How to Shop For Men’s Jackets
Jackets are a key item of clothing for men looking to add a sense of machismo to their outfits. They also bring comfort and warmth to the wearer.
Jackets are typically shorter in length and lighter in weight than coats. They can either be casual or tailored. Many have a storm flap on the front, while others save weight and bulk by using a water-resistant zipper.
Insulation
Insulation is a layer that traps your body heat to prevent it from escaping from your jacket. Jackets that use insulation are referred to as insulated shells or insulated coats.
While any jacket can trap your body heat and help you stay warm, an insulated jacket is designed to do it more efficiently than others, by way of its design or makeup. Insulation jackets are usually made from either down or synthetic fill.
The type of jacket you choose depends on your preferred activity and how cold it is where you plan to wear it. Insulated jackets that are waterproof and breathable will protect you from snow, wind, and rain. The best option if you are going to be outdoors for extended periods of time is a 3-in-1 jacket that offers the functionality of an insulated and noninsulated jacket in one piece that fastens tightly together. This allows you to wear just the shell if it is not raining and only the insulating liner if it is.
If you are using an insulated jacket, consider whether or not it has been treated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent). This helps the insulation resist moisture and maintain its loft. A high-quality down jacket should also be considered since it can be treated with hydrophobic chemicals to be even more moisture resistant.
Water Resistance
When you start shopping for jackets, you’ll quickly find that different manufacturers use a variety of terms to describe their level Jackets of waterproofing. These include water-resistant (sometimes referred to as showerproof), waterproof and waterproofed.
Water resistant jackets typically have a tightly woven fabric, often made from nylon and treated with a waterproofing spray. These can keep you dry for a short period of time during light rain, but they will eventually get wet. Waterproof jackets have a membrane lining that keeps water out and taped seams to prevent leaks. These can be incredibly expensive, but they will stand up to heavy rainfalls and last longer than other types of jackets.
If you’re shopping for a waterproof jacket, you’ll want to be sure that it has a waterproof rating, like IPX-8 or above. This means that the jacket can withstand up to 12,000 millimeters of water pressure before it will let water through. This is a good indication of how durable the jacket will be in wet weather and can help you narrow down your options.
Breathability is also important when looking at waterproof jackets. This refers to how much air can pass through the material of the jacket. Some of the best waterproof jackets will be designed with Gore-Tex fabrics, which offer breathable protection against wind and rain.
Style
The type of jacket you choose isn’t just about function — it also plays into your style. From a bomber jacket or varsity jacket to suit jackets and blazers, there are a wide variety of styles and materials to fit your wardrobe.
The outer shell, lining and filling can affect the overall look of your jacket. Proper Cloth offers fully-canvassed and half-canvassed constructions, allowing you to select the best fit and structure for your jacket. Full canvasses extend the fabric all the way to the sleeves and lapel, while half-canvasses extend only to the shoulders and add some structure to the chest area. Filling can also change the look of your jacket, with both down and synthetic options available for insulation.
A jacket’s length can affect its functionality as well. While some jackets can be worn to the waist, others may extend to the mid-thigh or below, such as parkas and trench coats. The central front of jackets frequently features a zipper, but some jacket designs, such as blouson jackets and coats stuffed with down, can use buttons instead.
Jackets are an ideal layering item for many types of outfits, especially in the Jackets transitional seasons of fall and spring. They also provide warmth in a range of temperatures, depending on the material and insulation. A rain jacket made from waterproof fabrics is great for protecting you against snow or rainfall.
Functionality
Functionality refers to a property of an item that affects its ability to perform a specific job. For example, a jacket made of waterproof materials is designed to protect against rain and snow. It also has a zip-up front and multiple pockets.
Functionality is an important property of a garment, and different styles of jackets have various levels of functionality. For example, a bomber jacket has ribbed and cinched waistbands and arm cuffs, a zipped front, and a classic fold-down collar.
Functionality is often confused with CR and SE functionality, but they are distinct: CR functionality describes a feature that contributes to the capacity of the system in which it exists, while SE functionality is concerned with mere effects that do not necessarily play a causal role in that system.