Tanktop vs. Vest — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 3, 2024
A tank top is a sleeveless shirt with wide armholes, often worn in casual settings, while a vest is a sleeveless upper-body garment worn over shirts for style or warmth.
Difference Between Tanktop and Vest
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tank tops are typically made from light, stretchy materials like cotton or polyester, making them ideal for warm weather or as sportswear. On the other hand, vests can be crafted from a variety of materials including wool, down, or synthetic fibers, designed for both fashion and function in cooler temperatures.
While tank tops usually have a simple, unstructured design that covers the torso, vests might include additional features such as buttons, pockets, or a v-neckline, enhancing their aesthetic and practicality. Tank tops are generally more casual and less formal compared to the often stylish or professional look of vests.
In terms of versatility, tank tops are primarily worn on their own or under other garments for comfort or modesty. Conversely, vests are more often used as part of a layered outfit, potentially serving as a statement piece in both casual and formal ensembles.
For athletic activities, the tank top is the preferred choice due to its light weight and breathability, which help keep the wearer cool and comfortable. Whereas, vests are favored in outdoor activities for their ability to provide extra warmth without the bulkiness of full sleeves, especially useful in transitional weather.
Comparison Chart
Material
Typically light, stretchy materials like cotton.
Can vary widely, including wool, down, synthetics.
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Design
Simple, often form-fitting with wide armholes.
May include buttons, pockets, v-neckline.
Functionality
Ideal for warm weather or as sportswear.
Adds warmth or style, used for layering.
Formality
Casual wear.
Ranges from casual to formal.
Usage Context
Worn alone or under garments for comfort.
Often part of a layered outfit or as a statement piece.
Compare with Definitions
Tanktop
A sleeveless shirt with wide armholes.
He wore a tank top to the gym for his workout.
Vest
Often used for layering.
She layered a vest over her blouse for a stylish look.
Tanktop
Casual, light upper garment.
The tank top was perfect for the beach outing.
Vest
Part of formal attire.
His suit included a matching vest for the wedding.
Tanktop
Often used in warm weather.
She packed several tank tops for her summer vacation.
Vest
A sleeveless garment worn over a shirt.
He added a woolen vest to his outfit for extra warmth.
Tanktop
Can be used for sports.
The athlete chose a tank top for the marathon.
Vest
Provides warmth without sleeves.
The down vest kept her warm during the hike.
Tanktop
Generally form-fitting.
The form-fitting tank top highlighted his muscular build.
Vest
Can be functional with pockets.
The fisherman’s vest had multiple pockets for tackle.
Tanktop
Alternative spelling of tank top
Vest
A sleeveless garment, often having buttons down the front, worn usually over a shirt or blouse and sometimes as part of a three-piece suit.
Vest
A waist-length, sleeveless garment worn for protection
A warm down vest.
A bulletproof vest.
Vest
A fabric trim worn to fill in the neckline of a woman's garment; a vestee.
Vest
Chiefly British An undershirt.
Vest
(Obsolete) An ecclesiastical vestment.
Vest
To place (authority, property, or rights, for example) in the control of a person or group, especially to give someone an immediate right to present or future possession or enjoyment of (an estate, for example). Used with in
Vested his estate in his daughter.
Vest
To invest or endow (a person or group) with something, such as power or rights. Used with with
Vested the council with broad powers.
Vests its employees with full pension rights after five years of service.
Vest
To clothe or robe, as in ecclesiastical vestments.
Vest
To become legally vested
Stock options that vest after the second year of employment.
Vest
To dress oneself, especially in ecclesiastical vestments.
Vest
(North America) A sleeveless garment that buttons down the front, worn over a shirt, and often as part of a suit; a waistcoat.
Vest
(British) A sleeveless garment, often with a low-cut neck, usually worn under a shirt or blouse.
Vest
A sleeveless top, typically with identifying colours or logos, worn by an athlete or member of a sports team.
Vest
Any sleeveless outer garment, often for a purpose such as identification, safety, or storage.
Vest
A vestment.
