Abstract: A flotation vest includes a back panel and two front panels joined to the lower sides of the back panel. Each front panel includes a lapel portion which extends upwardly to join the back panel at an upper corner. An armhole is defined between each front panel and the back panel, adjacent the respective lapel portion. Each front panel includes two layers of fabric defining between them a pocket which extends continuously through the front panel including the respective lapel portion. Flotation material is provided in each pocket, the flotation material including a plurality of independent sheets of buoyant, flexible material in each pocket below the respective lapel portion, and a single sheet of buoyant, flexible material in the respective lapel portion, the single sheet being folded to provide a plurality of juxtaposed layers connected at folds. In this manner, the folds prevent interleaving of the independent sheets with the folded single sheet.