Short answer: if you want a warm vest that does not look like a fleece, look for a knit rather than a pile, a flat shoulder, a plain zip and no logo on the chest. Our Alpaca Rittervest is built that way: a felted alpaca-merino knit, 34% alpaca, 33% merino and 33% nylon, $349.
I own Ritter, and the question I hear most from men over fifty is some version of this: "I want something warm, but I do not want to look like I am heading to a trailhead." Fair. A fleece vest says weekend hike wherever you wear it. Here is what to look for instead.
Why fleece reads as fleece
Fleece is a fuzzy synthetic pile with a sporty cut and, usually, a logo on the chest. Even a good one reads as outdoor gear, and it tends to sit boxy over a shirt. That is fine on a hillside. It is awkward at a client lunch.
What to look for instead
- A knit surface. A knitted or felted face looks like a sweater, not a jacket liner.
- A clean front. A plain full zip in a matching colour, and no logo on the outside.
- A flat shoulder. It should sit like a waistcoat, not puff out under a coat.
- A muted colour. Charcoal, navy and grey go with everything you already own.
Where you can wear it
Over a shirt at the office, under a blazer when the room is cold, on a flight, at the golf club. I wrote up what works under a blazer and professional alternatives to the Patagonia vest if that is your daily situation.
About the Alpaca Rittervest
It is a felted knit made in small batches in Peru, with a plain full-zip front, two hidden zip pockets at the hip and no logo. It comes in eight colours in sizes S to XXXL. Shipping is free in the US, and returns and size exchanges are free for 30 days. If you are unsure of the fibre, I explain alpaca, merino and cashmere in plain terms.
Questions I get asked
Is it as warm as fleece? It is a warm knit, but warmth depends on the weight, the fit and what you wear under it, so I will not give you a number. Try it, and returns are free for 30 days.
Can I wear it to the office? Yes. That is what the plain front and flat shoulder are for.
What size should I get? If you are between sizes, ask me. I answer the emails myself, and size exchanges are free.
If you want the one I make, the Alpaca Rittervest is the plain one.