Translation guide
A vest is a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body. In Japanese, the word depends on the type: a formal waistcoat, a casual sleeveless top, or an undershirt.
The sleeveless garment worn over a dress shirt and under a suit jacket, often with buttons and a V-neck.
The most common word for a formal vest or waistcoat. Borrowed from English.
スーツにベストを合わせると、よりフォーマルに見えます。
Adding a vest to a suit makes it look more formal.
An older word for vest/waistcoat, still understood but less common today. Can sound slightly dated.
祖父はいつもチョッキを着ていた。
My grandfather always wore a vest.
A sleeveless garment worn as a light jacket or fashion item, often made of knit, fleece, or down.
Also used for casual vests, like fleece or puffer vests. Context distinguishes from formal.
寒い日はダウンベストを着ると暖かい。
On cold days, wearing a down vest keeps you warm.
From French 'gilet', used in fashion contexts for a sleeveless jacket or vest, often more stylish or feminine.
A sleeveless undergarment worn next to the skin, often cotton, like an A-shirt or tank top.
Common word for a sleeveless undershirt or casual tank top. Not typically called 'vest' in Japanese.
夏はタンクトップ一枚で過ごす。
In summer, I just wear a tank top.
General word for underwear or undershirt. Can refer to any undergarment, including sleeveless types.
A life vest (life jacket) is 救命胴衣 (きゅうめいどうい) or ライフジャケット, not ベスト. Using ベスト for a life vest will cause confusion.
ベスト is the safest modern word for most vests. チョッキ is old-fashioned but understood. ジレ is used in fashion for stylish sleeveless jackets, often women's wear.
She was wearing a lace vest.
Change your undershirt.
Specifically a sleeveless undershirt like a 'wife-beater' style. Often used by men.
父は夏中ランニングシャツを着ている。
My dad wears a sleeveless undershirt all summer.