A side opening vest includes a front panel and a back panel that are connected by shoulder straps and that are spaced apart from each other defining a left side gap and a right side gap. Straps extend from the back panel across the gaps for connection with the front panel. The front panel has engagement areas for receiving the straps to connect the front and back panels of the garment. The vest includes an adapter system enabling the use of any selected one of a plurality of different closure mechanisms to releasably connect the straps with the front panel.