Winter clothes are made of different materials and have special features to keep you protected from various cold conditions. There are essentially three layers in a winter jacket: the outer shell, the insulating fill and a lining.
The main function of the outer shell is to keep out wind and moisture. Hence, most outer layers are made of tightly-woven synthetic materials with a coating, to allow your perspiration to pass out but to prevent outside moisture from getting in. This outer shell layer doesn’t do much to keep you warm – it’s main job is to protect the insulation inside.
A popular filling for winter jackets is down, a layer of fine feathers under the tougher exterior feathers of goose or duck that provides excellent insulation. Down is excellent for heat retention, but doesn’t do well when wet. Synthetic polyester is also used for jacket insulation – it is often less costly but still effective. Jackets with polyester filling are usually heavier and less compact than down jackets.
The inner lining that comes into contact with your skin may seem like the least important, but it actually handles most of the initial heat retention. Some jackets have a reflective lining which works to bounce heat back into your own body. Many jacket linings can also wick moisture away from your skin, keeping you dry and warm.
Cleaning winter clothing can be somewhat complicated, because different materials require different cleaning methods. Some contain natural or synthetic fur trimmings as well as leather, suede and velvet parts, which require special handling. Down jackets and irregular-shaped items like hats and ear muffs require re-shaping before drying.
At A&B, we have years of technical expertise in handling different types of winter wear items.
Get in touch with us for a free consultation on how to care for your winter clothes!