Menswear
Timeless British-Made Men's Gilets, Vests and Body Warmers — Voted by the Community
This directory lists 8 brands that make timeless men's gilets in the UK. They are most often based in London and Suffolk. Prices run from affordable to luxury. Ranked by community upvotes.
Campbell's of Beauly
Campbell's of Beauly, established in 1858, is a Scottish family-run country tailor and outfitter known for bespoke tweeds, traditional clothing, and fishing equipment reflecting Highland heritage.
- Country
- Heritage
- Highland
Shop to visit- Country
- Heritage
- Highland
WAWWA
WAWWA is a Manchester clothing brand making functional, gender-inclusive everyday wear in its own UK factory. They work to a pre-order model, use organic and recycled materials, and pay the real Living Wage.
- Casual
- Contemporary
- Ethical
Shop to visit- Casual
- Contemporary
- Ethical
See these brands on the map16 places from 8 brands, 8 of them shops you can visit.Open the map
Phoebe English
Clothing made in England attempting a variety of solutions towards less extractive fashion systems. Est 2011.
- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Shop to visit- Bridal
- Casual
- Classic
Dege & Skinner
Dege & Skinner, bespoke tailor and shirt-maker established in 1865 and still a family-owned business. Located at Number 10 Savile Row, as well as hosting various domestic and overseas trunk shows to cater for high demand.
- Bridal
- Classic
- Contemporary
Shop to visit- Bridal
- Classic
- Contemporary
Turnbull & Asser
Turnbull & Asser is a distinguished British shirtmaker founded in 1885, renowned for timeless style, exceptional quality, and sartorial elegance.
- Classic
- Formal
- Heritage
Shop to visit- Classic
- Formal
- Heritage
Paul Brown
Paul Brown manufacture luxury ladies and mens clothing made in England.
- Classic
- Formal
- Timeless
- Classic
- Formal
- Timeless
Owen Barry
Owen Barry is a British brand handcrafting sheepskin and leather products in Somerset since 1948, continuing a family tradition across four generations.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Outdoor
- Classic
- Heritage
- Outdoor
Lavenham Jackets
Quilted jackets and outerwear handmade in Suffolk, England, blending heritage craftsmanship with modern design.
- Classic
- Heritage
- Outdoor
- Classic
- Heritage
- Outdoor
Shops run by brands that make timeless men's gilets
5 of the 8 brands that make timeless men's gilets have a shop you can visit: 3 in London, others in Beauly, Dornoch and Manchester.
This independent directory lists UK-made clothing brands, and marks those that make only some items here.Why choose British-made?
A Brief History of British Made Gilets & Vests
The words “gilet” and “vest” both describe sleeveless upper-body garments, but they have different histories. “Gilet” is French for waistcoat, and dictionaries trace it through Spanish to the Turkish word yelek. In Britain today a gilet usually means a sleeveless jacket that closes at the neck, often padded for warmth. “Vest” has a British story of its own. In October 1666 King Charles II introduced a new fashion at court, which the diarist Samuel Pepys recorded as “a vest”. This long garment, worn under an open coat, developed into the waistcoat, a lasting part of men’s tailored dress. In British English “vest” now usually means a close-fitting undershirt, while in American English it still means a waistcoat. In modern menswear, gilets and vests are worn for practical layering in cooler weather and as part of casual, country and smart-casual dress, keeping the body warm while leaving the arms free. British makers draw on both tailoring and outdoor wear, using good cloth and careful construction to make garments that balance warmth, freedom of movement and everyday use.