IT 48: Best for any size between a large IT 44 - 34 Chest - XS or a slim IT 50 - 40 Chest - M.

Raf Simons vest from S/S 1999 'Kinetic Youth'. In good used condition with minor pilling. Made in Belgium.

Simons's S/S 1999 collection was inspired by the restraint of Bauhaus and the nonchalance of high school gymnasium outfits. Sportswear was effortlessly combined with tailoring to create a relaxed atmosphere, while simple silhouettes and clean lines gave a uniform-like cohesion to the clothes, often disrupted by raw edges and subtle splashes of colour. The streamlined aesthetic of the show was given a monumental dimension by the location of the runway at the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris, with the models walking on concrete walkways before a gigantic mirrored globe. Cathy Horyn :

'The central question about Simons, and the one that has gone unanswered, is: How did he do it? How was someone without training or signs of genius able to project such a remarkably accurate portrait of urban youth? And not only that, but how was he able to give the idea by his choice of music and use of large public spaces that youth was also a monumental event?'

This characteristic top appeared in numerous runway looks and was one of the collection's key layering pieces. Its slim cut with a narrow neckline evokes the tops worn by the club-going Belgian teenagers Simons casted as models in his early runways: since then, this shape has become one of his signature silhouettes (pictured: S/S 1999 and S/S 2009). This version is elongated with defined shoulders. The fabric is a recycled wool jersey with a soft texture and considerable stretch. Pronounced irregularities and occasional flecks of contrasting colour give depth to the simple construction. Most interestingly, all edges are precisely cut and left unfinished for a subtly dishevelled finish. On the runway, similar pieces were cut to different lengths for each look. 

Wear this versatile piece under a long tailored coat to channel the 'Kinetic Youth' collection's vibrant minimalism.