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The best women's gilets for your wardrobe this season
It will become the hardest working piece in your wardrobe.
Gilets are transitional wardrobe heroes that offer a practical and stylish solution for those in-between days when you need a little extra protection from the elements. Also known as vests or bodywarmers, these cover-ups are often padded with water-repellent finishes that will keep you warm and dry in the unpredictable British weather.
Some styles are more sporty than others, but most women's gilets are super versatile and can be dressed up or down. Thanks to the sleeveless design, they offer a sleek silhouette that can be layered to pull any look together. Wear them on dog walks or at the weekend, and layer them over floral midi dresses in the summertime, or pair with jeans and a chunky knit come winter. A true wardrobe staple, they'll remain in your capsule wardrobe for years to come so it's worth investing in a quality gilet.
To help you find the best style for you, we've rounded-up our favourite gilets on the high street right now from the likes of Marks & Spencer, Sosandar and FatFace. There's something for everyone in our edit, which features classic black and navy styles, luxe cream gilets and a chic baby-pink option from M&S to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe.
Shop our top picks of the best women's gilets
M&S' lightweight gilet is set to become your new staple. Crafted partly from recycled materials, it features the brand's clever water-repellent Stormwear™ technology to keep you dry no matter the weather. Plus, Thermowarmth™ technology and the ribbed neckline offer extra warmth. You can wear it alone, pair it with a T-shirt or layer it over a jacket. This affordable gilet is available in sizes 6 to 24, and in four colourways.
A smart gilet for those in-between days when you need an extra-layer. Joules' style is padded with horizontal quilting and pleated panels. There's also zipped pockets offering for handy storage, all complete with gold hardware. Plus, it features a funnel neckline for snug feel.
![Recycled Thermowarmth™ Lightweight Quilted Gilet [None]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1689178234-sd-01-t49-4770-mv-x-ec-4-64aed061cc4c2.jpg?crop=0.8666666666666667xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "Recycled Thermowarmth™ Lightweight Quilted Gilet [None]")
M&S' light pink gilet has gone straight to the top of our wish lists. This versatile style will see you through the seasons. In spring/summer, layer it over floral dresses or a simple white T-shirt and jeans. Come autumn/winter, pair with wide-leg trousers and a cosy cream knit. The styling options are endless. But, it's not all about style with this pick - it's practical, too. The lightweight gilet Stormwear technology to keep you dry, and Thermowarmth technology to keep you warm. What more could you ask for?
Lululemon's cropped gilet has become popular online, and it's not hard to see why. The cream-coloured gilet has a cinchable hem for a flattering fit. There's a removable hood, plus exterior and interior pockets. This roomy, sporty style is best for throwing on after a workout class or to keep your dry when walking the dog.
Beat the unpredictable British weather with this chic navy style from Crew Clothing. It's padded with a recycled polyester filling, two pockets and a hood to keep you dry when showers strike.
Longline gilets are ideal for running errands or keeping you warm on dog walks. Whether you're wearing loungewear or activewear, they pull any look together for a smart and stylish feel. Barbour's Dumfries Gilet features the brand's signature quilting, with a sleek funnel neck and wide pockets for storing essentials such as your phone or car keys.
From British fashion label Sosandar, this classy cream gilet will fit seamlessly into your wardrobe. It sits just below the hips for a comfortable fit, and comes with a drawstring hood for extra-protection from the elements. What's more, the padded style will keep you cosy during cold spells.
Podcast host Giovanna Fletcher has teamed up with outdoors brand Regatta to launch a colourful collection that will see you through rainy staycations and beyond. Amongst the playful pieces in Giovanna's edit is the Carmine Gilet. The bright yellow style features a diamond stitch design with thermoguard insulation and a water-repellent finish. The curve-hem and elasticated belt creates a flattering silhouette.
FatFace's Hayley Gilet is ideal for layering between seasons. It ticks all our boxes when it comes to style and practicality. The quilted design is available in a range of colourways, including navy and tan. It has a removable fur lined collar, making it a versatile option to see you through the seasons.
Mountain Warehouse's Opal Gilet has hundreds of five-star reviews. The lightweight style is water-repellent with a microfiber filling to keep you warm on chilly days. It's available in sizes 6 to 24, and comes in a range of colours including Black, Khaki and Pink. We think this gilet would be great for active days walking, hiking or camping.
Albaray's padded gilet is currently on sale, and we predict it won't be around for long! It aces smart yet practical layering, and will look equally good over a floral midi dress as it does with jeans and a long sleeve knit. With a flattering belted waist, high neckline and pockets, this gilet will be on rotation in your wardrobe year-round.
Superdry's khaki longline gilet is a great option if you want a smart cover-up that's not too much. This relaxed gilet features a high neck, two-way zip fastening and pockets. It a versatile style that looks great layered over midi dresses or paired with jeans and a sweatshirt. Buy now, love forever.
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