ONAIE Gilet Review

Reviewed by Helen Noble

ONAIE is founded by two sisters who were born in Poland, ONAIE is a South East London based fashion brand that creates handcrafted, high-quality sheepskin slippers, moccasins and indoor furnishings such as sheepskin throws, rugs and cushions. The idea began in 2014 when Eve and Justine decided to promote Polish folk heritage through one of the biggest European folk festivals in the UK – The Days of Poland Festival. Held annually in May at Potters Field Park by Tower Bridge in the heart of London, the sisters organised the festival with stalls selling folk garments to festival-goers.  After much success year after year, it was only a matter of time that the two decided to move their business online, and it was in 2018 when the ONAIE website was officially launched.

ONAIE items are lovingly hand made by a team of highly skilled craftswomen in the Polish Highlands. ONAIE is excited to announce the delightful new addition to their store – a range of wool gilets with a heart-warming heritage. Handmade by a group of grannies in the Polish Highlands, the gilets are stylish, unique, and created with love. I was so delighted to have been chosen to review the ONAIE gilet after looking it up on their website, The gilet comes in a choice of five colours stone wool, harbour wool, graphite wool, pebble wool and oatmeal wool. 

The gilet I chose arrived well packaged wrapped in tissue paper within a flap top opening recyclable cardboard box, then covered in a sealed waterproof bag which can be reused or recycled. I had chosen to review the stone wool gilet, which has a dark grey main body with a slightly darker grey fleece trim. As soon as I picked it up you could tell the quality of the item by the weight, slightly heavier than fleece but not too heavy to wear comfortably. When on it has a lovely fit and feels really comfortable and snuggly warm to wear, it’s ideal for the autumn/winter season that has begun and with it been made from 100% merino wool which not only keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer (I do wonder if it will keep a menopausal woman cool though lol), it is odour resistant, dries quickly, wrinkle-resistant, and is luxuriously soft, and comfortable, if like me you feel restricted in a full coat whilst driving this is ideal for popping on when nipping about. It has a full zip front and two large patch pockets. The only slight niggle I have is that I felt the zipper pull feels a bit flimsy on such a well made sturdy item and only time will tell if it will last but they do say if the item becomes faulty within 6 months of use you will be entitled to a full refund. 

The gilet comes in various sizes starting from S – XXL there is a size guide on the website which gives you the measurements in centimetres and inches so you can work out which size you would require. The care instructions for your gilet are easily found too on the website where it states it should be washed by hand or in a washing machine with the appropriate program for wool at 30 degrees. It is recommended to use a special wool washing liquid with the addition of lanolin, and do not excessively knead and stretch, as the gilet may deform. Dry in a horizontal position on a towel in a ventilated and sunless place would be best.

This gilet is really well made, I sew for a living so I can see the workmanship that has gone into it, although quite a top end price it is to be expected with it been 100% merino wool. It will be getting a lot of wear as it is so versatile, and who doesn’t want to be all snuggly warm when it’s horrible and cold outside. Would also make a lovely Christmas gift for the person who you just don’t know what to buy them.

RRP: £79.00

Rating: 5/5

This product can be purchased from Onaie here.