gilets

Love them
Have become a wardrobe staple.
I wear cotton traders fleece type over long sleeved top most days.
It is a good way of layering up (IMO)

As another poster pointed out they are good for driving in (no bulk),
just pop a coat on over the top when getting out of the car.
In cold weather it is an extra player of warmth again without the bulk.

In spring if we ever get one when it is too hot for coat I wear a normal type gilet over jumper.

In summer its an extra layer over a T shirt.

Early Autumn again a gilet with a long sleeved top

Can't bear a cold back.
It is important according to my late father to keep ones kidneys warm

I agree Baggs - they are neither fish nor fowl nor good red meat as my Grandma used to say. I have one and never wear it.

My late DH used to wear one sometimes but he was never cold and did not wear a winter coat. I can't see the point. If you are cold enough to need something on, your arms need to be covered. For times you need a light covering without bulk, such as driving or gardening, a fleece is best.

I asked Dh (who has a couple of them) and he says it’s all to do with physiology! They keep your core warm, therefore blood doesn’t rush to your centre and extremities stay warm. I don’t wear them as I would def look like a very short Michelin man!

I have got about 6 I think. Three I knitted myself and I wear them in the house they keep my shoulders warm. I also wear them under a coat if its freezing outside.

I don't wear the padded style, which everyone you see seems to wear all the time- even babies

I've never seen the point of gilets. What about keeping arms warm?

They keep your core warm, therefore blood doesn’t rush to your centre and extremities stay warm
See, that's exactly what I said upthread. At least, that's what I said my daughter said, haha! But it doesn't work for me, I've tried and I still need my arms covered as well.

Thanks Greyduster, just tried fishing vests and they are just what OH wants! By the way been out all day so only just read your reply so sorry for the late response.

Just spent two hours working in the garden wearing a gilet! A jacket would have been too warm, as lots of energy was being expended and nothing over my jumper would have been too cold.
Ideal.

I've never found sleeves to be an encumbrance that restrict my arm movements. I reckon those who do must be wearing sleeves that are too tight, or something. Just been scything wearing two long-sleeved cotton Tshirts and an acrylic jumper. None of my movements, which needed to be loose and wide, were compromised.

I get the core heat thing but my extremities feel the cold very easily. With layers such as I had on today I can just peel off one at a time if I get too warm. I didn't. Max temp was only about 7° while I was out there. Wore a hat too. And gloves.

No problem, Hazbeen! ?

I love mine. Have worn them in the house a lot lately as an extra layer to keep my back warm. Arms have been ok. ?

I love gilets and have two down ones. I feel the cold and have been known to wear one over a jumper plus a padded jacket on top. So if you see a Michelin woman walking down the street it's me!

I have 3, and live in them in winter, particularly my Joules one. I'll always have a long sleeved top or jumper on, too.
I love them.

If my arms are cold, I feel cold!

We can decry them or attempt to justify them until we are blue in the face, no one will convince anybody otherwise, so surely this is going nowhere as it’s a matter of opinion.

True Maw, but I think that could be said of lots of things for which our opinions are asked on GN. It’s nice to find out peoples’ thoughts, though.

But it’s like Marmite isn’t it?

I have Reynaud's Syndrome, which affects my fingers so I am another that needs sleeves. Even my vests have sleeves.

??*Maw*.

Spot on MawBroon

And Mapleleaf while it can be informative to know what other people are thinking, there are times (I’m sure you agree) that it’s not always ‘nice’.

We’re only talking how people feel about an item of clothing so I’ll say I find them useful for gardening, mucking out and other mucky tasks I might carry out when it’s cold.

Quite true, OldMeg.

I have four thick Puffa gilets, one a size larger than the others and two thin 'equestrian' quilted ones, I absolutely love them. It's my shoulders and neck that feel the cold so a gilet keeps the chill off. I like my arms to be free when I'm working outside, and even in warm weather over a t-shirt it's handy to have pockets for my phone, keys and tissues. I can wear the biggest Puffa over a jacket or fleece. Oh I also have a reflective/fluorescent gilet for running or dog-walking on the road!

My husband has one that he wears if he's working in the garage. It allows him to have more flexibility to work rather than wearing a bulky coat. Also he might wear it under a jacket if its colder and he's walking the dog.

I think they have their place.

I couldn't have done without my fleecy one this morning. DH was doing a plumbing job outside (frost damage) which involved me passing him whatever he wanted WHEN he wanted it!!

I hate standing around. It wasn't cold enough for a jacket but a jumper wasn't quite enough and I can't bear my back being cold.

I'm like a horse at this time of the year. I need some sun on my back!