Can someone explain Gilets to me?

[NoseyNooNoo]

First how do you pronounce Gilet and Gilets.

Secondly - I do like the look of them but I can't think when I would wear one. If it is cold enough for something quilted or puffy surely you'd want sleeves. I'm doubly confused about gilets with hoods - surely it really would be too cold for your arms if your head needed to be covered.

Is it that only your torse needs to be warm or is it just a fashion thing that doesn't take into account personal comfort?

I'm not confused pointy. :)

Fleece ones aren't posh. Just the puffy ones.

zh-ee-lay

(zh as in the sound s makes in pleasure)

I wear a gilet for walking dog in colder weather as hate feeling too hot when been out for a while,when really cold I put gilet underneath barbour,not a fashion thing more of a comfort/neccessity thing for me & also sling on to do school run when have been running round after dc & am too warm to wear a coat but need some protection

i love 'em. hate wearing coats, i feel too bulky but a gilet seems to do the trick. I wore one all last winter even in -15, just with a nice thick jumper under it, never felt too cold. and worked outdoors for years with my trusty driza-bone one. never wore a coat.

dh thinks im bonkers, or at least too Northern for my own good. my mum even bought me a 'nice warm coat' because i didnt have one. its lovely, but i dont wear it!!

i have a down one for winter and a fleece one for summer, a manky one for gardening and a suede and faux fur one for best. but i can give it up any time i like.

I wear one under my coat in winter, because I am always cold, no matter what.

My children love them, probably because of the freedom to move unrestrictedly whilst keeping vaguely warm.

Wow, thanks for all the responses. Perhaps my problem with them has been that I am not very active outside!!

I don't think a zh-ee-lay is for me!

There is a very nice one in Zara ATM but I tried it on and looked like princess Anne in it!

They are fab for kids as an extra layer, but if I wore one I would like a Barrel because of my big boobs

They're extremely unattractive but I wear one for work - often outdoors, freezing cold, but can't be doing with long sleeves. They're practical, which is a characteristic which usually renders any item of clothing totally unfashionable