Men's Outfit Advice: How to Wear and Style a Gilet
Perfect for the mid-season and months where the weather is still on the colder side, men's gilets are not only spring essentials, but autumn and winter wardrobe staples too! They're a clothing investment that's sure to yield year-round return, in the form of plenty of wear, extra warmth and enhanced style. Despite all this, it's not always easy to know how best to incorporate the ever-versatile sleeveless jacket into your repertoire of outfits. But, look no further! So that you can make the very most of this transitional garment that comes in a range of textures and styles – from fleece designs to faux-suede and padded models – we've put together a guide to how to wear and pair your men's bodywarmers, to achieve a winning look. In other words, get ready for a rundown of gilet style tips and gilet outfit ideas. Stay tuned, and let us whizz you through everything you need to know regarding this garment... Trust us, gilets are the perfect choice for spring!
What is the point of a bodywarmer?
First things first, before we bring you all our style advice, let's take a moment to consider why men's gilets make a great addition to every guy's wardrobe. Functional and fashionable, they essentially tick all boxes, serving a real purpose and therefore meriting a central position in your closet.
On the one hand, they work as a warm outer layer, providing the perfect balance of insulation. By holding heat close to your chest, they'll instantly warm you up when needed, keeping you cosy both indoors and outdoors. However, thanks to their lack of sleeves, they won't make you overheat! And, because they're a more relaxed style of jacket that offers just the right amount of warmth, there's no need to remove them when you step inside! Ultimately, men's gilets are perfect for changing temperatures, are easy to take on and off, and are thoughtfully designed to be done up or opened at the drop of a hat, letting you regulate your body temperature and adapt to your surroundings. The added bonus to these jackets is that they leave you arms-free, meaning they don't restrict your movement!
On the style side of things, the reason why bodywarmer's belong in every spring wardrobe is because they add a finishing touch to any outfit. Gilets call for layers, and therefore they facilitate an effortless look that blends different colours, fabrics and cuts. This variety catches the eye and results in a stylish outfit that has both depth and interest built in.
Choose the right fit: should a gilet be tight or loose?
In essence, it's up to you how closely fitted a gilet you choose. Lightweight styles generally look best when they sit fairly tight against the body, while the rules related to padded gilets are a little more flexible. Although with bulkier designs you can afford to opt for a looser fit, do be aware that the snugger your gilet, the more it'll trap heat and keep you nice and toasty! Our advice is to opt for a happy medium – a design that fits well but that isn't too figure-hugging. This middle-of-the-road model will provide the most comfort and best flatter your body!
Layer your gilet over a long sleeve top
Right, let's get down to it! An easy way to achieve a layered look with next to no effort, simply wear your gilet over a long sleeve top or polo shirt. This combination is perfect for the milder days between seasons. For a chic look, stick to plain, conventional colours, pairing a navy gilet with a white base layer for instance. However, if you want to switch things up a little, why not go for a striped rugby-style polo shirt against a plain men's bodywarmer. Play with contrasts for a pop of colour, and mix and match a plain or patterned base layer with a gilet that counters it.
Layer your gilet over a shirt
Men's gilets pair perfectly with shirts, making for an ideal mid-season outfit on milder days. As frequently spotted in the city – especially in finance districts – gilets and smart shirts are a match made in heaven. Whether you opt for a plain white shirt or a pinstripe or delicately checked design is ultimately up to you – all these options partner well with a dark and monotone thinly padded or lightweight fleece gilet. For this reason, our favourite picks are navy, black or grey gilets. For a relaxed look that's on the more casual and everyday end of the spectrum though, wear your gilet with a flannel checked shirt and roll back the sleeves. This combination opens the door to infinite colour possibilities – just ensure you pick a shade that corresponds to your shirt's check pattern.
Layer your gilet over a jumper or jacket
For a spring outfit that's on the cosier side, pair your gilet with a chunky cable knit jumper or zip-up knitted jacket. This traditional look is best pulled off in neutral tones – think creams and tans or gentle greys. Combining different soft and plush textures will also elevate this ensemble, so favour faux-suede gilets or fluffed-up sherpa designs.
If it's too warm to throw on a thick jumper though, lightweight turtlenecks or zip-neck sweaters make great base layers beneath a bodywarmer instead. Our top styling tip for partnering a zip-up jumper with a gilet is to wear your gilet done-up, with the zip aligned just below that of your jumper. Then, prop open the funnel neck of both garments in equal measure.
Other outfit options include wearing a bodywarmer over a fleece jacket (just avoid a fleece-on-fleece scenario, opting for a quilted gilet for this combo) or pairing a bodywarmer with a matching or contrasting hoodie for a laidback look (hood on display and overlaying your gilet, of course).
For extra warmth, wear your gilet as a mid-layer
So long as you choose a more slimline and bulk-free bodywarmer, you can choose to layer it in both directions – above and below, upwards or downwards. On particularly chilly spring days when cold-weather strikes, softshell gilets, fleece models, or thinly padded gilets can easily be transformed into a mid-layer to supply extra warmth. Simply slot them beneath your coat or jacket for an additional layer of protection from the elements. This functionality and flexibility is what makes gilets an essential part of any outdoor-lover's wardrobe! There's no doubt about it – they're great gear to have on hand for any adventure. For a completely coordinated look that's soft on the eye, the key is to match your gilet to the colour of your outerwear.
Select the right trousers and accessories: how to complete any look that features a gilet?
A statement gilet never fails to look good, meaning sometimes it's more about the rest of the outfit rather than the gilet itself. In terms of styling tips, our suggestion is to wear gilets with jeans or chinos for a streamlined silhouette, so that the focus remains firmly on your upper half and bodywarmer. Then, home in on the smaller details to lift your look. In our opinion, heavy boots, a baseball cap, and a chunky metal watch are the way to go. It's these extra add-ons that can really offset your gilet outfit!
How do you rock a gilet? Now you know!
So, there you have it – a selection of styling tips to help you confidently incorporate gilets into your regular rotation of outfits! From matching or contrasting base layers, to the best fits and most ideal accessories, you now have all the information you need to wear this adaptable garment well.