Vests are in a long line of recession-friendly trends this season.

Chances are you probably don’t have one - but when you stop and consider how versatile this piece of clothing is, you’ll be more apt to view it as an investment.  A sharp looking vest this fall will add zip to your wardrobe with relatively little pain at the cash register.

Photos: Carolina Herrera (above left); Original Penguin from Dillard’s (above right); photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008

Vests can be worn over just about anything or, if you’re the daring type, nothing at all. Turtlenecks, tailored shirts or silky blouses are a safe and stylish combination in the workplace.

Worn with a sparkly T, or without any under layer, the vest proves its date-worthiness.

The best thing about vests is that this look is appealing whether you’re a conservative or harbor a preference for rocker chic.  In the world of vests, there is always something for everybody.

You could go the luxe route or you could get creative and make a trip to your local thrift or vintage store.

In fact, many of the looks strutting down the fall runways were straight from Diane Keaton’s Annie Hall days.  With a little tailoring (that cost offset by your thrift shop savings) you could end up with a one-of-a-kind piece.

Photos: Green vest with elbow length gloves, above left, from Macy’s INC.; cropped black vest over purple cami by 7 For All Mankind; hip-length chocolate leather vest, above left, from Macy’s INC.; Miss Sixty long furry vest, above right; Ted Baker scoopneck vest, left.  Photos by Evans Caglage, Fashion at the Park, NorthPark Center, Fall 2008