- Windshirts
- Jackets
- Blazers
- Sweaters
- Dungarees
- Coveralls
Outerwear is clothing is worn outdoors, or clothing designed to be worn outside other garments. It can be worn for formal or casual occasions or as warm clothing during winter. It protects you better from wind, water, cold weather, and other elements especially if designed for the purpose.
Garments, such as raincoats or overcoats, worn over other clothing for warmth or protection outdoors. Outerwear can be described as any kind of clothing that is worn as the outer layer of clothes, meaning outerwear is exposed to the weather conditions.
The main functional requirement for outerwear is that it should protect the wearer from the weather conditions. Outerwear must perform the function it is sold for, for example, windcheaters should be wind tight and ski jackets should keep the wearer warm and dry in wintry weather. Outerwear should be adapted to the occasion (formal, sports, festive, etc.) and it has to suit the style of the wearer.
Example Men’s or Women’s overcoats, carcoats, capes, cloaks, anoraks, including ski jackets, windcheaters, wind-jackets, wind-shirts
Outerwear consumers expect their outerwear to protect them from the weather. The choice of fabric is key. It also has to be fashionable, soft, non-irritating and has a good drape. Items must be durable, sustainable, and easy to clean and care for.
Key considerations include:
- protection from adverse weather such as wind, rain, snow, sun, UV rays and so on;
- moisture transport or ‘wicking’ and breathability — properties that keep the body dry by drawing moisture away from the body surface, especially in products that are in direct contact with the skin;
- thermal insulation or heat transport — fabrics with breathable or insulating properties that help the wearer feel cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather;
- comfort in relation to body temperature, fabric sensation and freedom of movement;
- easy care, quick-drying, anti-static, lightweight, durable, elastic and strong characteristics;
- anti-bacterial properties that reduce body odour and textile discolouring.
