A sleeveless jacket or waistcoat, typically padded or quilted—a garment of practicality that has crossed from outerwear to fashion layering, acquiring in the process a surprising degree of versatility.
The gilet originated as a men’s waistcoat in eighteenth-century France, worn under the coat as a fitted, sleeveless layer. The word gilet is French for waistcoat, and the garment was an essential component of the three-piece suit—waistcoat, frock coat, breeches—that defined masculine dress for nearly two centuries.
In the twentieth century, the gilet was reimagined as an outdoor garment: a padded, sleeveless jacket designed to provide core warmth while leaving the arms free for movement. The gilet became a staple of shooting and fishing dress in the British countryside, and later a standard item in the wardrobes of hikers, photographers, and outdoor workers.
In contemporary fashion, the gilet has been adopted as a layering piece in both men’s and women’s wear. The quilted gilet, worn over a shirt or sweater and under a coat, adds warmth without bulk. The down gilet is a staple of technical outerwear brands. The knit gilet has become an office-friendly alternative to the sweater or cardigan. The gilet is a garment that has been defined by its refusal of sleeves, a limitation that has become its greatest asset.
