A zip is not a small detail on a gilet. It determines whether the whole thing looks finished or sloppy, whether it sits flat against a midlayer or buckles, whether you can actually open it one handed when you’re carrying three things and it’s raining. We care about this more than most people think is reasonable. Gilets get dismissed as purely functional, the kind of thing you grab for dog walks and forget about. But a well made zip front gilet is one of the most genuinely useful pieces in a wardrobe for the transitional months when a coat is too much and a cardigan is not quite enough. The ones we’ve selected here have proper quality zips that move smoothly, sit flush, and don’t ruin the front line of the gilet. The fabrics are worth wearing in public. The cuts are flattering without being fussy. Some are quilted, some are fleece, some are sleek enough to wear over a work outfit without anyone thinking you’ve come straight from a hiking trail. A gilet should work harder than it gets credit for, and these ones do.