If you've been asked to "sort some gilets for the team", or you're just wondering why half the people on a building site or a touchline are wearing jackets with no sleeves, this guide explains what a gilet actually is, the main types you'll come across, how it differs from a vest and a bodywarmer, and how to pick the right one when it's going to carry your company logo.
Quick answer: A gilet is a sleeveless jacket that zips or buttons up the front and is worn over a shirt, polo or jumper to keep your core warm while leaving your arms free. In the UK, "gilet" and "bodywarmer" mean the same thing; Americans call it a "vest". The main types are padded (quilted), softshell, fleece, hybrid and hi-vis. For work, choose by environment: padded for cold and static jobs, softshell for wind and drizzle, fleece for indoor or budget kit, and hi-vis wherever visibility is required.
What is a gilet?
A gilet is a sleeveless outer or mid layer. It covers the chest, back and stomach — where most of your body heat is lost and where your vital organs need to stay warm — but leaves the shoulders and arms unrestricted. That combination is why gilets are so popular with people who move their arms all day: drivers, tradespeople, coaches, gardeners, warehouse staff and front-of-house teams.
The word comes from the French gilet, meaning waistcoat. In fashion terms a gilet sits somewhere between a waistcoat and a jacket: more substantial than the first, lighter and less restrictive than the second. Most modern gilets have a full-length front zip, a stand-up collar and two zipped or open hand pockets, and many add a chest pocket or an internal pocket for a phone.
Gilet vs vest vs bodywarmer: what's the difference?
This is the most common question, and the answer is mostly about where you live:
- Gilet — the usual UK and European term for a sleeveless jacket.
- Bodywarmer — a British term for the same garment, slightly more common in workwear catalogues and for padded or insulated styles. In practice suppliers, including us, use the two words interchangeably.
- Vest — in the US and Canada, a "vest" is what we call a gilet (a "puffer vest" is a padded gilet). In the UK, though, a vest normally means a sleeveless undershirt, and sports "vests" are running tops. So if you're ordering in Britain, "gilet" or "bodywarmer" avoids confusion.
The one real distinction worth knowing is gilet vs waistcoat: a waistcoat is a tailored, usually buttoned garment worn with a suit, whereas a gilet is casual or technical outerwear.
The five main types of gilet
1. Padded or quilted gilets
Filled with synthetic insulation (or down in premium styles) and stitched into baffles. They're the warmest option for their weight and the classic choice for cold, static work — car park attendants, market traders, groundstaff, delivery drivers stepping in and out of a van. The trade-off is that most aren't fully waterproof and the quilted surface makes large printed logos tricky.
2. Softshell gilets
Made from a stretchy, smooth fabric with a brushed or fleece inner, usually windproof and water-resistant rather than waterproof. Softshell gilets look sharp, move well and shrug off light drizzle, which is why they're the go-to for client-facing staff, estate agents, sales teams and coaches. Their smooth face also takes embroidery and print cleanly.
3. Fleece gilets
Microfleece or heavier fleece with no sleeves. Light, breathable, quick to dry and the most affordable branded option, but they don't stop the wind. Best for indoor teams, warehouses, schools, and as a mid layer under a waterproof.
4. Hybrid gilets
Combine an insulated front panel with stretch side panels or a knitted back, so you get warmth where it counts and freedom where you bend and twist. Popular with active outdoor roles and sports staff.
5. Hi-vis gilets
Fluorescent gilets with retroreflective tape, worn over other layers wherever workers need to be seen. Many are lightweight polyester designed to go over a jacket; padded hi-vis bodywarmers are also available for winter. If your site or contract specifies a particular safety standard, check the garment's labelling against it before you order.
Why gilets work so well as workwear
- Arm freedom. No sleeves to snag, get dirty or restrict reaching, lifting and driving.
- Temperature control. Warm enough for a chilly morning, but staff don't overheat when they go indoors or start physical work.
- Layering. A gilet goes over a polo or hoodie and under a waterproof, so one garment covers most of the year.
- Visible branding. Worn as the outer layer, the logo is on show — unlike a branded polo hidden under a coat.
Can you wear a gilet in the office?
Yes, and many companies now choose a smart softshell or quilted gilet as their client-facing uniform layer. Keep it smart by picking a plain, dark colour (navy, black or charcoal), a smooth or fine-quilted fabric rather than a chunky outdoor puffer, and a neat embroidered chest logo rather than a large print. Worn over a shirt or a fine knit, it reads as tidy business casual.
How to choose a gilet for your team
- Start with where it'll be worn. Outdoors and static: padded. Outdoors and moving, or in light rain: softshell. Indoors or budget: fleece. On site or near traffic: hi-vis.
- Decide on decoration. Embroidery is the hardwearing standard for a left-chest logo on most gilets. Print suits large back designs on smooth softshells and printable styles. Our guide to what decoration works on which garment goes into detail.
- Check the fits. Many styles come in women's cuts as well as unisex or men's sizing, and some ranges include junior sizes for clubs.
- Size for layers. A gilet goes over other clothing, so staff who wear a hoodie underneath may need to size up.
- Match the rest of your kit. If you already have branded polos, fleeces or softshell jackets, choose a gilet colour and logo position that matches. See our outerwear comparison if you're still weighing up gilets against other layers.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called a gilet?
"Gilet" is the French word for waistcoat. English borrowed it for a sleeveless jacket, and it's now the standard British name for the garment.
What is a gilet called in America?
A vest. A padded gilet is usually called a "puffer vest" in the US.
Is a gilet the same as a bodywarmer?
In the UK, yes — both describe a sleeveless insulated or shell jacket, and the terms are used interchangeably.
Are gilets waterproof?
Most aren't fully waterproof. Softshells are typically water-resistant and padded styles may have a water-repellent finish; for heavy rain, wear a waterproof jacket over or instead of the gilet.
Can you get a gilet embroidered with a company logo?
Yes. A small embroidered chest logo is the most common choice for branded gilets, and we can add a printed or embroidered back design too. Take a look at our branded gilets and bodywarmers page for styles and options.
Ready to kit out your team?
CentralCustom embroiders and prints padded, softshell, fleece and hi-vis gilets with no minimum order and a free digital proof on every job. Browse our gilets and bodywarmers, see the full branded workwear range, or get in touch for a quote — we reply within one working day.
