Key Fashion Trend: Men’s Gilets
We all love a great big winter coat but, as anyone who has ever had to squeeze themselves into the sweaty confines of public transport during rush hour will know, they are not always terribly practical. Thankfully, the gilet is back this season, providing a stylish yet comfortable halfway-house between knitwear and outerwear, as well as the opportunity to look like a catalogue model from the early 1990s.
Ridley Gilet: £98 crewclothing.co.uk
I’m joking, of course – all past negativity surrounding the humble gilet has long since disappeared, or at least temporarily been forgotten. Unless you’re planning on wearing your gilet with a baseball cap – in which case the gilet is the least of your problems – then you’re guaranteed to look right on trend. This item of clothing is relatively unique in that it fuses both fashion and practicality – something which I rarely encourage. However, if you are keen to keep warm (and seeing as it’s nearing winter, the chances are that you will be), then it’s all in the padding. When it comes to warmth, wearing a down-filled gilet is not dissimilar to wrapping a feather duvet around your torso – an enjoyable prospect on an icy winter’s day, I’m sure you’ll agree. Whilst gilet colour should always be considered in relation to the items worn beneath it, it is worth remembering that red is a key colour this season – and if you can manage not to look like you are wearing a lifejacket, this is undoubtedly option which is will look right on trend.
Left to right: Criminal Damage Chipper Gillet Stone Cream: £50 mainlinemenswear.co.uk; Penfield Green Tweed Leather Yoke Stapleton Gilet: £215 my-wardrobe.com
If you want to make absolutely sure that everyone knows you are wearing this season’s gilet, and not simply something you dug out of the loft from years gone by, then opt for one with distinctive yoke detailing, which can be essential in creating a look which is effortlessly up-to-date. For those with a penchant for pockets, the gilet is something of a godsend; like I said, practical. Lastly, this item also provides the perfect platform to exploit some of this season’s trendiest looks without, y’know, overdoing it. If you’re keen to try tweed, for example, but want to simply create an air of farmer-chic rather than looking like you might genuinely own livestock, then the gilet is a good way to incorporate just a touch of this trend into your overall look.
