The Transformative Third Piece

Happy Thursday ladies. Today I’m sharing my love for adding a third piece to your outfit. They have the ability to pull everything together in an almost magical way. The right piece can elevate the simplest pieces into a creative look and transform the ordinary to unique.

Jackets and cardigans come to mind first and do a brilliant job at this, but they’re often too warm for our hot summers. That’s when I reach for a vest, the lighter weight the better. Hanover vest on jennifer connolly of a well styled life

Artful Home always carries interesting vests and their newest spring collection has a couple of beauties. I zeroed in on this Hanover Vest by Fenini because I had last years version which got worn a lot. You saw me wear it here in Mexico and here. 

Our weather was unpredictable the day we grabbed pictures so I’ve styled it for cooler temps.

Hanover linen vest over white shirt and gray jeans on Jennifer of A Well Styled Life
Hanover Vest c/oEssential Layering Tee c/oParker Smith jeans c/o

This year’s linen vest has a fitted silhouette through the torso, then rounds out at the bottom with a slight bubble hemline. I love the deep V-neckline which helps balance my broad shoulders.

gray linen vest from Artful Home over black jeans and black tee

 

column of black under gray linen vest
Hanover Vest c/oEssential Layering Tee c/oParker Smith jeans c/o

It’s calf length on the Artful Home model so lower calf length on my 5’4″ frame. It flows and swishes dramatically when I walk which feels fun and theatrical and suits my mood perfectly.

back of Hanover vest showing lace ties
Hanover Vest c/oEssential Layering Tee c/oParker Smith jeans c/o

It has ties at the back waist which you can snug in or leave loose for more flow. Since I have a straight figure, I like it snugged in to give me the illusion of having a waist.

The vest has very deep armholes so I’m wearing this side view of hanover vest showing pocket detail

The front pockets have a gray and white striped edging, which is repeated at the waist detailing in the back.

I love Fenini’s simple shapes with clean lines with unique details. They add creativity to your look and let you stand out from the crowd. This vest is described as playful and I have to agree. It’s fun to wear. And if getting dressed isn’t fun, what’s the point?

Have a peek at the rest of Artful Home’s new spring collection here and be sure to join Artful Home’s Free Rewards program which gives you:

  • Early access to their most popular sales events
  • Free standard shipping on all apparel and shoes, every day
  • Extra discounts on select sales
  • Special sales for members only
  • Gift certificates when you refer friends (earn $25 for every referral)

 

Do you wear vests to transform outfits?

Thanks for reading and have a great day.

 

Thanks to Artful Home for partnering on this post. I was gifted product and compensated. All opinions are my own.

15 Comments

  1. Sheila-Merle Johnson says:

    I am slim (my husband said I had a lot of scrawn) and my arms get cold easily, so I usually wear jackets for my third piece, not vests. But I could possibly wear a light one in spring/summer. Not linen, though,- I can’t stand all the ‘wrinkledyness’. I always have something interesting and noticeable in an outfit – jacket, scarf, printed tee, etc. At age 74, I finally own that I want to stand out most days. It feels great! @sheilamerle1

    1. That’s wonderful Sheila-Merle. I like to stand out too. It does feel great.

  2. I found the theory of the third piece sometime in the 80s, and I have been doing it ever since. Scarves are too hot in the summer when the temps are triple digits, so I have been wearing linen vests for years. Vests come and go out of fashion, but I’ve managed to find ways to incorporate them even when they have been technically “out of style.”

    1. I’ve got 3 linen vests and love their versatility. Being out of style has never stopped me from wearing something.

  3. Hello Jennifer!

    This look is one of my favorites! You have styled it well as always, my friend. – There is nothing like layering linen.

    I splurged for the Bryn coat this season. I cannot wait to dress it high and low!

    I . . . have always wanted an AH mesh top! It looks so pretty on you!

    1. Hi Lynne! Thanks so much. It’s wonderful to hear from you. I wear this mesh top a lot. I think I need a white one too.

  4. Love all the fun detailing as well -the cinching in the back and the stripe on the pockets. Wish it came in petite!

  5. I usually wear a third piece. I have just trained myself to do that. You are right…it does add to an overall look so much.

  6. Griselle Camacho-Claudio says:

    Love the look, it definitely puts together and outfit.

  7. You look fantastic Jennifer! What an interesting addition to an outfit that would otherwise be pretty ordinary! Thanks for the post.

  8. Recently I have really learned the value of the 3rd piece. We live in a small motorhome (by choice, thank God) and are traveling the states and Canada. I do not want to look like we live in a motor home. And clothes have to be tough, I can only do so much with laundromats. Those lightweight kimonos in style the last few years are invaluable. I also have a couple short and long vests and am accumulating scarves. I discovered Walmart and was happy to see your post on that store. Right now, they have some elbow length scoop neck T-shirts in several colors and a slub look fabric and they wash and wear very well, so inexpensive it’s scary. Tevas, which you also mentioned lately, make some very cute sandals that I can kayak in and wear all day city walking even with my troubled feet. I wear a nice watch and some makeup even on long hikes. My husband thought I was a little silly at first but he has come to like it.
    Thank you for all your work doing this blog.

    1. How fun Nancy. We toyed with the idea of doing that in a motor home too. You’re smart. Scarves and accessories take up so little space but really jazz things up.

  9. I love the vest over pants and t-shirt. It’s like wearing a dress with the convenience of pants. Wondering how it would look with a bright t-shirt —too much or fun?

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