Today I was browsing the net for blog post ideas when one entry struck a chord. The point urged their readers to think about one word and compose an entire article based on said word. If you’re short on inspiration, you could browse the dictionary. However, you must make sure that the term isn’t too difficult so as you’d have something to string along. The blogger reiterated that you should create the post entirely on your own knowledge. Hence, I wrote this entry without looking up ‘jacket’ from the dictionary or encyclopaedia. Most of this is just acquired knowledge but I’ll admit that writing a post without the rare thesaurus lookup is nigh impossible. The first word that jumped at me was ‘jacket’. In the past, I’ve already dedicated posts to winter and online shopping, but have yet to focus only on outerwear. The title reflects my current read, So Many Books, which probes the conundrum of balancing one’s reading list.

Jacket, defined

So, what is a jacket? They are items you wear over your regular clothes. They come in all colours, shapes, and sizes. Jackets are usually worn in cooler weather or in the rain. They cater to various age groups and fits. These days, finding a dizzying range of sizes is the norm. As mentioned, jackets come in various styles and colours. While many of them are plain or dichromatic, some are printed, multicoloured, and reversible. They also come in assorted materials, a key price determinant. At the top end of the scale are leather and down jackets. These are premium fabrics that would last for years. In terms of colours, black and blue are most common, while grey, green, and brown are less apparent.

Wool jackets are typically costlier than polyester or cotton blends but are currently out of vogue. Of course, most buyers would see their warmth as problematic. They also require more maintenance than regular jackets. Even on promotion, methinks they are not a worthy choice. Having defined the jacket, the care of these items is another consideration. The wide selection of fabrics begets varying means of caring for these garments. While cotton blends could be machine-washed, others have specific requirements. Always follow the care instructions to ensure the sustainability of your jackets. You could also hand-wash them if unsure.

Embellishments

Some jackets just come with the shell. These are thinner and lightweight forms that are more prevalent during spring or summer. Others come with a lining, which varies. Polyester linings are tolerable, but Sherpa linings are made for winter. The aforementioned down linings also offer tip-top insulation. While we’re at it, some jackets come with hoods while other do not. For instance, parkas come with hoods, while denim jackets end at the collar, as do biker jackets. Parkas are oversized, coming at knee length. For others, having a lining is insufficient: they have extra padding. This is usually polyester fill but could also be duck down.   

Meanwhile, bomber jackets could have a hood or not and are unobtrusive; their history could be traced to pilots. Denim, biker, and bomber jackets come in tighter fits and have shorter hemlines. Thus, layering is unwise when rocking one of these three. They should not sag at the shoulders or bulge at the midsection. As one vlogger puts it, we should not ‘enter nightgown territory.’ Instead of donning a jumper with these, why not a tee? Moreover, Harrington’s are pretty similar in their fit with bombers. They likewise do not have hoods, instead sporting a flap. While linings, fill, and hoods are optional, we should admit that all jackets have zippers.

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Branded

Brand names make a jacket. You could give two similar-looking examples and yet the presence of a brand would make a world of difference. Patagonia and North Face jumpers would easily cost four hundred dollars, maybe more. However, the same jacket bought from fast fashion would set you back a fraction of that price. I’ve bought jackets all over the place: department stores, fast fashion and factory outlets, online, and through various independent retailers. Most of my finds are true to size, but there are a few that I got wrong. Many moons ago, I bought a denim jacket from Industrie that was one size up. While the hemline was good, the sleeves were too long and the main was loose. The miscue was a learning experience. Four years ago, I bought this blue melange jacket from H & M. Once again, I got the wrong size which was a shame since it was a cool jacket.

Spoiled for choice

I’ve had my share of bargains over time. I snagged one of them for fifteen bucks online. I can’t remember the original price, but it was a massive reduction. I mentioned on this blog before that I took home a black biker for twenty bucks. It had a nice styling and I used it when we vacayed in New Zealand. Last year, I nabbed a Sherpa hoodie at Myer for twenty-nine (original price $89.95). The RRP was slashed to thirty-nine dollars, but further discounts ensured the cheaper cost. I purchased the hoodie in October, well after winter, which was the reason behind the markdown. I once had a red jacket that I bought from Jeanswest. I got it for fifty bucks but ignored it for ages as I deemed it unflattering. Last year, the zipper broke. I bid au revoir to my only maroon jacket. Since I have seventeen or so jackets, I’m all set and I’m certain that I do not need to acquire another jacket.

Whether you’re an eskimo in Iceland or a sherpa in Nepal, whether you’re stranded on a cruise or stranded somewhere on Lost, let me wish everyone a Happy Easter. While we may contend with restrictions across the board, the Easter Bunny is still welcome.