Someone explain Gilets to me.....

[Lifeisforalimitedperiodonly]

I want one. I've seen a nice pink one from Joules. But I want to know the point of them as opposed to putting on a jacket. If I am cold, then usually I would want my arms covered up too wouldn't I?
Someone please explain them to me. LOL

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Gilets keep you surprisingly warm (I feel the cold), especially good as an extra layer for the evening and in spring and autumn. If lightweight can also be used under outerwear. I have three gilets, one for layering, one for wearing instead of a jacket, and one very warm thick fleecy one - that’s the one that gets least wear as then it is like, just wear a coat.

I recall everyone in semi rural/rural areas wearing them with skinnies and boots.
I wonder what bottoms people will wear them with now that skinnies are slipping out of favour? My mind can’t picture them with mom jeans or boot cuts
Or skirts….

That said I think they’d look fine with cargo’s, or chino type trousers.

@DysmalRadius

It's not fancy enough to be branded! It was about £25 on amazon and I radiate smugness when I'm wearing it!!

Or is it snugness that you radiate?

They are great for "between seasons" when it's too hot to wear a coat but there is still a nip in the air.

They are great for having a slimming effect on large nork and tum area, especially in a dark colour, partcularly for those of us who are slim of shoulder and hip but wear out weight on our fronts.

They are so less restrictive and light to drive in than a coat.

And much easier to wash than a wool jumper.

My DD bought me one for Christmas a couple of years ago. I often use it when hanging out the washing on a chilly day. It leaves my arms free to hang washing more easily, whilst the rest of me stays lovely and warm!

@Butterismylife

I recall everyone in semi rural/rural areas wearing them with skinnies and boots. I wonder what bottoms people will wear them with now that skinnies are slipping out of favour? My mind can’t picture them with mom jeans or boot cuts Or skirts….

I’m rural and wore mine this morning with old skinnies (my mucky garden job jeans with stained legs and a stitched up arse where a branch got me a while ago). But I don’t think that’s the posey rural lady look you were after

Smugness, snugness, I'm all over both!

This is the one I have - it has three heat settings and you can choose whether to have your back, front or both heated! I love it!

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09FPW9P9R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

@DysmalRadius
That looks great thank you .
I can see me buying this on the next pay day

I find they come into their own shopping. Last time I wore a coat and mask when shopping I thought I might pass out! Gilets keep you warm between shops but not too hot in the shops/indoors.

I like them and I find I get some nice compliments for some of them.

@StrychnineIntheSandwiches

If your trunk is warm you stay warm. You don't lose that much body heat from your arms.

This doesn't make much sense. My coldest part on the top half is the top of my arms. Your core warms up more easily when you move around. Cardigans do the opposite and are much more sensible.

We're all different

www.summitpost.org/the-science-of-warmth/359562

'Core Warmth: When your core (torso) is warm it readily releases blood to the extremities. When your core gets cold your body's natural defense is stop sending blood to the extremities and keep it for vital organs and the brain. Therefore the best solution for cold hands and feet is often to heat up your core. Core warmth is most easily achieved through physical activity but increasing insulation is another option.'

I had a joules one as a Christmas gift to play tennis in. Its great for warmth and less restrictive than a coat.

I live in them. Home in the day when the heating's off, when I'm popping out, walking on a cool day - I have four and absolutely love them. The fact that they partially hide my bum is an added bonus. A couple of mine are years old.

Looked at the long ones in Next this morning, and was pretty tempted!