Gilet

Gilet (French "gilet", from Spanish "gileco" or "chaleco", ultimately from Turkish "yelek") is a sleeveless jacket resembling a waistcoat or blouse. [ [http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?va=gilet Merriam-Webster Unabridged - Gilet entry] ] Currently, a gilet is a sleeveless jacket or vest. They may be waist- to knee-length, and are typically straight-sided rather than fitted. However, historically, they were fitted and embroidered. [ [http://www.costumemuseum.jp/french/collection/w_komono/k1.html Sugino Costume Museum images - Gilet] ] In a further derivation, in 19th-century dressmaking a gilet was a dress bodice shaped like a man's waistcoat. [Oxford English Dictionary - Gilet entry]

Today, gilets are often worn as an outer layer, for extra warmth outdoors. Fashion gilets may be made of cloth, fake fur or knitted. 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/off. Racing cyclists use thin light gilets with a windproof front and mesh back. Shooting gilets are rugged and made of leather.

ee also

* Dickie
* Jelick
* Vest

References