The five best gilets for men this winter

There’s no doubt about it, the gilet is no longer reserved for the side of a football pitch or the trading room floor. It has officially broken through into the mainstream and it’s top of this winter’s must-have list for men.

There’s no hard-and-fast rule about how to wear your gilet on the streets of London. It can be a statement part of the outfit, or a secret layer tucked away for extra warmth. This list has them both – and everything in between. 

Stylish, oversized workwear vests, cosy shearling hugs, puffy athleisure looks and practical down gilets that can be hidden underneath a stylish overcoat.

Whatever look you’re going for, here’s our top five gilets for this winter. 

Best for: A stylish workwear look

Levi’s Sansome Vest, £70

Let’s start with a gilet that’s unapologetic in its gilet-ness. This utility-inspired vest from Levi’s is designed to be a focal point of your outfit. It’s a relaxed fit like you’d expect from Levi’s, is filled and lined for warmth and yet somehow is still nice and slim fitting.

You’ll see lots of people wearing it’s estranged brother, the Carhartt Classic Vest, but we prefer this one for its contrasting collar and much more affordable price.

Best for: The workwear style with extra-warmth

Finisterre Berings Gilet, £125

This one is very similar in style to the vests from Levi’s and Carhartt, but it’s made for much tougher conditions. The lining of this workwear gilet is a deep pile fleece, protected by an outer made from heavy duty 100% organic cotton duck canvas that’s water resistant. And as with all Finisterre products, the sustainability credentials are pretty immaculate.

If pockets are something that will sway you, this one’s got four of them. There’s a rib collar just like in the Levi’s, so it looks good with a hoodie and can be tucked underneath an overcoat in the depths of winter.

Best for: Underneath an overcoat

Danton Inner Down Vest, £179

Talking of gilets that look good underneath overcoats, the Danton Inner Down Vest is designed just for that. It’s lightweight but extra warm. The collar is rounded, discrete, and can be folded into whatever shape you need.

Having said that, the modern silhouette makes it a great look in its own right. It’s effortless over a sweatshirt or hoodie on a cooler day. The price reflects the quality here so if you’re willing to spend a little more you’ll have something very versatile and get a lifetime of warmth out of it.

Best for: A modern classic that’s cosy and windproof

Men’s Classic Retro-X® Fleece Vest, £160

You can’t walk anywhere in London without spotting a Patagonia Retro-X Fleece or vest, and they’re a firm favourite for a reason.

Cosy on the outside and in, the recycled fluffy fleece outer is sealed with a bonded windproof mesh backer to keep your core warm in cool and windy conditions.

The vintage style with chest pocket is now iconic, so if you’re looking for a true modern classic this is a sure win.

Best for: Alpine adventures or the general bleak midwinter

Arc’Teryx Cerium Vest, £280

This is the most technical gilet on the list, so no surprises that it’s also the priciest. In fact, you can’t get much warmer than this gilet with 850 fill down (most sit at 550, and the highest rating on the scale is 900). 

It’s ultra-lightweight so easily stashed in a pack for ski trips, cold hikes and pretty much any outdoor activity you can think of. The outer isn’t water resistant though, so this one is made to stay hidden in cold, wet conditions or worn over other layers on cold, dry days.