It grows colder and colder, at least in some parts of the country. For those of you beginning to feel the first hints of Winter, it may be time to upgrade your daily wear to something more suitable to the coming season. A greatcoat is fine for more formal occasions, but what if you’re wearing jeans and a crewneck sweater? Moreover, what if it’s not so cold outside as to require a heavy coat? Stepping into this space between spaces is the quilted vest, a more modern piece of cold weather outerwear that will keep you warm, but not hot, in the twilight zone between Fall and Winter.
As their appearance might suggest, quilted vests originated as mountaineering clothing and skier’s wear. The idea of a quilted vest goes back even further, to Medieval Europe when the padded vest known as the gambeson was worn under chainmail to prevent chafing. In the 20th Century, the vest, also called a puffer vest, was popularized on snowy mountains for its ability to keep climbers and skiers warm while not restricting movement as much as a full coat. The puffy squares of the quilted vest were often filled with downy feathers from geese, lending the garment its third popular name- the down vest. Today, the quilted vest has crept into street style, appearing at every conceivable price in stores from coast to coast.
The quilted vest is a decidedly casual piece of outerwear, so we don’t recommend wearing it with your suit unless you wish to make a statement. It makes a great addition to a wardrobe for a weekend outdoors, however, lending a layer of protection while not encumbering your arms as a coat would. Quilted vests frequently come in bright colors, so you might wish to pair it with a neutral sweater or trousers in an earth tone. If you want to complete the urban adventurer look, perhaps some fingerless gloves and a watch cap. You’ll be all set for a hike in the woods, or at least for a walk around the block.
