We've reached that point in the year where knowing what coat to wear is, honestly, a minefield. We're not in peak puffer season just yet but a light denim jacket isn't cutting - especially if you're like me, who contends with dog walks and the school run on the daily. So if you're shopping for outerwear that will take you from A to B, while offering some flexibility, may we introduce the gilet.
A gilet, also known as a vest in the US, is a lightweight but cosy choice and built for layering. Versatile? Yes, and can even be dressed up, if a fur gilet or worn over dresses and long sleeve tees - fleece gilets or padded gilets work best for that.
- The fleece gilet: Teddy Sports Gilet, £32 at H&M
- The navy gilet: M&S Thermowarmth™ Hooded Puffer Gilet, £35
- The long gilet: Women's Insulated Long Gilet, £90 at Lands' End
- The white gilet: Reversible Borg Gilet, £46 at Next
- The padded gilet: The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Down Gilet, £250
We love a chic navy gilet, or other classic hues likes black or winter white gilets. A fleece or borg fabric will keep out the cold, while a slimline style or puffer gilet will add a touch of the sports luxe to your closet. You can even find heated gilets, if you're someone who feels the cold, but they're of the less stylish disposition.
Royals and celebrities wearing gilets
Royals and celebrities love them too. Princess Kate loves a luxury quilted gilet for outdoor playdates and casual engagements. She prefers a khaki or brown-hue, as worn in 2021 on a royal visit to Scotland.
A-List stars like Hailey Bieber choose a gilet as an evening jacket; she perfectly demonstrates how cool it can look over a smart dress, adding a laidback luxe look.
How to wear a gilet
Layering over jeans and trousers is a given, but we're into the aesthetic of gilets over dresses too. Try wearing over a denim jacket, shearling coat or a snuggly sweatshirt. We love the look of wearing a bright gilet with black, or even matching your gilet to your outfit - one colour for all. And if a padded gilet isn't for you, don't dismiss a quilted, faux fur or borg gilet.
Yes, they're practical too and don't think you can't just throw one on with leggings and a hoodie. You can, and honestly they look pretty chic when you do that too.
How we chose the best gilets
- Price: We've searched high and low for gilets to match all budgets, from £29.50 for a high street gilet to £575 for a designer buy.
- Variety: Not all gilets are made equal. The puffer style is the most traditional but don't dismiss the lighter weight teddy or fleece gilets, or the luxe-looking faux-fur sleeveless vests.
- Practicality: Where possible, we've chosen gilets with practical elements like pockets and waterproof materials.
- Trusted brands: All of the labels we've chosen are trusted brands the HELLO! team swear by; we've not tried on all of the products but the brands are some of our favourites, so quality should be high.
If you've never considered adding a gilet to your wardrobe, let us convince you with our edit of the best – and most stylish - from quilted vests to faux shearling pieces and long gilets too…
1/8
Next Longline Padded Gilet
Sizes available: UK 6-16 in curve, regular and petite
Colours available: Navy, Black, Cream and Khaki
"The classic long gilet lightly padded, this £40 buy comes with a hood and zip fastening."
This Threadbare at Next gilet is longer for extra warmth, and shower proof thanks to the hood. Available in four colours, this cleverly comes in three sizing options to be able to fit your body shape best.
2/8
Lands' End Women's Gilet
- Sizes available: UK 8 - 20 in Regular, Petite and Plus
- Colours available: Black, Cream, Light Pink, Sky Blue, Teal and Brown
"Packed with the lightweight warmth of natural down, this Lands' End gilet has a cool quilting pattern and cropped length."
Available in multiple colours, this gilet is a classic quilted buy with natural down to keep you warm.
3/8
Joules Mallory Fleece Gilet
- Sizes available: UK 6 - 26
- Colours available: Cream mix, Khaki mix and Navy Mix
"I love this Joules gilet for the practical yet stylish element - its fleecy, almost borg and one to layer over a cream knit for style kudos."
Made from a soft fleece, this fleece gilet is available up to a size 26 and available in three colours if cream isn't for you. The most popular colourway? Khaki.
The funnel neck is ideal for keeping you cosy and there's a handy chest pocket too.
4/8
M&S Thermowarmth™ Hooded Puffer Gilet
- Sizes available: UK 6 - 24
- Colours available: Toffee brown and navy blue
"I love the contemporary vibes of this puffer gilet, and how on-trend is the toffee brown shade for autumn?"
With its detachable hood and funnel neck, M&S have really thought about what makes a cosy gilet in this version. It also has the retailer's Thermowarmth™ innovation to keep you warm, and Stormwear™ technology to protect you from light showers.
5/8
John Lewis Faux Fur Gilet
- Sizes available: UK 8 - 20
- Colours available: Burgundy
"John Lewis has created this stunning faux fur gilet in the colour of the moment, burgundy. So chic!"
Layer this John Lewis faux fur gilet over dresses or jeans and a tee to elevate your look. It's a great piece for eveningwear too.
6/8
The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Down Gilet
- Sizes available: XS - 3XL
- Colours available: Green and black, all white, all black
"When is a gilet even better? When it's packable! The North Face have the monopoly on cool gilets and this retro-inspired vest is my favourite."
Breathable, waterproof and packable, The North Face gilet combines style and practicality with their retro gilet.
7/8
Uniqlo PUFFERTECH Compact Vest
- Sizes available: XXS - XLL
- Colours available: Six colours
"Uniqlo's gilet is a little cooler than the others with its round collar and quilting. I love the range of colours too."
Filled with hollow fiber padding, Uniqlo's gilet is made for providing extra warmth - and its packable too. Genius!
8/8
Topshop Suede Shearling Gilet
- Sizes available: XS - L
- Colours available: Black
"Shearling jackets are always en vogue for autumn and this sleeveless version is giving 70s vibes - would look amazing with floral dresses and chunky boots."
Borg trims, side pockets and zipper fastening make this a stylish gilet - wear oversized.
