A good vest keeps your core warm and leaves your arms free, which is exactly what October calls for. The trick is picking the right one, because vests do very different jobs. Here are four big & tall vests we like this fall, what each one is best at and who should buy it.

The short version

1. Peter Millar Essex Vest: a pocket for everything and a fleece lining. Best for travel and cold mornings.
2. Polo Ralph Lauren Packable Vest: real down that folds into its own pocket. Best for the car, the suitcase and the golf bag.
3. Westport Lifestyle Highland Quilted Shooter Vest: classic quilting at the friendliest price. Best for weekends.
4. Westport Black Commuter Wool Blend Vest: wool front, clean lines. Best over a button-down or under a sport coat.

Peter Millar Essex Vest

This is the vest for the guy who carries things. There are zip front pockets, several interior pockets and a locker loop, plus a soft fleece lining and a windproof, water-resistant quilted shell. The stand collar and two-way zipper let you open it from the bottom when you sit, a small detail that makes a big difference on a long drive.

Buy it if: you travel, you are out early and you want one vest that handles the cold end of fall.

Polo Ralph Lauren Packable Vest

Duck down and feather fill in a water-repellent shell, with elastic armholes, a drawstring hem and a mock neck. When the afternoon warms up, it packs into its own right pocket and clips onto a bag by the carrying loop.

Buy it if: you want a warm layer you can stash anywhere, and you like the Pony on the chest.

Westport Lifestyle Highland Quilted Shooter Vest

A shooter vest takes its look from the hunting field: diamond quilting, shoulder patches and suede-look trim on the pockets and collar. The Highland keeps that heritage feel in a light nylon shell with a snap-over zip and a high collar for wind. It looks right over a flannel shirt with jeans, and it comes in sizes up to 5XB.

Buy it if: you want a weekend vest in a few colors without spending much.

Westport Black Commuter Wool Blend Vest

The dressiest of the four. A wool-blend body with a quilted front, besom pockets and a stand collar gives it a tailored look that works over a dress shirt at the office, with a quarter-zip on colder days, or under an unstructured sport coat. Charcoal goes with everything.

Buy it if: your vest needs to work on weekdays, not only at the tailgate.

Getting the size right

Try a vest on over the thickest shirt or sweater you will wear with it. The zipper should close flat without pulling across the chest, the armholes should leave room to swing a club or reach overhead and the hem should cover your belt. Tall sizes (LT to 4XT) add length, and big sizes (2XB and up) add room through the middle.