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What Is a Gilet?

by XiaoBo 31 Oct 2023

A gilet is a sleeveless garment that can be worn under outerwear and a jacket as a three-piece suit or as a full-fledged insulated item. Warm gilets filled with syntepon or feather down are worn in autumn or spring over sweatshirts and hoodies.  

In some cultures, the gilet is part of the traditional costume.  

The materials of construction vary depending on the type. While part of the classic men's suit is sewn from wool or synthetics, signal gilets are made from nylon, blended fabric and other practical wear-resistant materials. The basis of insulated models is a durable jacket fabric with windproof impregnations.  

Gilet was originally an attribute of business style, which decisively migrated to other stylistic directions. It is perfectly combined with dresses, skirts, jeans, shorts and other basic closet items.  

In the XIX century, the gilet played the role of a corset, tightening and visually lengthening the figure. With the spread of pocket watches in gilets appeared a special pocket for their storage and attachment to the chain. The classic gilet has a satin back and a varying number of buttons. It has a different depth of neckline. It is usually single-breasted, but can be double-breasted (also with an offset side buckle).

History of Gilet

The first mention of this type of clothing is associated with French jesters. They wore sleeveless jackets, which they called "gilet" among themselves. According to another version of the origin of the name, the first French master who sewed the gilet was called Gilet.  

Today, there is no consensus on how the name of the thing occurred, but we can say for sure that it gradually attracted the attention of many people around the world.  

For a long time, the gilet was a garment for the military. Then it began to be worn by rich men, decorating the thing with beautiful embroideries and expensive buttons. The item also entered the closet of letter carriers. They put on a gilet to keep warm while travelling long distances to deliver mail.  

Women were the first to wear toiletries over other clothes. It not only complemented their image, but also protected them from the cold.  

In the 19th century, the thing again came into fashion in European countries. Over time, the appearance of the gilet has changed more than once. And not only the fabric and color, but also the neckline, the shape of the pockets and buttons were changed.  

In the 20th century, the clothes became an integral part of the police uniform, and then gained popularity among bikers. Especially fashionable for them were considered models of their leather, decorated with rivets and patches.  

Today, the gilet is an element of both women's and men's closets. Fashion for them has not passed, and recently, on the contrary, there has been an unprecedented interest.
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Advantages of Gilets

Gilets have a number of undeniable advantages:  

1. versatility – clothes are suitable for people of any age, it is appropriate to wear them in the office or use them for recreation;
2. hides figure flaws – visually gilets pull out and narrow the silhouette;
3. perfectly protects from bad weather - insulated models are suitable for wearing even in winter;
4. A wide range of models – the gilet is characterized by a wide variety of shades and materials;
5. affordable price.
6. Hypoallergenicity
7. high quality and safety
8. Simple and easy care
9. durability
10. High wear resistance and resistance to various physical and mechanical influences
11. Convenience and maximum comfort in wear – these products can be used every day
12. Perfectly change the usual image of a person
13. Provide a marvelous appearance, so your person is guaranteed to attract attention at any festive or celebratory event.

Types of Gilet

A classic gilet is sewn from cashmere or woolen suit fabric and worn under a jacket over a shirt. Traditionally, it should cover the belt so as not to look too short.  

Leather and denim gilets are a variation of the classic gilet on a looser theme. In the case of leather, it is important that it is made of quality material and stitched with strong threads. Suede models are especially popular.  

Knitted sleeveless - a sweater usually worn over a shirt, a fashion that came from English professors and students. It has a characteristic geometric pattern on the front, and although it used to be worn mainly by men, it is now a unisex item.  

Warmed gilet – outerwear for men, women and children, worn over sweaters and sweatshirts. Insulated with a relatively thin layer of syntepon or feather down mixture, suitable for the off-season.  

All these are variations of everyday clothing. Signal gilets, workwear with bright colors or reflective stripes, thanks to which a person can be easily distinguished even in the dark, stand out.

How To Care For Your Gilets?

Since gilets are made of different materials, then, first of all, it is necessary to carefully study the information from the manufacturer indicated on the label of the product. It is here that all the basic rules for care are found.  

Clothing can be washed both manually and in a machine. The main thing is to choose the right temperature mode of water. It should not exceed 35 degrees. For washing, it is recommended to use gentle detergents, but bleaches should be discarded as they destroy the fibers.  

After washing, it is best to put the gilet in a basin so that the water completely drains. Clothes are dried on a towel or blanket in a horizontal position. Articles made of synthetics can be hung on hangers.  

Items can be ironed with an iron. All modern models of the device are equipped with special modes of operation, so for ironing it is worth switching the iron to the optimal mode according to the type of fabric.  

In gilets, you can do sports, rest and go to work, while feeling as comfortable as possible. This comfortable thing is great for people of different ages. Currently, clothing stores have a wide selection of these products, which have a variety of colors, as well as styles and designs. Gilets can be found in almost any closet, both men and women.

How To Wear a Gilet?

Current trends in the style of the 90s again dictate that the gilet becomes an indispensable element of the closet for business sets, informal events or outdoor activities. Gilets are worn instead of a top or blouse, as part of a uniform suit, in combination with pants or skirts. Super-short or, on the contrary, elongated models prevail, including poncho gilets, tunic gilets, gilet-dresses or gilet-coats.  

Shortened gilets can be worn as a cropped top or over knitted dresses, such a set expressively emphasizes the figure. The combination of a shortened gilet and a long jacket looks especially effective. Inimitable charms have short knitted gilets with relief texture, which are organically combined with T-shirts, blouses, longsleeves. You can complement the image with classic shoes, loafers, loafers or sneakers and sneakers.  

Gilets length up to mid-thigh, up to the knee or even below become a full-fledged piece of clothing that replaces the tunic, sundress or dress, as well as harmoniously combined with turtlenecks, sweaters, T-shirts. You can add a mini-skirt, shorts or, on the contrary, pants and jeans of maximum length to balance the composition and create a graceful, dynamic silhouette. On the trend are cape gilets without buttons or buttons, which do not fasten, but at the same time create a graceful silhouette.  

Exaggerated forms prevail: super-short or elongated models, very tight or loose cut, neutral, restrained or contrasting, even acidic colors. Gilets often copy other items of clothing: coats, jackets with lapels, tunics or dresses with a belt. Still popular worn directly on the body: gilet tops, gilet corsets, which look provocative and in combination with long jeans or pants form a sensual, liberated image.  

Organically complement glamorous evening outfits satin or lace gilets complete with jewels or jewelry, they are often decorated with sequins, rhinestones, embroidery.  

Denim gilet embodies a real renaissance of fashion at the turn of the century, it reminds me of the era of supermodels and virtuoso commercials. Although stylists have long criticized ripped jeans, this texture remains relevant, which applies to gilets as well. You can also try "boiled" versions of tie-dye with divorce and scuff effect. We advise you to choose shortened models for a grunge, fusion or biker style look with rivets, chains, patches and other decorative elements.  

Fur gilets made of synthetic, recycled materials, most often imitating the natural texture, are necessarily present in the fashion list. Quilted gilets with insulation made of syntepon, hollofiber or other microfiber fillers have confidently moved from the tourist sphere to fashionable catwalks and have become an unusual element of everyday urban style. They are successfully combined with jeans, pants and any kind of footwear, including boots or boots with thick fluted soles: martins, chelsea, hikers, trekking boots.
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