The three-piece suit, a classic staple of men’s wardrobes, has undergone a slight transformation.

This season, less is more, and the vest has trickled down from the bright lights of Hollywood to the mainstream as the hot new trend for men.

The vest has become the item that makes nearly any average outfit cool. From sweater vests to cotton-cashmere blends to pinstripes and argyles, this stand-alone suit piece is here to stay.

“Men’s vests are definitely a hot item this season,” said Paige Mullaney, manager of J. Crew at Crabtree Valley Mall. “We will be carrying a lot of cashmere blends in stripes and argyles — they’re unquestionably a trend that’s going to carry this season and continue.”

And vests also boast versatility. They can be layered over a button-down shirt with a tie for a polished and formal look that has a little more room to breathe in than, say, a full suit. Throw one on over a favorite T-shirt for a more casual urban look.

The key to pulling off the look is a clean and tailored appearance, with a vest proportional to the pants. So for those who wish to experiment with the trend, make sure the vest hits the belt properly. It should be form-fitting and not too boxy.

However, the look hasn’t yet filtered down into wardrobes of most mainstream students. Although vests have seemingly multiplied in more pricey stores such as Brooks Brothers and Express, they have yet to be placed on hangers in stores such as Target and Old Navy. Some still think of the trend as too dressy to be worn casually.

“I typically only wear a vest when I am too lazy to wear a sport coat or blazer but still want to look nice and wear a dress shirt with a tie underneath,” said Taylor Beringer, a junior in business management.

Will Heath, a junior in industrial engineering, shared a similar sentiment.

“I’ve worn a vest occasionally with a three-piece suit, but very rarely do I wear one,” he said. “I’m not a very stylish person.”

But if sales go the way stores like J. Crew think they will, the reinvented throwback to the old glamour of the three-piece suit will pop up across campus, and on a daily basis. Vests have become the “it” item for men this season and will continue to be a staple for many seasons to come.