THE ALAN PAINE BLOG

HOW TO WEAR A GILET

Men's Waistcoat



Looking for an easy but stand-out style? Enter the sartorial lifesaver; the gilet! A jacket without sleeves, right? The gilet is perfect for transcending the seasons and the go-to outerwear piece for every gent!

The versatile but expertly functional extra layer you can add to your outfit or remove when it warms up! They are the perfect in-between-season garment with a whole host of ways for you to style it. If however, the thought of how to wear your gilet is sending you in panic, worry not, the AP style icons have all the answers to your styling needs!

If you’re not familiar with a gilet (where have you been?) it has formally been known as a bodywarmer, straight-sided and not form fitting and are generally used to add an extra layer of warmth.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR UNDER MY GILET?

The gilet is so versatile and the style possibilities are endless; pair with chinos and a shirt on a sunny spring day, a hoodie for a casual fit or jeans and a thick jumper on those cold British days we see far too often!

DRESS DOWN TAILORING

Not just for weekends, wear your gilet under your work blazer to give your outfit contrasting texture, it balances what would otherwise be a pretty stiff ensemble and allows you to dress for the office without the “suit look”.

REDISCOVER COLOUR

Casual Gilet



Add some colour to your look with one of our crew neck sweaters, in a contrasting colour to make your gilet stand out, it’ll give you an eye-catching but not garish look!

STAYING PRACTICAL

Ladies Gilet



A key argument in favour of the gilet is its practicality; it keeps you warm but not uncomfortable and easy to take off on a whim! They’re technical yet stylish, whether you live in the town or country!

THE CASUAL LOOK

Casual Look



Pair your Alan Paine gilet with a classic crewneck sweater, a simple white t-shirt under the sweater for a casual day-time look, or add a crisp shirt for a smart-casual look that’ll take you from day tonight. Throw on your favourite boots and you’ll have a warm outfit that’ll be the end of all of your pals!

The sleeveless style layers perfectly with your outfit of choice without restricting any movement, so let your arms be free and get yourself a new seasonal favourite you won’t know how you lived without!

Designed to be worn as a layer, gilets generally have a snug fit, though you may need to size up if you’re wearing thick jumpers or hoodies. Regardless of what you plan to wear it with, the length should fall similarly to your everyday t-shirts and sweaters.

A men’s gilet is extremely versatile, pair with a hoodie for an effortless look that will almost guarantee sartorial success. A contrasting hoodie will allow your gilet to stand out, team with your Alan Paine chinos and favourite kicks!