Any tips on how to model vests?

[Ie_fishe (paywalls)]

So, I been making vests for long time now except all vests I made mainly just had a bullet proof plating in middle rather than whole thing joining, but now I’m trying to model this:

Does anyone have tips on how I can approach the sides or just leave them

[budmomo (Evangelia)]

I would work on a simple shaped vest then add the details as you go, that way its both customizable and simple to redo if you feel youve messed up