What Is a Gilet?

08 May 2026

Man wearing a gilet

A gilet is a sleeveless jacket that's designed to provide warmth without the bulk or restriction of a full coat.

Gilets are ideal for those days when it's chilly enough to need an extra layer, but not quite cold enough for heavy outerwear. They're available in a wide range of styles, from lightweight softshell designs to insulated padded bodywarmers for properly cold days. They're often worn over jumpers, hoodies or fleeces (or under waterproof jackets when it's both cold and wet outside).

Here in the UK, you'll see people wearing gilets throughout the spring, autumn and winter months. Because gilets don't restrict movement as much as other jacket types, they're especially popular as workwear.

At My Printed Clothing, we stock a wide range of customisable gilets and bodywarmers for men, women and kids. These products can be embroidered or printed with your logo or another custom design of your choice.

Where Does the Word 'Gilet' Come From?

'Gilet' is the French word for a waistcoat or vest. If you keep an eye on what's happening in France, you might remember the 'gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) protests that took place there between 2018 and 2020. In that particular case, the word 'gilet' referred to the hi-vis vests donned by the protestors.

In modern English, however, the word is most commonly used to describe sleeveless outerwear that's designed for warmth and layering. The word 'bodywarmer' is often used to refer to the same type of garment.

 

When to Wear a Gilet

One reason why gilets are so popular is their versatility. They're suitable for a wide variety of situations and weather conditions throughout much of the year.

  • Spring & Autumn: Perfect for cool mornings and evenings when a full coat would be overkill.

  • Winter Layering: Gilets can be worn over knitwear or under waterproof jackets for added insulation during the colder months.

  • Outdoor Work & Activities: The gilet's sleeveless design allows greater freedom of movement, making it a popular choice among tradespeople, warehouse staff, hikers and sporty types.

  • Corporate & Promotional Clothing: A logo-embroidered gilet can be a smart and practical piece of branded workwear, helping the worker to stay warm and look professional.

At My Printed Clothing, we offer a fantastic range of custom gilets and bodywarmers suitable for businesses, sports teams, events and personal use. To order your professional-quality customised garments, choose from the following links:

Men's Gilets   Women's Gilets   Children's Gilets

If you have any questions about our range of gilets or the customisation options we offer, please contact My Printed Clothing today and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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