Coletes

Coletes is the plural form of colete in Portuguese, a term used to describe several upper-body garments that do not have sleeves. The most common sense refers to the sleeveless garment worn over a shirt, ranging from formal waistcoats to casual vests. In traditional men’s formal wear, a waistcoat is a tailored piece with a front opening, typically ending at the waist and often part of a three-piece suit. Casual versions, sometimes called vests or gilets in other contexts, are padded or quilted and worn for warmth or fashion rather than formality. Styles vary by fabric, such as wool, cotton, tweed, or synthetic materials, and by features like pockets, buttons, or zippers.

Beyond fashion, the term colete also designates safety or protective garments. A colete salva-vidas is a life jacket worn for buoyancy and visibility during water activities. A colete balístico, or ballistic vest, is protective equipment used by military and police personnel to absorb or distribute impact, often made with aramid fibers and, in higher protection levels, with hard plates.

Usage of the word is guided by context, with fashion meanings predominant in civilian clothing and safety meanings common in work, leisure, and emergency settings.