Mood Style: Easy Jacquard Vest w/ Covered Buttons

With Men’s Fashion Week in full swing, you may be feeling the pressure to update your wardrobe. Luckily, that’s easier than you might think!

One of the biggest trends seen on the runway this season is brocade, brocade, and more brocade. And while it may be a little too high fashion for day to day wear, it’s not difficult to dress down. You could try a jacket paired with an otherwise simple ensemble, or add an awesome pop with a brocade tie! In our case, we went with the vest.

Fabric & materials used:

• 1 yard Radiant Platinum and Black Paisley Damask Brocade/Jacquard
• 1.5 yards Black Polyester Crepe
• 1 Silver Metal Buckle
• Dritz 4 Size 30 – 3/4″ Half Ball Cover Buttons
• Simplicity 4762 Boys/Mens Vest/Tie Pattern

The Simplicity pattern was easy to follow and went together rather quickly. It also came with directions for a men’s tie, as well as vest and tie patterns for boy’s sizes. If you’re more of a bow tie person though, we’ve got you covered with a free template!

With such an intricate print, I wanted to keep the buttons simple. To make sure they matched the black of the lining, I decided to cover them myself. Nothing is more frustrating than fighting a button that doesn’t want to be evenly covered. When I first started making them, there would always be at least one pucker, no matter how hard I tried. Luckily I discovered an easier way.

Some have suggested a little hot glue, but I’ve found that makes it a little tricky when trying to put the back of the button on; too much and it will no longer fit. However, a few stitches around the outside of the circle take up less space and turn the fabric into a small pouch. All you need to do is tighten it around the button, tie it off, and pop the back on.

The back of the vest was done in a simple black lining with a contrasting brocade belt. What about you – would you make your vest full brocade? Would you use an entirely different fabric altogether? Let me know in the comments!