There are few garments as quietly dependable as gilets and vests. Unshowy, functional, and endlessly adaptable, they are (provided you get the right one) the sartorial equivalent of a Swiss Army knife. A good gilet keeps you warm without adding bulk, slides under a big coat without complaint, and looks just as good over a heavyweight hoodie as it does layered with casual tailoring. The trouble, of course, is that most men don’t buy one until they really need it – shivering on a frosty morning or regretting that lightweight jacket in mid-March.
So, to spare you that particular indignity, we’ve rounded up the brands making the best versions. From rugged workwear styles to padded city-ready layers.
The best brands for gilets and vests in 2025
ISTO
ISTO doesn’t bother with fuss or fanfare. It doesn't need to. The Portuguese label makes quietly brilliant clothes – well-cut, well-made, and built to last. Its gilets are no exception. Crafted from heavyweight bio fabrics and the like with subtle workwear nods, they feel substantial without trying too hard. Layered over a flannel shirt or under a big coat, it’s the sort of thing you forget you’re wearing... which is exactly the point.
ASKET
Minimalism, done properly. ASKET’s gilet strips things back to the essentials – no pointless trims or unnecessary toggles – just responsibly sourced materials and a cut that works with everything. Wear it over tailoring, or stuff it under a trench coat when the weather turns. Either way, it earns its keep.
Forét
Born from a love of the great outdoors – and the Danish countryside – Forét’s approach to the gilet is predictably understated. Think rich, earthy tones, organic fabrics, and minimalist design flourishes. Their vests tread the line between outdoorsy practicality and refinement. Warm enough for a walk through the woods, smart enough for the pub lunch after.
Carhartt
No one does modern workwear (or any kind of workwear for that matter) quite like Carhartt. Its gilets lean heavily on the brand’s blue-collar heritage, with tough duck canvas, triple-stitched seams, and a shape that feels reassuringly boxy. The sort of layer that looks better the more you batter it – over hoodies, under coats, or thrown in the back of a pickup.
Patagonia
There are gilets, and then there are Patagonia gilets _ technical, practical, and stitched through with just the right amount of environmental guilt. The Classic Retro-X Vest is the one to know: big and fuzzy, warm as toast, and designed to last for years.
Danton
French-Japanese label Danton specialises in that sweet spot between workwear and everyday basics, and its gilets are no different. Quilted, collared, and cut for ease, they’re the sort of piece that slots effortlessly into your wardrobe. A little bit country, a little bit city – best worn with selvedge denim and a pair of suede Wallabees.
Taion
Japanese label Taion – meaning “body temperature” – has made an art form of the quilted gilet. Lightweight, functional, and pleasingly simple, they’re designed as modular layers – the sort of thing you can slip under a blazer or over a sweatshirt without giving it a second thought. Clever, considered, and surprisingly affordable.
Wax London
Wax London’s Whiting overshirt tends to hog the limelight, but don’t overlook the gilets. Cut from things like soft brushed cotton or recycled poly, they’re classic without feeling stale. The sort of piece you throw on over a knitted polo and wear until the clocks go back... and beyond.
Moncler
Few brands have done more to make the gilet feel luxurious than Moncler. It’s that unmistakable glossy shell, the subtle tricolour tab, the air of Alpine après-ski. But dig beneath the logo and you’ll find technically brilliant layers, down-filled and designed to keep the cold firmly at bay.
Velasca
Velasca might be best known for its handmade shoes, but its outerwear deserves attention too. The gilets are classically Italian – clean lines, muted palettes, and just enough tailoring to sit comfortably over a roll neck without bulking you out. A polished alternative to the usual puffers.
Up next, the best spring jackets for men.
