Gilet

The Gilet (from French: " Vest " ) is a sleeveless upper garment for men, which is distributed under that name in Old Bavaria, Switzerland and Austria.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the vest was worn as a vest under the Justaucorps. It was often made ​​of precious fabrics and forward richly decorated with embroidery. The back of the vests did not embroidered, as you wore the Justaucorps about it.

In the early days the vest was knee-length, that is, as long as the Justaucorps, and had sleeves, but disappeared over time. Of the many buttons and button holes, most were purely decorative ( "blind" ), since only the middle were closed. Later, the vest was shorter. It was enough in the end barely above the waist and below gaped wide apart.

In Switzerland, the jacket is commonly referred to as a vest. Also in Austria, this term is common, whereas the term " vest " has a different meaning. Generally any is called " sleeveless vest " as Gilet in Old Bavaria, whereas more of a sweater, but is with sleeves meant by the term " vest ".

In some Bavarian costumes, such as the Miesbacher costume, there is also a Gilet. In contrast to the knitted vest the front of vests here consists of green felt, while the back is made of black fabric. It is also typical of the red hem.