How to style our down-filled vests

What's not to love about down-filled vests? In our opinion, they’re a winter essential and akin to a warm cuddle thanks to the comforting and lightweight insulation of the down filling and body-hugging design. Plus, by taking into account their rich history, they’re now considered perennially stylish and are proven to be incredibly adaptable. Our admiration for them knows no bounds which is why we have a handful of options for this season rendered from soft suedes and plush corduroys.

Roughly 90 years ago in the Pacific Northwest of America, down-filled garments were first conceived. This was after an outdoorsman and inventor named Eddie Bauer was trying to develop a replacement for heavy-duty wool garments after almost dying from hypothermia from a fishing accident. Back then, heavy wool overshirts and jackets were the go-to articles of clothing for outdoorsmen, and whilst they were somewhat proficient in heat retention, they failed when it came to water resistance, and thus made the garment wet, heavy and uncomfortable.

Down, on the other hand, which is derived from the softest layer of feathers found on ducks and geese, is the ultimate insulation champion in the world of textiles and was found to be lightweight and excellent at keeping the wearer warm. By implementing a quilted design, Bauer was then able to make non-bulky, down-filled garments. This was by all accounts a complete gamechanger, and his eponymous apparel brand soon revolutionised survival clothing.

In 1936, he designed and patented the Skyliner jacket, a simple, down-filled, quilted jacket made from nylon, featuring two patch pockets and a zip front. It quickly became a staple for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly mountaineers. In the 1950s, Eddie Bauer jackets and vests, along with those made by similar brands, were worn on expeditions to Mount Everest, K2, and other treacherous mountains to combat the biting chill of high-altitude ascents. They were undoubtedly essential, and without them, success would have been unattainable.

To the dismay of the outdoor community, in the latter half of the 20th century, the Eddie Bauer brand shifted away from producing survival gear, focusing more on lifestyle products. This shift led to vintage down-filled coats, jackets, and vests becoming highly sought after in the second-hand market, and we take pride in having acquired a few over the years, as they serve as the inspiration for some of our down-filled garments, particularly vests.

For the past few autumn/winter seasons, we have offered down-filled vests as they are essential elements of a versatile wardrobe. In typical Valstar fashion, we have retained the essence of classic down-filled vests without overhauling the design, instead, elevating them by introducing premium materials.

For example, the Yosemite vest, the name of which is a nod to the great outdoors, is constructed with a quilted goat suede exterior and goose-down padded lining. It’s then finished with a shearling collar for extra warmth and snap buttons. It comes available in a rich yolk tone which will add a needed pop of colour to the autumn/winter season.

The corduroy vest, enhanced with a touch of elastane for increased comfort and durability, is available in a wide range of rich colors, including mushroom, burgundy, navy, and greige. These tones harmonise with other autumnal colors seamlessly, though you can just as easily pair them with blues and greys for a more urban look, and feature western-inspired details like the yoke on the shoulders, a shearling trim collar, and snap buttons.

For those cold days when there’s no chance of rain, a down-filled vest is arguably all you may need. You can throw it on without much thought and easily layer it with your wardrobe. They are the embodiment of winter warmth and timeless style, and as with every Valstar garment, our down-filled vests are 100% Made in Italy.

Explore down-filled styles