http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilet
Gilet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to:
navigation,
search
For the municipality in eastern Spain, see
Gilet, Valencia. For the family, see
House of Gilet. For the card game, see
Gilet (card game).
A
gilet (
French:
gilet) is a sleeveless jacket resembling a
waistcoat or
blouse.
[1] 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.
[2] In a further derivation, in 19th-century dressmaking a gilet was a dress bodice shaped like a man's waistcoat.
[3]
Today, gilets are often worn as an outer layer, for extra warmth outdoors. In this case they are known as body warmers. Fashion gilets may be made of cloth or 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 and off.
Racing cyclists use thin light gilets with a windproof front and mesh back. Shooting gilets are rugged and made of leather.