what is a gillet

A gilet, pronounced "jee-lay," is a sleeveless jacket that is typically straight-sided rather than fitted. It resembles a waistcoat or blouse and may be waist- to knee-length. Historically, gilets were fitted and embroidered. In 19th-century dressmaking, a gilet was a dress bodice shaped like a mans waistcoat. Today, gilets are often worn as an outer layer for extra warmth outdoors or indoors on occasion. Fashion gilets may be made of cloth, fake fur, or knitted wool, while sports gilets are often windproof and/or made of fleece. High-end hiking jackets often have an integral gilet inside them that can be zipped on and off and can be insulated with down. Racing cyclists use thin light gilets with a windproof front and mesh back. Shooting gilets are rugged and made of leather. According to Vogue, gilet is simply a French synonym for vest. In today's terms, a gilet commonly refers to a simply structured, straight-sided, sleeveless jacket primarily worn for extra warmth.