What to Look For in a Quilted Vest During Fall Festival Season

Young man wearing a quilted vest while holding a black messenger bag outdoors.

With the intense summer heat letting up and the leaves changing colors to announce the start of fall, you finally have an excuse to layer up! And nothing will keep you cozy and stylish at this time than a quilted vest.  

Quilted vests are ideal for any fall activity, whether you are out in the country, running some errands in the city, or attending a party. The weather may not be cold enough to need a full coat whenever you go out. However, it’s also not warm enough, and you still need a layer of protection. 

This post highlights what you need to check as you shop for a quilted vest this fall festival period. Dig in to learn more about how various materials, colors, and patterns fit into this mellow season.  

How Do Various Materials Fit Different Weather and Temperatures? 

When it first arrived, the quilted vest, made by Mr. Steve Guylas in the late 60s, was a form of shooting gear. It helped keep people warm and dry in colder weather, but more focus was on its polyester fabric, which made it waterproof.  

Nowadays, the use of quilted vests is for both comfort and style. The common materials available include: 

  • Synthetic Insulation Ranging from PrimaLoft to polyester, synthetic insulation is ideal for damp and cold weather. While it may not be ideal for harsher weather, such as pouring rains, it is water-resistant, retains warmth even when wet, and dries swiftly. 
  • Down Due to its excellent insulation properties, down is one of the most popular quilted vest materials. The fabric came from the soft under feathers of geeks or ducks, leading to a layer of air pockets that entrap warmth. Since they have an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, they are ideal for early fall, when the temperatures start to drop.    
  • Fleece As a soft, lightweight fabric, fleece is superb for warmth and breathability. It is made from polyester fibers and can function as an insulating layer in quilted vests. With the early fall having a mix of mild and cool temperatures, fleece vests are great as they offer some moderate warmth.   
  • Nylon or Polyester Nylon or polyester quilted shells are ideal when looking for durability and wind resistance. These fabrics can protect against light rain or wind and offer excellent versatility when paired with other materials.   
  • Wool Wool is one of the best fall garment materials as it can provide warmth. This natural fiber is known for its excellent insulation properties and is ideal for the fall festival season. It is also breathable and has a moisture-wicking potential, making it great at regulating body temperature.     
  • Hybrid Fabrics . Some quilted vests combine two or more materials for enhanced insulation and weather resistance. For instance, a vest can feature a down-filled core for maximum warmth, with softshell fabrics or fleece making up its side panels to make it stretchy and breathable.    

Which Colors Are Great for Early Autumn?

A quilted vest is an outerwear piece. It, however, does not cover your arms. This means you must pick one that properly complements your entire outfit. The safest way to do this is to go for a neutral color that you can wear with many different things. Timeless and versatile choices like gray, black, navy, brown, and charcoal give you many outfit options.    

Earthy tones, such as burgundy, rust, olive green, and khaki, are also safe and popular quilted vest choices. On the other hand, if you love making a statement, you can use neutral outfits to highlight your awesome brightly colored quilted vest. Consider, for instance, vibrant hues such as mustard yellow, emerald green, royal blue, and red.    

Autumn Quilted Vest vs Vest for Colder Seasons

The vest to go for during fall differs from the type you should pick for the much colder winter months in several ways. Firstly, autumn quilted vests offer lightweight insulation and are great for cool but not extremely cold weather. Winter vests use materials with greater insulation levels and can keep you warm in frigid temperatures. 

Fall quilted vests also focus on breathability and are made with comfort and style in mind rather than breathability. Winter vests, on the other hand, have water-resistant or waterproof shells to protect against light rain and snow, and some even have windproof materials. They also have additional features for enhanced warmth and protection, such as insulated pockets, adjustable cuffs or hem, and high collars.  

Worried about what you are going to wear this fall? Fret not. The fashion experts at Family Britches can help you step out looking stylish while still dressed appropriately for the weather. Come by our Chappaqua, NY store today or contact us online to speak to our experienced staff members.

SHARE:
Search