You only need to walk down the streets of London to see the chokehold that gilets have on the capital's collective wardrobe.
Hackney hipsters clad in Carhartt’s fleeced, sleeveless jackets, yummy mummies tootling around town in Lululemon’s finest and finance bros sporting technical numbers during their morning commute to the city - all commonplace sights to behold in 2023.
Once considered the ultimate fashion faux pas due to the garment’s Sloaney connations, the wearing of gilets has once again gained traction in the style sphere. We undoubtedly have movements such as gorpcore, normcore and most recently cabincore to thank for catalysing the resurgence of gilets up and down the high streets. An acute focus on utilitarian style and functional fashion has been embraced by the style set who is welcoming the Bear Grylls aesthetic with open arms.
As a result, it was only time before gilets were popular again and brands have quickly caught on. Household names such as Barbour, The North Face, Patagonia and Carhartt freed the gilet from its previously preppy-posh status à la Jack Wills and transformed it into a must-have piece.
Scandinavian-style quilted vests, printed fleeced designs and cropped silhouettes began to adorn the figures of fashion darlings everywhere. Dua Lipa showcased many a lightweight layer via social media, Mia Regan posed for a Gucci campaign in a kaleidoscopic rendition and Hailey Bieber took inspiration from husband Justin Bieber’s sportswear style, sporting snug gilets by Maison Margiela and Bottega Venetta for all to covet.
The LA It-girls were seemingly the most enamoured by the puffer vest fascination. Kaia Gerber fell hard for the athleisure craze as evidenced by her frequent wearing of black gilets, as did Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Biel who both opted for low-key, high-performance aesthetics while out and about.
The polarising piece may have fallen prey to the trends cycle but they're first and foremost a functional item. The style offers an insulating layer of warmth while also being indicative of one’s sartorial prowess. Plus, they aren’t solely reserved for sports enthusiasts.
Gilets have a lot to offer. Tap into the voluminous trend and add a versatile piece to your winter wardrobe with our favourite designs below.
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Barbour x GANNI Betty Reversible Liner
Owned by the Princess of Wales herself, this Barbour x GANNI reversible liner has been flying off the shelves. It features a classic khaki hue and a diamond quilted front that can be reversed to reveal a winter-ready tartan print.
Buy now £175.00, Liberty
Rains Bator Puffer Vest
Curate a truly technical look with the Rains Bator Puffer Vest. Available in a range of sleek colourways, the garment is an insulating, waterproof winter vest with a cool minimalist aesthetic. Add the unisex piece to your winter wardrobe and layer with a laid-back long sleeve and cargo trousers.
Buy now £319.00, Rains
Chopova Lowena Sunflower-print Fleece Gilet
One we’ve had firmly on our wishlist for quite some time, Chopova Lowena’s lively fleece will bring the sunshine on a cloudy day. A mood-boosting sunflower print is set against a deep tangerine hue to create the definition of dopamine dressing and will secure your It-girl status.
Buy now £211.00, Matches
Arket Quilted Liner Vest
Lean into the chic Scandi aesthetic with a helping hand from Arket. This uber-wearable piece is crafted from recycled material, giving it a lightweight feel ideal for layering. Note the water-repellent finish and ripstock fabric to combat the drizzly British elements.
Buy now £67.00, Arket
Whistles Sandra Diamond-quilted Recycled-polyester Gilet
A failproof pick, Whistles’ Sandra gilet showcases an on-trend diamond quilt for those seeking subtle sophistication. Pair with a black turtleneck and jeans for an elegant everyday ensemble.
Buy now £69.00, Selfridges
Sezane Timothe Jacket
Sezane's Timothe Jacket is timelessness personified. The denim patchwork vest is a welcome alternative to the classic puffer gilet. Wear yours as it is during summer or layer up with a ruffled collar blouse when the temperature drops.
Buy now £115.00, Sezane
Massimo Dutti Puffer Gilet
Dreading the frosty commute in the morning? You need not with Massimo Dutti’s sumptuous puffer in tow. The piece provides ample insulation on the chilliest of days. Flip the neck up, zip up and cocoon yourself in the warming down number on your way to work.
Buy now £129.00, Massimo Dutti
Polo Ralph Lauren Reversible Quilted Cotton Gilet
TikTok’s favourite trend piece, this quilted jacket by Ralph Lauren exudes country-girl chic. Dazzle passersby with the beautiful quilted design displaying handy frontal pockets. For days when a more subtle style is preferred, flip to reveal a light-wash denim exterior to complement your favourite pair of blue jeans.
Buy now £183.00, Polo Ralph Lauren
Mango Oversized Straight Gilet
Mango’s knitted gilet is the prime example of the silhouette's fashion rebirth. It's a far cry from the classic quilted pieces but still offers a fine layer to style as you please. Belt it, button it or leave it as it is.
Buy now £24.99, Mango
Connor Ives Printed Fleece Gilet
Set trends with Connor Ives’ printed gilet. This is a vibrant piece to help flaunt your fashion prowess. The sustainable piece is made from fleece spun using 33 per cent recycled fibres and printed with a landscape inspired by The Hudson River School, a 19th-century American art movement of painters.
Buy now £515.00, Net-A-Porter
Stussy Diamond Quilted Vest
Given Dua Lipa’s seal of approval, this Stussy vest is perfect for styling during alpine getaways and ski soirees. Cosy up in the luscious quilts and experiment with your newfound street style.
Buy now £145.00, Trouva