Vest
Clothing generally; array; garb.
Vest
A loose robe or outer garment worn historically by men in Arab or Middle Eastern countries.
Vest
(chiefly passive) To clothe with, or as with, a vestment, or garment; to dress; to robe; to cover, surround, or encompass closely.
Vest
To clothe with authority, power, etc.; to put in possession; to invest; to furnish; to endow; followed by with and the thing conferred.
To vest a court with power to try cases of life and death
Vest
To place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority; to commit to another; with in before the possessor.
The power of life and death is vested in the king, or in the courts.
Vest
(legal) To clothe with possession; also, to give a person an immediate fixed right of present or future enjoyment of.
To vest a person with an estate
An estate is vested in possession
Vest
(of an inheritance or a trust fund) To devolve upon the person currently entitled when a prior interest has ended.
Upon the death of the Sovereign the Crown automatically vests in the next heir without the need of coronation or other formality.
Vest
To become vested, to become permanent.
My pension vests at the end of the month and then I can take it with me when I quit.
Vest
(obsolete) To invest; to put.
To vest money in goods, land, or houses
Vest
An article of clothing covering the person; an outer garment; a vestment; a dress; a vesture; a robe.
In state attended by her maiden train,Who bore the vests that holy rites require.
Vest
Any outer covering; array; garb.
Not seldom clothed in radiant vestDeceitfully goes forth the morn.
Vest
Specifically, a waistcoat, or sleeveless body garment, for men, worn under the coat.
Vest
To clothe with, or as with, a vestment, or garment; to dress; to robe; to cover, surround, or encompass closely.
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind.
With ether vested, and a purple sky.
Vest
To clothe with authority, power, or the like; to put in possession; to invest; to furnish; to endow; - followed by with before the thing conferred; as, to vest a court with power to try cases of life and death.
Had I been vested with the monarch's power.
Vest
To place or give into the possession or discretion of some person or authority; to commit to another; - with in before the possessor; as, the power of life and death is vested in the king, or in the courts.
Empire and dominion was [were] vested in him.
Vest
To invest; to put; as, to vest money in goods, land, or houses.
Vest
To clothe with possession; as, to vest a person with an estate; also, to give a person an immediate fixed right of present or future enjoyment of; as, an estate is vested in possession.
Vest
To come or descend; to be fixed; to take effect, as a title or right; - followed by in; as, upon the death of the ancestor, the estate, or the right to the estate, vests in the heir at law.
Vest
A man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat
Vest
A collarless men's undergarment for the upper part of the body
Vest
Provide with power and authority;
They vested the council with special rights
Vest
Place (authority, property, or rights) in the control of a person or group of persons;
She vested her vast fortune in her two sons
Vest
Become legally vested;
The property vests in the trustees
Vest
Clothe oneself in ecclesiastical garments
Vest
Clothe formally; especially in ecclesiastical robes
Common Curiosities
Are tank tops suitable for cold weather?
Tank tops are not typically suitable for cold weather unless layered under other garments.
Can vests be part of a formal outfit?
Yes, vests can be part of formal attire, often seen in suits or professional wear.
What is a tank top?
A tank top is a sleeveless, often form-fitting shirt, primarily used for casual wear or sports.
Is a vest a good option for layering?
Yes, vests are excellent for layering as they add style or warmth without bulkiness.
Are there different types of vests?
Yes, vests come in various types, including formal, outdoor, and casual styles.
Can vests be worn for sports?
Some vests, especially those made for outdoor sports, are suitable for activities like fishing or hunting.
Where would you typically wear a tank top?
Tank tops are often worn at the gym, during sports, or in casual settings.
What is a vest?
A vest is a sleeveless garment worn over shirts for added style or warmth.
What materials are tank tops made from?
Tank tops are usually made from light materials like cotton or polyester.
What are the key differences in design between a tank top and a vest?
Tank tops are simpler with wide armholes, while vests may have features like buttons and pockets.
How do vests enhance an outfit?
Vests can add a layer of sophistication or professionalism to an outfit, especially in formal settings.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
