It’s been a while since the first parka jackets. As they presented themselves at the beginning of the beginning, they had little in common with today’s iconic model, which is making waves among lifestyle, sports and military outfits. We are talking about one of the most popular models of waterproof jackets, available in various lengths, colors and prices. For many people it becomes an original and increasingly trendy alternative to the classic down jacket. The way it is presented depends on the brand, the materials, the integrated technologies. But overall, a parka is warm and waterproof, built specifically to protect the rigors of winter (rain, wind, cold). So we are going to see if are Parkas in fashion 2023?.

The so-called “prototype” must be sought in ancient times. It has ancient roots in present-day Canada and was carried by the Inuit, Eskimo populations that lived in the Arctic Circle. The first parkas were made of fox, seal and polar bear skins, being thought of as a means of protection against cold and wind during hunting and kayaking trips. In order to overcome the adversities of the weather and survive, the Inuit even wore them on top of each other. Another artifice practiced at that time was to lubricate the skins with fish oil, as it improved their impermeability. The name parka comes from the Nenets language, a linguistic variation spoken in regions of northern Russia, where the climate is particularly cold and humid. In translation ad litteram, it means “animal skin”. Until what have now become parka jackets, there is still a long way to go. And we’ll go through it briefly.

The history of iconic clothing crosses the centuries, having its first appearance in the Modern Age, during the Second World War. During the bloody 1940s, creators of military clothing gave a new interpretation to the old animal leather jackets. These were dedicated to American soldiers and were made of cotton, with fur inside and drawstring at the waist (so as not to let the cold penetrate). The same parka remains an iconic piece in military clothing and during the Korean War (1950 – 1953). On the occasion of the historical conflict, the US military equips its own soldiers with parka jackets (model M-51), this time completely transformed and with lower production costs. Compared to the OD-7 model (by 1945 it had a fleece lining), the lining is missing. And the natural fur is replaced for reasons of functionality with artificial fur, just to keep the original idea of ​​the model. Instead, keep the style of the M-48 (pocket on the sleeve and heavy materials). The M-48 is a version similar to the OD-7, except that the sleeve has a side pocket. Without the warm layer, the parka becomes more of a kind of windproof and waterproof jacket, much more suitable for the oriental climate frequently affected by the passage of monsoons.

Here are some of the features that make them very recognizable today, although they have undergone some changes over the years:

❤️ Hood with natural / artificial fur border;

❤️ Standard length 3/4 (up to the knee), but can also stop at the middle of the thigh; – Closure with zippers, staples and / or metal / plastic buttons;

❤️ Rear end in fish tail (but not necessarily)

❤️ The back slightly longer than the front;

❤️ Tight at the bottom with string;

❤️ Closure with zippers, staples and / or metal / plastic buttons;

❤️ Military green color, but currently, the color is much wider (black, gray, blue, beige, white, pastels). In general, it stands out for its versatility and functionality, remaining one of the most common and beloved clothing items.

The parka is of two types: the thick winter jacket, which in our country passes as a jacket, even if it is not made of beech, and the other thinner, good to wear in spring and autumn. Both have changed their structure and entered the eclecticism of fashion, being worn just as easily, casually, as well as in more elegant situations, in playful combinations.

Before I officially switched to winter and introduced you to my winter basics, I wanted to dedicate an entire article to what is for me the most essential garment of the season: the parka. And in this case, even the hottest coat in the world turns pale next to a good waterproof parka! The parka seems to be a crime against fashion and it is (unfairly) shunned by many women. If you want my opinion, it really depends on the models and I find that overall the brands are making a real effort to offer pretty female parkas. The parka remains a technical garment and intended for a very specific use: to protect yourself from the cold and rain. So we’re going to say that style isn’t frankly a priority BUT it’s not a reason to accept everything and choose anything, do we agree? For starters, I’d rather tend to direct you to a khaki-colored parka. Khaki brightens the face more in winter, it’s a color that has this very chic I-don’t-know-how unlike black which can quickly get cheap when the material isn’t of good quality. For the model, I have a preference for straight-cut parkas, which can eventually be tightened to size. The length should be well covering and reach mid-thigh.

Parka in smart casual outfits – The smart-casual style remains one of the most flexible dress codes. This clothing style harmoniously combines comfort with elegance and can be adopted at the office, at various non-formal events, in the city or wherever you deem appropriate. And if until now we used to complete smart-casual outfits with a men’s blazer or a trench coat, this time we offer you a simple parka, worn necessarily open, over a simple and minimalist outfit.

Parka in rock chic outfits – Not only the leather jacket can perfectly complement an outfit with rock influences. A parka jacket, maroon or black, in addition to protecting you from the cold and rain, and gives your look a chic look, perfect for autumn. It’s time to bring back your leather pants and biker boots, which together with a parka, ensure a perfect outfit for the capricious autumn days. Eventually you can opt for an item with leather inserts.

Parka in feminine outfits – Are you a follower of an extremely feminine clothing style, the dresses and skirts are indispensable even in your autumn wardrobe? You can give up for a moment the coats and capes, in favor of a parka jacket, with a cut as simple as possible. Wear it with pleated skirts and knee-high boots or with a pair of ankle boots, and you get the most chic feminine outfit.

In winter, a parka jacket will keep you warm on frosty days and give you a chic and modern look. Choose a model that suits your everyday style. If you opt for feminine outfits, you could choose a parka jacket in light shades with artificial fur on the hood. In the case of more classic outfits, choose a simple model, in a dark color, with a drawstring at the waist and of medium length, in order to protect yourself from the cold and for thinner outfits underneath, such as dresses.

The parka is a versatile item of clothing, easy to match, and suitable for both the cold season and spring. With a modern and practical cut, this garment comes in a specific color scheme of colors such as khaki, black, cherry, brown or beige. You can also opt for a parka with an army print, which you can combine with a pair of boots and a pair of skinny jeans.

Undersides of parkas

Rain resistance – impermeability and water repellent

A rain-resistant garment can be:

-Water-repellent, thanks to a surface treatment on the material making it slightly resistant to rain

-Waterproof, thanks to the lamination process which consists of laminating a technical membrane to a fabric. Thus, during strong or prolonged exposure to rain, water will not penetrate the garment thanks to the action of the membrane.

Thus, a parka can be:

-Water-repellent BUT NOT waterproof: light resistance to rain, no membrane

-Waterproof BUT NOT water-repellent: in case of rain, the outer material will quickly get wet but the inside won’t?, thanks to the membrane

-Waterproof AND water-repellent: if the outer fabric is water-repellent AND a membrane is present.

In particular:

-The great match between synthetic and down

-The clo, index calculating the insulation of a synthetic padding

-The Cuin, index calculating the capacity of a down to compress, to develop, and therefore to store air.

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