson · Updated on 08 Jan 2026 · Published on 19 Aug 2025

Knit vests have made quite the comeback. No longer reserved for bookish professors and adopters of the grandpa-core aesthetic, the sleeveless sweater has become a collection staple among designers working in wool, alpaca and cashmere.

And what’s not to love? The preppy piece warms without the bulk of a full jumper while adding a hit of texture to an outfit. Over a crisp button-up, it leans classic; over a simple tee, it reads more relaxed. And when the temperature rises, it makes a stylish trans-seasonal piece to wear on its own.

This moment feels especially right as we swap the depths of winter for sunnier days. Rather than shelving knits altogether, the vest offers a middle ground – cosy enough for chilly mornings, breezy enough to transition through spring. Here are 15 plush styles to shop now.

Kowtow Wingspan vest

$279

A dopamine hit from the Kiwi label: a rich mahogany base that slips seamlessly into your wardrobe, with a neon butterfly motif to lift winter neutrals as you edge into spring. It’s made from 100 per cent organic cotton with classic ribbed trims to frame your neck, arms and waist.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Kowtow

Wales Bonner Mouline knit vest

$729

Karl Lagerfeld-approved designer Grace Wales Bonner has earned ultra-cool status in recent years. The Brit fuses preppy sportswear with high-fashion sensibility – think patterned tracksuits, leopard-print Adidas Sambas and sleeveless knits in sunny Clueless -esque tones. Her eponymous label was recently added to The Iconic, where you can try the brand with free shipping.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Ssense

Marle Bonita vest

$164

Not all knits need colour. If you’re not ready to let go of black, Kiwi label Marle blends alpaca and wool yarn into this classic go-with-everything hue. A subtle curly finish ensures the knitted texture doesn’t get lost in black, while two side buttons let you play with your silhouette – wear it loose or cinched in.

Buy at Riise Buy at Marle

Sir Teatro vest

$320

We love an oversized style. Lofty shapes make for chic throw-ons that don’t require much styling (or brainpower). Sir’s chunky wool-blend vest has a relaxed silhouette you can wear slouchy solo or layered over crisp shirting, fresh tees or even another knit. The warm coffee hue makes for versatile wear, too.

Buy at Sir

A Emery Nelson vest

$280

A smarter take than most on this list, A Emery’s design sits somewhere between a knit vest and a tailored waistcoat. Crafted from 100 per cent merino wool in an extra-fine weave, it’s wearable year-round. The deep V-neck keeps things classic and feels right for spring.

Buy at The New Trend Buy at A Emery

E Nolan cotton vest

$140

How do you warm up suiting? With a knit vest. Melbourne tailoring label E Nolan has built a name on genderless, effortlessly cool garments that don’t follow suit. The atelier also crafts plush knitwear – mostly cashmere scarves – but woven cotton vests round out the edit, designed to slip under a blazer or over crisp shirting.

Buy at E Nolan

& Daughter Athea tank

$665

London-based knitwear label & Daughter is rooted in family heritage, with skills passed down from the founder’s grandmother to her father, and then to her. That lineage is the story behind the name, but the brand also crafts beautiful garments worthy of passing down themselves. This stylish tank is made from ultra-soft 100 per cent lambswool and comes in ruby red, derby green and navy.

Buy at & Daughter

Friends With Frank The Ren top

$149.50

Mint blooms in spring – and Melbourne label Friends With Frank is welcoming it early. The Ren top is 100 per cent cotton, making it an easy styling piece to introduce subtle hints of colour to your wardrobe without fully committing to bold knits.

Buy at Friends With Frank

Curio Practice Very vest

$480

You may know Curio Practice for its uber-cool merino wool blankets in chequered patterns and bold colours. But the textile label also crafts a small selection of knitted vests, sweaters and scarves that are just as cosy. This style features a cable-knit design that feels right at home with the rise of the fisherman aesthetic.

Buy at Curio Practice

Commas Colour Block knit vest

$410

Colour blocking doesn’t always mean loud. Sydney-based menswear designer Commas delivers a muted palette of buttercream, powder blue and washed black for a stylish nod to Piet Mondrian’s abstract art. Crafted in a wool-nylon blend for breathability, the scoop neck also invites accessory play.

Buy at Commas

Camilla and Marc Tori knit vest

$350

Chic, wearable and made for capsule wardrobes. This oat-hued knit pairs perfectly with washed denim, and its neutral tone means it layers seamlessly over shirting of any colour. Exaggerated detailing at the arms and waist add appeal, while the relaxed fit makes it a weekday-to-weekend staple.

Buy at Camilla and Marc

Francie Star vest

$295

Thanks to its breathable nature, merino wool is the ultimate trans-seasonal yarn. Francie uses an extra-fine fibre for this rolled-waist design, slightly cropped for solo summer wear but equally good layered over a simple white tee. Each piece is made in the brand’s ethically certified Melbourne factory.

Buy at Francie

Thinking Mu Sherry vest

$432

Barcelona label Thinking Mu isn’t afraid of a pattern. Its eco-conscious designs often come striped, chequered or illustrated. This knitted vest, made from 100 per cent wool, mixes a pared-back palette of forest green, butterscotch and navy for a colourful piece that still feels wearable and easy to style.

Buy at Wolf & Badger

Ganni stripe vest

$179 - $301

A knitted vest has become a staple at Copenhagen’s ever-whimsical Ganni – but don’t expect “classic”. Instead, think playful palettes, loud prints and kitschy-but-cute details. Here, lilac, charcoal and olive green are framed with a mustard-brown trim. It’s made from a merino-alpaca blend with a brushed finish for added texture. Take styling cues from Farfetch and layer it over brighter mustard tones.

Buy at Ssense Buy at Farfetch

Oroton Willow vest

$159

Part of the Sydney label’s Everyday collection, the Willow vest is a classic piece designed for daily wear. Made from 100 per cent merino wool, it features two pockets that nod to the countryside aesthetic – pair it with the matching cardigan to complete the set.

Buy at The Iconic Buy at Oroton

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About the author

Simone is Broadsheet's shopping editor.