Why a down jacket is the most popular winter clothing

How did it happen that the popularity of a down jacket as a winter outerwear is significantly ahead of natural fur clothing in recent decades?

The main properties of a down jacket that make it competitive are ease of wear and ease of maintenance. At the same time, its thermal insulation properties are not inferior to heavy insulated coats or natural fur products that require special storage conditions.

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Women's down jacket for cold winter

A down jacket is a type of warm outerwear that is characterized by increased frost resistance. Has an inner layer filled with down or crushed feathers. Hence the name - "down jacket". Eider down, arctic goose down was originally used to fill the classic down jacket.

The highest quality and most expensive down jackets still use this filler. Many Finnish and Canadian companies work according to old technologies, demonstrating a high level of tailoring quality. Therefore, such down jackets serve for many years and do not lose their ability to protect against severe frosts.

But most often down jackets are filled with goose or duck down and feathers, in different percentages. For the top of the down jacket, synthetic fabrics are used: polyester, nylon. Characteristics such as durability and tightness make them more suitable for sewing winter clothes.

Also, many manufacturers use a special water-repellent coating. Lining material: satin, polyester or silk, whose main task is density, insulating properties.

The fabric should not allow small particles of feathers and down to pass through. For the same purpose, the seams are additionally stitched and glued, sometimes the lining is cut out in two layers.

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Down jacket history

Northern sea countries, which do not have enough hunting grounds, have found an alternative to fur - the dense down of arctic birds - eiders. They began to stuff clothes, which became very warm, remaining light and durable.

This invention of northern sailors was highly appreciated and spread to other countries with cold climates. True, eider down was imported without enthusiasm, so alternatives were found: down - feathers of geese and ducks.

The experience of using the fluff of chickens or other birds failed, since without much grease, the feather fell off and quickly deflated.

In our country, interest in this type of clothing has become noticeable since the second half of the 20th century, among climbers, for whom the problem of finding warm and not heavy clothing is a matter of vital necessity. Until that time, the main warm clothing was fur sheepskin coat... Suffice it to recall the photographs of Russian and Soviet polar explorers at the beginning of the century.

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Down jacket or sheepskin coat

Initially, the down jacket lost to the sheepskin coat in appearance and a set of styles. It was a rather long and puffy coat, but over time, designers have improved the down jackets many times over, and now even a demanding fashionista and business man can buy a suitable model.

So, the advantages and disadvantages of a down jacket in comparison with a sheepskin coat:

1. Even the thickest down jacket is often lighter than the thinnest sheepskin coat.

2. Not every sheepskin coat will withstand rain and snow without consequences, but the material of the down jacket is capable of it.

3. If you splashed with dirt, you can simply wash the down jacket, the sheepskin coat should be taken to a dry cleaner and put on for some time, for example, in a down jacket.

4. An important advantage is that the down jacket will not spoil the moth. Therefore, you do not have to deposit it or lay out bags of lavender and regularly check the safety.

5. Down jacket price - the lower limit is much lower than that of a sheepskin coat, although the upper one can compete with the highest quality sheepskin coats from well-known brands.

Photo above and below - Bogner

Successful designers have taken up sewing down jackets, because now more and more people are abandoning natural fur due to the protection of animals.

Only this is funny and amusing, because feather and down of birds are used for the production of a down jacket. Do you think birds voluntarily donate their feathers in order to then grow new ones?

For the production of down jackets, many millions and millions of birds are consumed. Therefore, if you really want to look like an animal protector, do not wear a down jacket. Buy outerwear exclusively from synthetic materials.

Therefore, talking about protecting animals and buying a new down jacket are incompatible. It is real hypocrisy to wear a down jacket and condemn those who wear a fur coat.

When you dress from head to toe in synthetics and cotton, then you can condemn. Although a thinking person understands that the production and disposal of synthetics is more harmful to nature than raising geese and rabbits.

Who makes the most famous and expensive down jackets?

The top ten includes down jackets of famous brands - Moncler, Bogner and others. Also German Braude jackets.

Some down jackets may cost as much as a used car.

What made the price of these down jackets equal to the cost of a car? The quality of tailoring, materials, natural fur in finishing, hand-made decoration of the product and, most importantly, a recognizable brand.

Photo above - Moncler
Photo below - Bogner

How to choose a down jacket

When choosing a down jacket, you should be guided by the list of the following criteria:

1. Male, female or "unisex"

The men's down jacket has a large number of pockets, since men do not really like to take their hands with bags. The women's down jacket stands out for its external decor, it can be strongly fitted. "Unisex", respectively, is a compromise between the one and the other.

2. Down jacket length.

The length varies from short jackets to the waist to long coats to the floor. Here you need to decide first where and when you will put on these clothes. For everyday wear, it is worth choosing a thing that is not too long; for motorists, the shortest options are more suitable.

3. Model color

Men's colors, traditionally, are gray, white, black, brown. There may be options, though. Coats and jackets of all existing shades are sewn for women. There is already a reference point - the color of eyes, hair, winter shoes and others ...

4. Acceptable price

The price is influenced, for example, by the external finish, the availability and quality of the fur trim on the hood. The fur of a silver fox or arctic fox will immediately raise the cost of a down jacket. The lining material is also taken into account - silk, will cost more than nylon, and natural silk is even more expensive.

5. Down jacket quality

Regardless of the cost, each down jacket must meet a number of requirements in order to fulfill its warming function and serve longer. Most importantly, the filler should contain at least 50% fluff.

The lining should be stitched frequently to avoid fluff falling to the bottom or clumping when washing. The down jacket must "breathe", that is, in a straightened state, it quickly gains a magnificent shape, especially if you shake it several times.

How much does a quality but inexpensive down jacket cost?

In the category from 7.000 to 10.000 rubles, you can find quite a lot of quite high-quality and beautiful models. Here, the standard filler of down jackets is usually combined with padding polyester or holofiber, which does not affect the characteristics, but reduces the cost. Edge - artificial fur or a dyed rabbit, it looks, in general, cute.

I bought a down jacket - ready for winter!

The Russian winter in recent years has become warmer and more unpredictable. The constant alternation of freezing and thawing requires functionality from our wardrobe, so to speak, for all occasions. A down jacket is an indispensable thing in such changeable weather conditions, so it should be in every wardrobe.