Types of Outerwear

Outerwear is clothing that is worn over other garments and serves to protect the wearer from cold or wet weather.outerwear Examples of outerwear include coats, jackets, parkas and vests. This clothing is typically made of thicker and more durable materials than the clothes worn indoors and can often be insulated or lined to provide additional warmth. Many types of outerwear are also designed with various accessories, such as hoods and pockets, to enhance functionality or provide additional protection from the elements.

There is a wide variety of styles and types of outerwear available, including blazers, leather jackets, bomber jackets and suit jackets.outerwear Some are designed for fashion, while others are intended to be protective gear that will keep the wearer safe from extreme conditions. These garments may be insulated or waterproof and can be designed with additional features such as pockets, adjustable cuffs and hems, and pit zips.

Some garments that serve a dual purpose as both fashion and protective outerwear include the poncho, which can be used for warmth or as a ceremonial garment, and the chef’s apron, which will protect the wearer from bacon grease. Other fashion-oriented types of protective outerwear are the peacoat and trench coat, both of which have a traditional look that can add a touch of class to any outfit.

The first sewn outerwear was probably fur capes that fit over the shoulders, and this type of apparel is evidenced by wooden toggle pieces in Magdalenean period European graves (15,000-8,000 B.C.E). Later, woven wool garments called casulae were worn for warmth and as a sign of rank in chivalric orders. Ceremonial outerwear included impressive mantles adorned with furs, as well as robes for the clergy.

In the eighteenth century, sleeved coats and jackets replaced capes as the preferred outerwear for men. Informal short outercoats, such as spencers and frock coats, became popular and were often worn in the same style as sleeved waistcoats. The formal coats worn by wealthy young men during this time resembled the robes of their fathers and grandfathers, and these garments are still worn today by some people who want to show off their social standing or heritage.

More recently, the popularity of outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain biking has fueled a growth in jackets and other types of outerwear that are specifically designed for these activities. Many of these garments are insulated or waterproof and are usually designed with additional features such as zippered hand warmer pockets, chest and arm pit vents, hoods that can be rolled up to shield the face, adjustable hems and cuffs, and a range of colors and fabric combinations.

Some outerwear is built using a layering system that allows the user to change the amount of insulation or the level of wind and rain resistance depending on their activity levels and the weather conditions. Some manufacturers offer a "shell and midlayer" approach that includes a lightweight, waterproof breathable shell and different weights of insulating garments that can be attached or removed as needed.

Tags:high-quality outerwear | premium down-filled outerwear