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Have you experienced the unique versatility of a men’s gilet yet? If not, you’re missing out on one of the most versatile layering pieces we know!
Probably the best way to describe a gilet is to say that it’s ‘a lightweight jacket without sleeves’. In that sense, mens gilets are very similar to bodywarmers – but bodywarmers tend to be more padded and exclusively designed for outdoor use.
Like bodywarmers, gilets can also be worn outdoors, but our fleece men’s gilets are also ideal for indoor use when it’s chilly – keeping the chest, tummy and back cosy whilst allowing the arms to move freely.
The versatility of gilets means that they can be worn as outerwear over a T-shirt, shirt or jumper in milder weather, or as an extra layer under a coat in winter. Some gilets are specifically designed to fix inside an outer coat or jacket, adding an extra layer of warmth. (See Squall® System below.)
At Lands’ End, most of our gilets are made from either natural down or soft, lightweight fleece. Read on to find out more…
We use HyperDRY™ down in all our natural down mens gilets. It’s water-resistant, quick drying and allergen-free. Our down gilets also come with a water-resistant shell, so they won’t get waterlogged if you get caught in a sudden downpour. Look out for our Lightweight Down Gilet with 800-fill power down for a brilliant warmth-to-weight ratio.
Our fleece gilets are the ultimate in versatile layering. They can be worn indoors on cooler days to keep chills at bay, outdoors in the spring as a jacket replacement, or under a coat for cosy winter warmth. We use ThermaCheck® fleece in our men’s gilets. It’s antistatic, meaning no more irritating static cling and crackles, and the anti-pill treatment stops bobbling, keeping it looking newer for longer.
Another great advantage of our men’s gilets is that most of the styles are designed to zip into our Squall System Jacket. Available separately, the jacket provides a waterproof outer layer which you can customise by zipping in your choice of gilet to add just the right amount of warmth to suit the season.
‘Gilet’ is the French word for a ‘waistcoat’. The name originates from the Spanish (jileco) and Turkish (yelek), both meaning a sleeveless jacket. Incidentally, in the USA, gilets are called ‘vests’.