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Original poster

Should I buy a gilet? YDo you wear them instead of coats or what?

41 replies

toptramp · 24/10/2011 21:06

There is a georgeous purple on in Fat Face at the moment. It is duck down padded, teflon coated (!)sheepskin lined and with a fake fur hood. I love it but it is £69.
The trouble is I always wonder how to wear one. if I just wear it over a jumper won't my arms get cold if it is in the middle of winter? can I wear it over a coat? I am sure it is worth the money in as much as it's very well made out of top notch materials but how best to wear?
Anyone got one and is it worth it?

OP posts:
Original poster
toptramp · 24/10/2011 21:06

sorry about typo in title!

OP posts:
MegBusset · 24/10/2011 21:11

I saw that one too and loved it but didn't buy it for the same reason! Sorry that's not much help is it...

Snowstorm · 24/10/2011 21:12

I've got that gilet and it's lovely. You can wear it over t'shirts and jumpers - would look a bit odd over a coat though IMO. I mostly wear it around the house so that I'm kept as warm as possible (underactive thyroid), without having to put the heat up too much, but I can still move my arms, which you can't if you multi-layer other types of clothing to the extent that I need them. It is expensive but I'm going to be wearing it for years and it's not fuddy-duddy looking for a gilet. I also have last year's version (Christmas present) which didn't have the fleecey lining. Says dry clean only but I put it in the washing machine and then the dryer with a tennis ball.

If you feel the cold and you can afford it, it's definitely worth it.

DaisySteiner · 24/10/2011 21:13

I have a couple that I tend to wear in autumnal weather when it's too cold to go out in a jumper but too warm for a coat. You're right, it's certainly not going to be enough on its own in the middle of winter, but if it's reallycold I might wear it under a coat!

MrsJasonBourne · 24/10/2011 21:14

I love a nice gilet. I'm just not sure how to pronounce it.

I just chuck one on if I want a bit of body warmth but it's a bit too warm for a coat. That's it really!

lesstalkmoreaction · 24/10/2011 21:15

I bought one last year and love it, mine was white stuff though.But I did wait until a 25% voucher came through the door and bought it through quidco to get some cash back bringing the price right down, so i could then tell dh what a bargain it was!!

Original poster
toptramp · 24/10/2011 21:17

aaaaggggrrr! i am going to have to get it! It's too nice not to. It will be perfect fro trans- seasonal wear methinks!

OP posts:
sprinkles77 · 24/10/2011 21:39

I have two. Though I call them "bodywarmers". Love them. Great when not cold enough for a coat, but too cold to go without. Brilliant when quite active in the cold (walking, riding) and going in and out of shops. I wear mine with a hoodie or a fleece underneath. Also great over a denim jacket.

mycatsaysach · 24/10/2011 21:42

i started a thread last week about my new gilet.(and didn't get many answers).

i like mine but i do feel i am going out horse riding when i wear it.

lesstalkmoreaction · 24/10/2011 21:44

just looked its lovely but selling out fast!!!

Soups · 25/10/2011 09:24

I love that one and trying not to buy it, if I were still a SAHM. It'd be hard to fit in wearing 2 gillets during the weekend ;)

I'm on holiday this week and have been wearing mine down to the beach with a thin sweater underneath.

Monstermuncher · 25/10/2011 10:10

Hello, recent gilet convert here adding my twopennyworth. I was tempted by the Fat Face one as well. Its very padded so I thought it would be a bit too warm (also it is ££ but you can see its good quality). I ended up buying a black one from H&M and I blooming love it - its great for the school run, has a detachable hood and was a bargainous £30.

BikeRunSki · 25/10/2011 10:19

I have 2 down ones from Alpkit. Blue and black. Wear them with jeans and jumpers all winter unless very cold indeed. Then I wear my down jacket.

stressheaderic · 25/10/2011 10:22

Massive gilet fan here. I hate coats, hate feeling restricted across the shoulders and arms, plus I'm skinny as a rake and coats just seem to swamp me.
Gilets are fab for days like today - it's about 16 degrees, I'm doing jobs around the house and running a few errands.

Go on get it, you'll be surprised how much you wear it. I'm v jealous, there's no way I could afford that Fat Face one, I've got 2 Asda George ones and a SoulCal pink one off ebay Smile

Soups · 25/10/2011 11:07

BikeRunSki do you have the Alpkit down jacket? I was wondering how the sizes came up.

drowninginlaundry · 25/10/2011 15:41

they are great for dry days when it's cold but not raining. If you get one that is not too bulky, you can wear it under a waterproof jacket in the winter, you get the protection from the elements and lots of added warmth as well.

Or over a well fitting fleece that keeps the wind chill off a bit.

Get it, you'll wear it a lot!

BikeRunSki · 26/10/2011 10:45

Soups, I don't have the Alpkit down jacket, but if the gilets are anything to go by, the sizes come up big.

PerryCombover · 26/10/2011 10:53

I'm unsure about what one does with bodywarmers if not riding out?

nogoodusernamesleft · 26/10/2011 11:20

If anyone fancies a pink North Face one, they are reduced to £65 from £110 on the Cotswolds site atm!

www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/products.detail/code/2C210011

WailyWailyWaily · 26/10/2011 11:26

I live in my Gilet, absolutely love having free arms. On very cold days I do wear a jumper and it is a bit crap in the rain :)
Mine is down filled and a bit like wearing a duvet :o

CointreauVersial · 26/10/2011 13:28

Ohhhh, I'm desperate for that gilet, OP! In purple too! I've tried it on at least three times. My mate has one in blue and loves it. Too ££££ though.

A bit peturbed to hear they're selling out fast, though, I've been hinting to DH about buying it for me for Christmas but he'd better get a wiggle on......

Mrsrobertduvall · 26/10/2011 13:46

I went to try on the Fatface one today after reading this and do like it....originally was going to get the grey, but it was a bit insipid. Am now sitting here deciding which colour...I suppose navy would be most practical.

overmydeadbody · 26/10/2011 13:50

I love my Gillet, wear it throughout spring and autumn instead of a coat. Keeps your body warm without overheating you like a coat would. On days like today I would wear two long sleeved tops, a thin jumper and my gillet to go outside. I'd be lovely and warm that way.

In fact, I have two, a smart one and a casual one for climibng in, climbing in thsi weather can be a bit cold but you need your arms free of the extra bulk a coat would give.

Sometimes, in winter, I even wear my gillet under my coat! Shock You can't wear it over a coat.

notasgreenasiamcabbagelooking · 26/10/2011 20:00

I'm a 10-12. Anyone know whether I should size up or down? Are they true to size?

Snowstorm · 26/10/2011 22:11

I'm a size 10. I bought a size 12 so that I could fit several layers underneath and it's a little on the big size, unlike last year's version, but not so big that it hinders me or that I care. I'm not sure if that helps you though! You don't want a gillet that's too small though - go for a 12 (first)!