How to Wear a Downgilet

How to Wear a Downgilet

The downgilet has never been exactly the apex of men’s fashion, but something in the ecosystem has changed.downgilet It’s become cool again – not because of some ill-judged association with the gorpcore set, but because of an entirely different thing: the fact that it is very warm and can be worn in a variety of ways that actually work.

The gilet is a vest-like piece of outdoor clothing, normally filled with either down or synthetic insulation and used as an outer layer.downgilet It can be worn over a shirt and either under a jacket or on its own.

Gilets can be a very useful part of any outdoor wardrobe, as they can help to regulate your body temperature and provide extra warmth when you need it most without adding bulk.downgilet They can also be a great alternative to a fleece or softshell jacket in cooler weather or when you are doing a moderate activity such as walking, hiking, running and cycling where a full jacket may be too much.

There are two main types of gilet – those filled with down and those filled with synthetic insulation (sometimes called poly fibres).downgilet The former will be warmer and more expensive, but the latter will be cheaper and have better moisture management. Down is generally preferred because it has a great warmth-to-weight ratio and is very compressible, meaning that it can be easily stored in a rucksack.

It is important that your gilet fits well and isn’t too loose or tight.downgilet If it is too loose it will lose its insulating properties, while if it is too tight it will restrict your movement and prevent heat from escaping your body. A good guideline is to check that your gilet doesn’t cover the hem of your shirt and doesn’t extend past the stitch line at the shoulder or armhole. It should also not be so close to your body that it causes a draft, which can cause you to overheat.

As a general rule, down gilets are slightly longer than synthetic gilets.downgilet However, the length of your gilet will depend on its intended use and the weather conditions you are likely to be wearing it in.

The best gilets will be made of high quality and responsibly sourced down.downgilet Ideally, the down should come from birds that have been live-plucked rather than killed by force-feeding them with foie gras as is often the case in Hungary, the world’s second biggest producer of the delicacy, which causes immense suffering to these creatures and also reduces their lifespan. A good way to tell if down has been ethically-sourced is to look for a label saying ‘RDS’, which means that it is Responsible Down Standard.