In spite of some blanks, I thought Woof's thread worth reviving, especially now I'm out and about on foot a great deal. 
I first bought a down vest/gilet about a dozen or so years ago.  I think it was, I don't know, a kind of beige-like colour.  I'm fairly certain it had some connection with ski-ing.  I doubt if it was worn very often and got binned. 
Now - to the thin, Sloane-like quilted jacket mentioned early on in the thread.  I have one (Made In England) that probably works best between a flannel shirt and jumper and, say, a duffle coat. 
But the 'Bonfire Of The Vanities'-style thermal jackets are currently all over the place, some of them worn below the (often attractive female) knee.  Ladies only, I think.  Their menfolk sport something that simply covers the upper body.  The ladies often wear hats with pom-poms. 
Wouldn't be seen dead in one.  Nor North Face.  The closest I came to that kind of thing was an American-made ski parka, given to me by my father in 2011.  L.L. Bean. 
But, if I see one, I shall certainly buy another down vest for winter. 
I fully understand Woof's reservations, however.

Also a great many personalized number plates around here.  A lot of sunglasses pushed up onto the forehead.  Sometimes a bit of casual gum chewing.  They sometimes have obscure breeds of dogs running around: often called Mabel or Ethel.  I'll look out for the badges.  Stone Island was still big around here until a year or so ago, worn by the more vacant hooligans.  I seem to remember reading that the police were onto Stone Island pretty sharpish as a football violence item. 
All I wear with this quilted jacket is Levis and slightly bouncy Converse.