The gilet, pronounced “Jee-Lay” or “Gee-Lay” is a sleeveless jacket also known as a vest or a body warmer, which is primarily worn for extra warmth on those chillier days. The gilet was originally worn more as a decorative vest embodying style more than it did warmth unlike what we see from body warmers of today. Despite the major change in functionality to a more practical purpose, the actual style of this piece of clothing hasn’t changed much over its history, largely retaining popular features such as its smooth and tight fit.
What is the difference between a Gilet and a body warmer?
A common misconception is that there is a difference between a gilet and a body warmer, however for the most part the names are interchangeable and relate to the same thing. Although some might argue that there are slight differences in the two:
The gilet, usually a more streamlined fit, sometimes with a kind of fur:
