Effortless, the best!
Introducing a hot new series where we present items selected from a unique perspective that sets them apart from current trends, complete with witty commentary from Editor Demon King. For our second installment, we’ve chosen the voluminous ‘quilting vest,’ a must-have for early autumn. Don’t dismiss it thinking, “It’s still warm, why a vest with cotton or down?” It’s essential as a top that pairs well with seasonal bottoms, and as an item that can be used for unexpected styling!
Direction & Select by SUKEZANE TomokiPhotographs by YAMAGUCHI KenichiStyling by KAWAI KotaText by HATAKEYAMA SatokoGrooming by ODAIKYO
Vol. 2: Quilting Vest [ˈkwɪltɪŋ vest]
SukezaneThis installment of Best 7 features the ‘quilting vest.’ We’ve lined up vests filled with padding like down or PrimaLoft, all featuring quilting.
Personally, I wore a lot of flare pants last fall and winter. As the summer season winds down, I’m feeling like, “Maybe I’ll wear flares again this year.” That leads to the question of what tops to pair them with. Considering the silhouette, I’m interested in quilting vests with moderate volume and a short length.
This item is known for its warmth and rugged, sporty image. While casual styling is certainly an option, I personally want to lean towards more formal looks by pairing it with slacks and leather shoes. The Best 7 I’ve selected this time are chosen with that kind of styling in mind.
TOM FORD
SukezaneThis is the vest I’m wearing in the top image. I was looking for something to match the flare pants from the same brand that I bought last year, and this vest, which is a perennial fall/winter staple, turned out to be a perfect fit. The subtle quilting and chic design are spot-on with flare pants. The black turtleneck is a Balenciaga I bought just the day before this shoot.
MONCLER GAMME BLEU
SukezaneThis one has the ideal silhouette for me, with perfect balance in length and volume. I also like the understated look when the front snap buttons and zipper are open. This is the quilting vest I want most this winter.
MONCLER
SukezaneThis features an unexpected combination: vintage-style shearling on the front and curved quilting on the back. It has a unique duality, appearing rugged yet sporty from behind. It would also look good layered over chunky knits or Aran sweaters.
THOM BROWNE
SukezaneIt’s short and lightweight, and the square quilting is stylish, which is unusual for this type of item. It would look good layered over Thom Browne’s light gray suit, or because it’s thin, it could be worn under a coat. It expands styling possibilities, such as layering it over an Oxford shirt and tie.
BOTTEGA VENETA
SukezaneThe combination of high-quality leather with the signature Intrecciato weave and nylon is well-balanced, and the dark moss green color is chic. Its luxurious feel, unusual for a down vest, would truly shine when layered over black or gray flannel suits.
COMME des GARÇONS JUNYA WATANABE MAN
SukezaneI love the color. It evokes Dartmouth green and the down puffiness has a 70s feel. For this type of item, I find myself wanting to pair it with flare jeans rather than slacks. I actually own something similar, so I’d like to style it with a vibe reminiscent of an American coming-of-age film.
MONCLER
SukezaneWith this length, it could almost double as a bench coat. Perhaps it could even be worn over a coat. The flared hem and the balanced length front and back create a surprisingly neat fit when worn. Most importantly, it covers the waist completely, making it nice and warm.
