HISTORY OF THE PARKA...

This season we have introduced a summer parka in navy and sand into our outerwear casual jackets collection. The fabric has a light wax style coating that will soften as you wear it, but the crisp cotton material keeps its contemporary feel.

The word parka is derived from the Nenets language and in the Aleutian Islands the word simply means “animal skin”. It first entered the English written record in 1625.

In early history a parka was a type of heavy jacket with a hood, often lined with fur, so as to protect the face from a combination of freezing temperatures and wind. This kind of garment originally made from caribou or seal was invented by the Eskimos of the Arctic region, who needed clothing that would protect them from wind chill and wetness while hunting and kayaking.

In 1951 the fishtail parka was introduced and began life in service to the US army. However, in 1960’s Britain the Fishtail Parka took on a whole new life and came to symbolise an entire era and lifestyle (Mod). The rise of the parka lay in its practicality, cheapness and availability. The army surplus coat was ideal for beating the elements either on a scooter, or on the way to a club. Its place in history was assured by the newspaper pictures of Mods during the Bank Holiday riots.

Nowadays the army’s reject supplies are rarely seen and more fitted options are readily available in terms of raincoats, jackets and overcoats which vaguely resemble the traditional parka. Our rendition is a lightweight, longer line summer parka jacket with a hood. It has adjustable drawcords at the hood and waist, a zip pocket at the chest and bigger pockets lower down. This jacket adds that something special to your wardrobe.