Outerwear is an essential part of everyone’s clothing, changing in type with the shift of season. These garments are indispensable in the autumn and winter period, as their job is to keep people warm and protected from harsh weather conditions.
The range of outerwear provides individuals with a suitable garment type for each season, featuring blazers, coats, jackets, cardigans, windbreakers, etc. Naturally, there are certain differences between outerwear garments.
Here is everything you need to know about outerwear.
Table of Contents
Types
Outerwear has experienced a long journey since the first time it was introduced. Nowadays, men and women enjoy wearing different sorts of outerwear, such as blazers, cardigans, coats, jackets, tuxedos, vests, etc. The term blazer emerged in 1825, referring to an outerwear type classified as casual wear.
Woven fabrics are generally used in the creation of blazers, whose style range is remarkably wide. While men wear them with pants, women can combine them with dresses as well. Read here about the wear and history of blazers.
Buttoned cardigans became popular owing to Coco Channel who disliked the cardigans used by men. The wool that’s nowadays used in their creation is more sophisticated compared to the wool used in the beginning. In contrast, the jacket was first named jerkin and was used for the first time in the Renaissance period. The fabric initially used in the production of this outerwear was acrylic and wool, which gradually gave place to other more sophisticated fabrics.
The term coat, however, has French and Latin origin, coming from the word cottus. It was primarily made of coarse wool to protect military men from the wind. It wasn’t until the seventeenth century when women started wearing coats too, mainly for riding. Today, coats are preferred by men and women, worn over different garments.
Jacket elements
Since the jacket is the most prominent type of outerwear, it’s worth having its elements analyzed. It consists of five elements, shell, lining, filling, pockets, and hood. The shell stands for the outer layer, available in various materials and colors, which can be water-resistant or waterproof. The lining refers to the material underneath the shell, responsible for providing the garment shape.
Furthermore, the filling is the term for the material that stands between the shell and the lining. Its job is to provide insulation, hence being made of synthetics or feathers. The pocket number differs on various jacket styles, as some include pockets added on the front, chest, or lower part of the garment. The last part is the hood, which is attached to the collar on the back side to serve as a head covering.
The difference between a coat and a jacket
Although both terms are used to refer to the same outer garment, there are still differences between a coat and a jacket. For example, the length of the former is bigger, as it usually ends below the knee, whereas the latter ends at the hip. Regarding weight, the former is heavier and made to be worn in cold weather. Conversely, the latter is made to be much lighter.
Regarding utility, lightweight jackets are popular for performing athletic or vigorous activities. In contrast, heavier coats are better suited for formal or casual wear in winter months, but they aren’t practical for performing physical activities. This page, http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-jacket-and-coat, reveals more useful information about the difference between a jacket and a coat.
Materials
Outerwear is made from different materials, specific in their role of providing purpose and shape to these garments. Let’s start with cotton. This fabric is soft and known as an excellent insulator, which can be dyed in multiple colors. On the negative side, it lacks waterproofness and fails to offer good wind protection.
In contrast, wool is a heavy and warm material, mainly used for creating coats. Besides pure wool, outerwear can be made from wool blends, which combine this fabric with polyester and acrylic materials for greater softness.
Leather can be natural or faux. The former comes from different animals and it’s usually dyed to acquire a brown or black color. While natural leather isn’t waterproof at all, faux leather definitely is, as it’s made from plastic. Conversely, fleece is an entirely synthetic fabric, manufactured with plastic fibers. It’s commonly used as a fabric for winter jackets due to its softness, breathability, and insulation.
Cashmere is a wool type whose quality is much higher in comparison with regular wool. This wool is taken from certain goat breeds, as it provides greater strength, insulation, and softness. Shearling, however, refers to lambskin or sheepskin that has been processed, having fur on one side and suede on the other. Shearling outerwear is remarkably flexible, warm, and breathable. The only downside is the hefty price.
Jacket types
There is a large number of jackets with specific features and purposes, appropriate for every occasion. For example, the rain jacket is strictly made from waterproof fabrics to protect wearers from rain and snow. There are numerous jacket brands, such as Stein Mart jackets for women, offering sporty, casual, and formal models. The denim jacket is casual type of outerwear commonly worn over T-shirts, blouses, and cardigans.
Peacoats are heavy outerwear garments with two button lines and lapels. Windbreakers are thin and particularly created to resist high winds and rain.
Final word
Individuals are spoiled for choice when buying outerwear.
There are suitable pieces for every season!
