Do vest tops (on women) look cheap/tacky ?

[moneyandbigteeth]

This will be to wear on holiday abroad. I think certain colours can look cheap (some tackier shades of pink?)
I have brought a thick strapped, soft feel, white ribbed top from M&S (cant find it online to link here). I plan to wear it with shorts.
Thoughts ?

MN always an eye opener when it comes to things like dressing yourself. Never did I realise how tacky I was until now.

I happen to love my vests. Quite the fan of a Matalan basic. Jesus I've even been known to wear a white bra under a black vest top, with straps showing 😱

I better not mention I'm not size 8, in case some of you pass out into your massive salads.

Long live the vest.

Who knew a simple vest top was so controversial?

I'm 67, and still wear them in hot weather. And not just in the garden or walking my dog. If it's very sunny and hot, I'd probably have a thin shirt on top to reduce the UV exposure. But the size does have to be right, and I prefer to avoid shoe string straps.

I have lots of h&m v neck linen vests (mostly bought on Vinted) which are loose-ish, with straps just thick enough to wear a bra with. Cool and casual without looking like they could be underwear.

Next have got some brilliant ones in this year. Really thick cotton.

M and S vests were so thin the last time I bought them, you could actually see my nipples. Not just the bumps, the actual nipples 😳

I like to wear a vest top if it's hot and have no care if you can see a bra strap.If I get a little chilly I wear a cardigan over my vest top. I like to wear these with skinny jeans and sometimes crocs.

I think that's a fair few MN S&B sins ticked off.

My tattoo is visible when I wear mine…

<waits for MN fashion police to turn up>

I think it depends how you style it, too much flesh on show never looks good IMO (regardless of weight/size) so I'd only wear a vest top and shorts to the beach or pool really. Maybe I'd wear a vest top with longer more tailored shorts, but I'd probably wear a linen or cotton shirt with 3/4 sleeves. You could wear the vest under an open loose shirt. Outfits look better when you balance them, so if your shoulders are out it'll look better if you're wearing trousers or a midi/maxi skirt. Ditto if it's a tight top try to wear looser bottoms.

ETA - also (TMI) personally I find I smell less fresh in a vest top than in something that has fabric covering my armpits. Particularly under a cardigan, I don't like my bare armpit touching warmer fabrics.

I thought this board was actually for style discussion - like as a hobby and interest. A quality fabric is more stylish, that’s just how it is in fashion and style.

.. this is more like “oh so you’re saying I look terrible and fat!”

A fucking mumu

I love vest tops, layer them up in the winter and pair them with wide linen trousers and full skirts in the summer. I top them off with a cardigan if wearing a skirt and I have a couple of short kimono tops that look good with trousers I am a bit overweight so no doubt look "hideous" but hopefully have not inflicted lasting psychological damage on any innocent passer by.

I'm not sure it's controversial, but it's a topic that's fairly divisive. Too old, too fat, too tight, too much exposure. For the record, I do wonder sometimes whether a person has a mirror to check their reflection. Is it clean/white? Or stained? And, is the result aesthetically pleasing? But I try to keep my judgements to myself.

I generally quite like my 67-year-old body. It has survived childbirth and cancer, and still carries me around to do what I want without complaint, most of the time. And I am very protective of its health, so I now I am retired, with time to spare, I spend what I once spent on clothes on exercise classes and better food choices, and continue wearing the clothes I bought 20 or 30 years ago, in new ways. The flesh is never again going to be as taut and appealing as it was 20 years ago. That's just time passing. I also have grey hair that's not artfully dyed grey, or tinted newsreader blonde. But I don't enjoy cakes or pastries either. There's no virtue or restraint required. Cheese is another matter!

Why should people care if they look “aesthetically pleasing”?

What use is it if humans are decorative objects?

@SilverCatStripes Aesthetically pleasing TO ME. I really don't give a fuck whether YOU think it looks great, too try-hard, frumpy or anything else.

It's what I want to wear, for the weather, and the occasion, and because I enjoy getting dressed as a creative act. I have added the two final sentences for the edit.

Have to say I agree with @allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld. I'm at the high end of my BMI and this kind of top is hideous on me. I am quite booby and I don't like my upper arms.

There are plenty of much more flattering alternatives that will keep you cool in hot weather- light cotton short sleeved blouses that aren't too fitted or anything floaty is a much much better option

@SilverCatStripes , Surely aesthetically pleasing is better than the alternative? Most people don't want to look ugly. I understand that a person is not a decorative item, but there is a balance, and it is perfectly possible to aim to look reasonable, even the best you can manage, without vanity. But there are people who resent anyone who looks better regardless. Their resentment often gets ridiculously personal. There is one woman in a class I go to every week, who dresses beautifully, who won't even listen when I try to compliment an item of clothing.

What use is it if humans are decorative objects?

Trying to appear attractive is just what comes naturally. At times we care less than at others, but it's an instinct that's hard to override. There's a good reason for it, and it's not to be ornamental.

Ohh, very good! 👏😄

This is absolutely fine and @allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld don’t be so ridiculous about weight! I wore this at approximately 10.5 stone so a small size 12 but white ribbed vest top wider straps with a light tan last summer. I looked great.

I’ve worn similar tops when much slimmer and in my 20s and adorned with shell decoration and in dark purple and another in a light turquoise too.

Why should people care if they look “aesthetically pleasing”?

Nobody is obligated to look aesthetically pleasing but this is a style and beauty section, so I’m guessing that most PPs do want to look stylish and pleasing and find styles that they feel good in?

Why all the suggestions to wear a strapless bra? The vest straps are definitely wide enough to cover bra straps.

Me neither. They're my summer staple...

Someone had better tell Jennifer Anniston she’s looking tacky in her white vest top with black bra straps showing!

All of mine would be showing if I wore one, my chest piece and multiple on both my arms, not to mention my huuge bingo wings and hairy armpits!

I own loads of vest tops, even though I don't really wear them, but I have to say this thread is really making me want to start wearing them as a fuck you to all the cries of you shouldn't wear them because you are fat/hairy/tattooed and old!