How to wear a gilet

For us country lovers who adore a coastal view or taking our furry friends on an adventure, a gilet is the perfect layer for those cooler times in the summer. It is a staple piece of country style that will not be going away anytime soon. Here are some style tips for both men and ladies on how to wear a gilet.

Pictured: Jak is wearing a Schöffel Brancaster Shirt with a Schöffel Oakham Fleece Gilet.

How Should a Gilet Fit?

When wearing a gilet, it should not feel like it is restricting your movement. There should be room underneath for a couple of layers while also being snug enough to keep out the wind. In terms of length, it should be no longer than if you were wearing a t-shirt.

Tip: Have a peek at our gilet collection…

How to Wear a Gilet?

A gilet is made to be worn as an additional layer for warmth. While it is common for it to be worn underneath a jacket in the winter, the summer weather gives us an opportunity to show it off as an outer piece. This means you can use a fleece gilet to give your outfit a pop of colour for the season with cedar green, cobalt blue or even a powder blue being stylish choices. A summer gilet could also be lightly quilted, like the Schöffel Brora Gilet or the Schöffel Hybrid Gilet which features a lightly padded front with a form fitting fabric body at the back. The result is a trim extra layer for breezy summer days.

What to Wear with a Gilet?

Knitwear

With a typical British summer, not every day will be t-shirt weather. However, even on a cloudy day it can still be too warm to pop on a coat. A bright, neutral coloured piece of lambswool knitwear will be a breathable but still cosy layer for underneath your gilet.

Tip: With a cabled piece of knitwear, you can add texture to contrast with the smooth gilet on top.

Shirts

A shirt and gilet are a classic combination that is well suited for the countryside summer, it also allows you to play around with colour or stylish patterns to compliment your gilet. Wearing a checked shirt underneath for a classic look that you can wear while shooting or to country fairs. For ladies, a Schöffel Lyndon Gilet worn over a country patterned shirt or blouse is the most elegant of style choices. A summer gilet can be lightly quilted such as the Barbour Interactive Liner, providing a fitted shape in the body as well as an extra under layer in the winter with a wax or waterproof jacket.