The 4 Most Secretly Swoon-Worthy Fictional Nerds We Love In a Sweater Vest

The sweater vest, at first, might conjure up a collage of distinctly unattractive images of dads, dorks and dunces. But as nerdy as they might be, sweater vests have been worn by some of our biggest TV and movie crushes.

There’s something about the stuffy style of these guys that makes our hearts skip a beat. Here’s how you can get the look of pop culture’s hottest geeks.

Rupert Giles, Buffy

Rupert Giles acts as teenage vampire slayer Buffy Summers’ watcher, leading her in training sessions and helping her accomplish mission after dangerous mission. Initially, we’re led to believe that Giles is some kind of fuddy-duddy, but once we see him fighting evil or sensually singing “Behind Blue Eyes” in a hip cafe, the facade fades away and we see that he’s a stone cold fox. Get his look in an argyle sweater vest beneath a classic English tweed suit.

Ron Weasley, Harry Potter

Oh, Ron. You are so hapless. It’s a treat to watch Ron Weasley’s magical coming-of-age as the Harry Potter series moves forward, with awkward encounters, major embarrassments and the occasional act of heroism along the way. The red-headed youngest boy of seven children seems to go from dirty-faced tyke to heartthrob overnight, though, and his schoolboy duds certainly help the image along. Get the Hogwarts-after-class look in a black sweater vest over a white button-down and a Gryffindor scarlet and gold striped tie.

Steve Urkel, Family Matters

“I’m wearing you down, baby. I’m wearing you down.” So spoke Steve Urkel to his paramour, Laura Winslow, who can’t seem to stand the colorfully dressed sycophant’s advances…until she falls for him, of course. Though his voice is high-pitched and his style madcap, we can’t help but love Urkel, from his horn-rimmed glasses to his clashing patterned sweater vests, button-ups and acid wash jeans. Steal his look the updated way with a power clash of joggers, a printed shirt and a wild-patterned vest.

The Doctor, Doctor Who

His face may change every season, but the appeal remains the same. What more could you want than a time-traveling alien with two hearts? Ephemeral though he may be, we manage to fall for the Doctor every time he saves the world, and it’s not just for his bravery and witty one-liners. A timeless English trench coat, wool sweater vest and a sonic screwdriver help, too.

Intelligence, enthusiasm, an offhand sense of humor? Sign us up for a date with one of these sweater-vested babes.

The sweater vest may be a nerd favorite, but that is not a bad thing.