The concept of a city jacket with integrated ballistic protection may seem paradoxical: how to reconcile style, comfort and safety? However, at VEST PARIS , we have taken up this challenge with the V007 , a bulletproof and blade-resistant jacket with an urban, lightweight and discreet design.
The result of high-precision work carried out with PROTECOP , this jacket embodies a new generation of protective clothing: elegant, certified, and adapted to everyday life .
The Limits of the Classic Bulletproof Vest
The traditional bulletproof vest remains an excellent protective tool, but it presents many limitations for everyday civilian or professional use. It is visible and eliminates the effect of stealth. It is bulky, heavy, and not very breathable. It alters the silhouette and hinders movement. It becomes tiring to wear for long periods of time, and it is put on over the head, an unnatural and restrictive gesture.
It was to address these limitations that the idea was born of transforming the vest into a real bulletproof city jacket, comfortable, portable and aesthetic.
The keys to combining design and bulletproofing
Creating a stylish bulletproof jacket requires a precise balance between textile engineering and tailoring expertise. At VEST PARIS , every detail counts. The materials chosen come from top brands like Majocchi and Loro Piana Storm System, guaranteeing waterproofing, breathability, and a premium feel.
The fitted, ergonomic cut is designed to flatter the figure without compromising mobility. Urban tones—graphite, navy, sand, or charcoal—contribute to this timeless aesthetic.
Finally, the injected zips, the invisible finishes and the absence of a visible logo reinforce the idea of invisible protection, faithful to the philosophy of the house: elegance that protects .
Ballistic technology: lightness and performance
The V007's core is a lightweight, flexible ballistic technology made from aramid fibers (Kevlar®) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). These materials, five times stronger than steel at the same weight, absorb and disperse impact energy without stiffening the garment.
The V007 incorporates NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA certified protection, the international benchmark for civilian ballistic resistance. This level protects against the majority of handguns, including the 9mm, .357 SIG and .44 Magnum. An even more powerful IIIA+ version also offers increased resistance to knife attacks. All tests are carried out with our partner PROTECOP , at the National Test Facility in Saint-Étienne, in compliance with American NIJ protocols.
From vest to jacket: precision engineering
Transforming a vest into a jacket was a real challenge in terms of textile and ballistic engineering. The main obstacle was maintaining the same level of protection as a back-entry vest while still providing a natural front opening.
The team of designers and engineers developed a system of overlapping front plates that ensures ballistic continuity across the chest and abdomen. This patented system provides the same safety as a professional vest, but with the freedom and practicality of a traditional jacket.
V007: an easy-to-wear bulletproof jacket
The V007 is, above all, an elegant urban jacket that can be worn every day like a normal garment. Lightweight, breathable, and perfectly balanced, it doesn't lean forward or back, even when equipped with rigid plates. Designed for everyday life, it adapts to all situations: business trips, travel abroad, public events, or risky situations.
Every detail has been studied to offer pleasure, safety, and elegance. Its design required nearly two years of development in French and Italian workshops, combining fashion, engineering, and weaponry.
The jacket city jacket with integrated ballistic protection
Wearing a bulletproof vest is nevertheless uncomfortable and restrictive. So much so that transforming it into a jacket offers both pleasure and a sense of security. If we take the example of V007 , to achieve this result, the work of modelers and designers is very important: a true Swiss watchmaking job.
The search for overall balance in the garment is a priority objective because rigid ballistic plates are intruders in a jacket. It was not to be allowed to lean forward, backward, or to the side.
V007 Jacket or Discreet Bulletproof Vest?
The discreet bulletproof vest remains the equipment of choice for those who value absolute lightness. It can be worn under clothing, provides effective protection, and is easily forgotten. However, it remains technical, not very breathable, and often uncomfortable.
The V007 jacket takes the concept further: the same level of protection, but in a stylish, everyday garment that's comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Where the vest hides, the V007 asserts itself. It offers a different approach to personal safety: one of comfort, discretion, and quiet assurance.
The challenge of front opening
The first goal is to transform a bulletproof vest into a practical item for everyday wear, like a regular garment. That's why integrating a bulletproof vest into a jacket makes life easier for users. With V007 , for example, we wanted to make the jacket aesthetically pleasing, easy to use, and offer a real sense of freedom: you can wear it and take it off whenever you want.
Even though the gamble was ultimately successful, the challenge of integrating ballistics into a vest is a headache. It requires a great deal of attention to detail, starting with the principle of facial opening. This challenge was fundamental because it was necessary to maintain the same level of ballistic safety and certification on the abdomen and chest as a vest worn over the head.
This first challenge was complex to resolve but we succeeded by working on the principle of overlapping the two front plates.
V007 , an easy-to-wear ballistic jacket
While the primary benefit of the V007 jacket is to protect you, this jacket is also a garment that can be worn every day.
First and foremost, thanks to its design. Its elegance, its discretion, and its lines make it an (almost) normal garment. The teams at Inventive Citi and now those at VEST PARIS have created a collection with simple, effective lines to be worn in all circumstances. Going to work, going out, traveling, V007 is designed to adapt to all these situations.
V007 is also a “practical” jacket because it is worn like a classic jacket. It eliminates all the constraints of wearing a bulletproof vest. It is easier to wear, it is more discreet, it is lighter, it is not bulky, it is not bulky and V007 is above all very comfortable for a bulletproof vest.
Another advantage is that it passes through airport security gates.
A unique experience by VEST PARIS
The V007 was born from a simple idea: to transform protective clothing into a functional fashion piece. It's because the project was initiated by a fashion brand and not a military equipment manufacturer that it was able to retain its timeless elegance.
Each V007 is made to order in our workshops, with an average lead time of 18 days, to guarantee impeccable quality. Today, it is a global benchmark in discreet urban ballistic protection.
Protecop: French ballistic expertise
Based in Normandy, PROTECOP is a leading French manufacturer founded in 1982, specializing in ballistic protection and law enforcement. The company designs and manufactures all of its own vests, covers, and rigid plates. Its solutions are used by the French army, the gendarmerie, and special forces internationally.
In partnership with PROTECOP, VEST PARIS has been integrating these patented technologies into the V007 since 2015, ensuring complete traceability of materials and a level of military requirement for civilian use.
These are the technologies that have been integrated into the V007 jacket for almost 10 years and which allow our users to enjoy a unique experience.
Conclusion
The V007 by VEST PARIS is much more than a technical jacket: it's a fusion of luxury, technology, and personal security. Designed for demanding civilians, whether executives, journalists, or private agents, it redefines the notion of urban protection by providing a new psychological comfort: that of being protected without sacrificing elegance.
FAQ – Bulletproof City Jacket
What does V007 protect against?
It protects against handgun threats covered by the NIJ IIIA standard, as well as against stabbing attacks in its IIIA+ version.
Can a civilian buy a bulletproof vest?
Yes, in France and in most European countries, purchase and civilian wear are authorized, provided that the distinctive signs of the police are not usurped.
Is the V007 heavy?
No. Thanks to its aramid and HDPE materials, it weighs only about 1.9 kg and offers great freedom of movement.
Is it made in France?
Yes. The design, testing, and manufacturing are carried out in France and Italy, in partnership with PROTECOP.
Why choose a bulletproof jacket over a vest?
Because it combines protection, comfort, and everyday elegance. The V007 is worn like a classic jacket, without any visual or physical constraints.