Every winter, the biggest style dilemma creeps up on us without much notice – keep warm or look stylish? You know, we all have that tailored coat in our wardrobes that, in fact, does nothing warmth-wise yet looks so fab as you saunter into the office. Then there’s the big ol’ puffer that might make you look like a giant football, but will always ensure you’re toasty, come rain or shine.
So what if I told you there’s a way of combining these two worlds into one chic piece of outerwear? It’s the gilet 2.0 – an update on the cringey, finance bro staple – that can, when styled, right make you feel good and look good at the same time.
While there’s a time and a place for purely functional puffer gilets, like the perennial Uniqlo Puffertech Vest, 2026 is your opportunity to embrace this piece and its endless possibilities. Instead of hiding it as an underlayer, a gilet should be flaunted as the main character – a key element of your outfit that, while keeping you warm, also puts the fun in function. Gilets can come in a variety of materials like leather, shearling, puffer and denim, as well as a range of silhouettes, including cropped, boxy, oversized or utilitarian. The key to building an outfit with the gilet at the centre is not being afraid to just go for it!
What is a gilet?
Before we discuss ways of pulling it off like a street style superstar, let’s just figure out what a gilet actually is. Traditionally – and according to the Cambridge dictionary – a gilet is ‘a piece of clothing that is worn over other clothes, and that is like a jacket without sleeves.’ A pretty loose definition, right? When I broached this discussion at Glamour HQ, people shared their own concepts ferociously.
Georgia Trodd, our Senior Commerce Writer, is adamant about a gilet having a primary purpose to be worn outdoors, although she agrees they can be made in different materials. She prioritises quilted fabrics, pretty much an agreement across the board. A fierce debate around what a gilet is versus a waistcoat and a sleeveless jacket quickly ensued, before a group consensus emerged. A gilet is a piece of functional outerwear without sleeves that is supposed to keep you warm.
So now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s figure out how to style different types of gilets for this winter.
Long gilet
While everyone else is still busy looking back to 2016, I’m here trying to tell you that a longline puffer gilet from that era can indeed look chic – as long as it’s loose and oversized. Let’s keep those bodycon, mid-thigh puffers in your grandma’s closet. A puffer gilet will never look sexy so let’s not try to make it feel that way, please. Instead, embrace the volume with a boxy, unstructured silhouette that will look fab with a sleek set of leggings, thick ribbed socks and a turtleneck jumper.
Away from that questionable dryrobe look, the coat should have a square or triangle shape rather than tapering in at the bottom. And if you’re up for a bonus task, consider purposeful styling where you match the volume on top with a pair of loose jeans and a chunky boot because sometimes, you've just got to lean in.
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Furry gilet
A traditional shearling gilet can often look a bit too posh-woman-running-a-rural-estate, AKA Yasmin in season 4 of Industry, so consider pieces that take the furry texture to the next level. Like fluffy shoes, this element of volume brings undeniable joy into the dressing process. For example, fur and shearling can be a great way to introduce a pop of colour in a contrasting shade, or if you want to play it safe, keep it tonal and choose a neutral shade that matches the jumper you’re wearing underneath.
In case you feel like a textured outer layer might overwhelm your silhouette, cinch the piece with a thin leather belt or simply layer another outerwear piece over it and use the shearling or fur gilet as a scarf that keeps your whole body warm.
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Leather gilet
The prompt here is: elevate your inner biker chick with a splash of sophistication. Buttery soft leather can add a luxe vibe to any outfit, and a gilet is the perfect opportunity to do so. Pick a slouchy shape that elongates the silhouette and layer it over a bomber jacket or blazer and a pair of mid-waist straight jeans. If classic black seems too intimidating, go for pieces in more neutral shades of suede like brown, beige or even navy. In case the pieces have a shearling or fur lining, extra warmth is guaranteed.
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Puffer gilet 2.0
In theory, this is probably the most traditional category of all – but designers are working hard on finding new ways to execute the trusted classic in a way that doesn’t feel like you just borrowed it from your finance bro partner/friend. While keeping in line with traditional techniques of quilting, optimal for keeping things warm, we’re favouring silhouettes that feel extreme, including pieces that are super cropped or feature unexpected arm holes. Yes, certain elements of functionality might get lost in the process, but who cares when they look so cool? Think about these pieces as heroes and wear them over your understated uniform, or embrace the madness and pair with a pair of barrel jeans and a printed bodycon turtleneck.
Denim gilet
When is denim not a good idea? I’d say never, because not only is the fabric one of the most durable, practical textiles out there, but it’s also an effortless partner when it comes to styling. I know what you're thinking, you might not always want to look like we’re heading to the rodeo in an all-denim look. In that case, choose a jean gilet that plays with expectations like a hybrid piece of dreams. The Levi’s denim puffer gilet is a perfect example – and it will look great with a cream jumper and a tweed mini skirt for a soft collegiate vibe.
Pick playfully quilted pieces with bow closures or fun patterns as an alternative to a puffer that still retains heat but also builds a sleeker shape. While it might sound a bit odd at first, you’ll quickly realise that a denim gilet is in fact one of the most versatile pieces in your winter wardrobe.
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