A longline waistcoat is every woman's best friend – these are the best buys for your shape

Telegraph

02-07-2025

While basic categories of clothing tend to remain roughly the same for seasons (think: dresses, blazers, blouses…) occasionally an ingenious garment comes along to update our existing wardrobes and leaves the fashion pack wondering how they ever styled themselves without it.
For 2025 – and beyond – the longline waistcoat is one such game-changer. Who knew the final flourish of a man's morning suit could morph into such a useful piece of womenswear? Following an elegant longline silhouette, this year's waistcoat is a versatile option that will suit every body and occasion.
Corporate employees will find the tailored yet sleeveless silhouette a balm on hot days – these waistcoats always look office appropriate yet stop you from sweltering. If you are blessed to work outside an office (or not at all) longline waistcoats work as a brilliantly sleek option when you are looking for a 'nice top' to team with jeans.
For formalwear, perhaps a city wedding, find a waistcoat co-ord then add the matching bottoms for a chic yet modern outfit. Add accessories in the same colour family for a consistent look. As with so many fashion formulas, looking stylish relies on either choosing coherency or contrast. As the longline waistcoat swings across all aesthetics, this goes some way to explain the garment's universal appeal, however there are other plus points which have secured the style's appearance across every sector, from the high street to high end.
Contemporary enough to add edge while not being scarily avant-garde yet pleasingly modest; the longline waistcoat exposes just enough skin (but not too much). With an appealing array of price-points, available in every fabric and almost every colour of the rainbow, it's almost too good to be true. But the edit below attests that longline waistcoats are not a fashion fever dream and really do suit every body shape…
Straight up and down
The waistcoat that cemented the longline trend is undoubtedly Aligne's Leo style. In an inclusive range of sizes (from 22 through to 4) it has been a repeat sell out and shoppers have fallen for the considered details that will whittle any waist. Virginia Seymour, Aligne's chief executive, revealed that the style was 'purposefully designed as (a) timeless wardrobe foundation'. As such, longline waistcoats are a perma-trend that will last beyond the summer.
The clever addition of an adjustable back buckle offers a more personalised fit, 'whether you're after a defined waist or a more relaxed shape', while Seymour points out that 'the button fastening finishes at the natural waist, while the hem opens slightly to create an effortlessly flattering silhouette that works across all body types'. For those with a straight-up-and-down figure these tweaks give the wearer a curvier silhouette. Yet women with bigger bodies will never feel constricted by the flare of the hem.
As Seymour suggests, the longline waistcoat offers 'an elevated approach to everyday dressing'. But be aware, as the originator of the best iteration of the style, Aligne now has 'multiple waitlists in different colours' because Leo is 'such a signature piece in the collection'. Beyond wearing the navy version with white linen trousers or shorts this summer, it would look chic with indigo jeans (with a wide turn-up) or slouchy velvet trousers later in the year.
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Bigger bust
While many of this season's longline waistcoats button up to the collarbone, this silhouette can sometimes look and feel restricting, particularly if you have a bigger bust. A flare at the hips of a longline waistcoat will complement a curvier cleavage as the extra fabric will balance out your body, visually. But better yet would be to look for a longline waistcoat with a V-neckline. This open cut will draw the eye upwards, creating a break in the fabric, which will again draw attention up and away from your bust.
Another stylish suggestion would be to choose a waistcoat with a belt, particularly if you have an hourglass figure that's curvy at the bust and hips. By nipping in your waist you will create an outline that counterbalances a bigger bust with similarly curvy hips. Compared with the earlier versions of waistcoats, which were cropped and far more revealing, longline waistcoats feel like a grown-up option as they offer elegant coverage (which is ideal for workwear).
Virginia Seymour suggests a full cotton skirt (like Aligne's Natalie style in cotton poplin, £99) as a stylish partner which will work for the city and holidays. Simply swap a leather tote for a basket and switch out chunky loafers for fisherman's sandals or flip-flops.
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Pear shape
Thandi Maqubela has a dedicated following on Instagram where scrollers lap up the polished, professional outfits she chooses for her working role as a legal director (although her off-duty styles are immaculately styled and equally appealing too). Maqubela is a fan of the longline waistcoat, recently pairing a butter yellow version with a terracotta-toned skirt. She believes that '(longline waistcoats) are incredibly versatile, particularly in the office'. Teamed with tailored slacks ('for a more formal look'), Maqubela suggests, 'the tailored silhouette makes for a flattering cut (as) it accentuates the waist and often creates an hourglass effect'.
So, if you have a bottom-heavy silhouette, characterised by classic pear-shaped hips and derrière, longline waistcoats will definitely work on your body shape. Choosing styles that have narrower straps, a halter-neck style or detail at the shoulders will create an optical illusion, where the eyes are drawn up from your hips, while the longer line of the waistcoat will offer helpful coverage if you feel self-conscious and want to physically cover your hips.
If you're choosing a longline waistcoat for work, follow Maqubela's advice that 'monochrome elevates the look'. And as for a trend with longevity? Longline waistcoats are the one. Maqubela notes: 'It's almost two years running and they're still going strong.' Style and substance? A longline waistcoat really is the piece that does it all.
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