Men's demi-season parkas: what are they and how to choose?

Around the 60s of the last century, the innovation was noticed in Great Britain and improved by representatives of the youth subculture popular in those years. It is thanks to them that the men's demi-season parka has gained such popularity all over the world.

The first parks (also called "Alaska") appeared in America in the first half of the twentieth century... Like many other useful inventions - thanks to the needs of the military. Coats were insulated, functional pockets, deep and comfortable hoods were added.

The peculiarity of parks is that they are made of well-ventilated materials that can retain heat for a long time, and the top layer is predominantly waterproof and perfectly protects from rain or snow... It is equally important that a parka (both for winter and for the autumn-spring season) will suit a man of any age and any style preference.

Formally, "Alaska" is a modified jacket. Let's take a look at the main distinctive features.

• Fit and length. Parkas are always straight cut, elongated and should cover the thighs at least to the middle.
• The size. Alaska brands worldwide often indicate the size on the label is smaller than the actual size of the product (on the label M, and the actual size is L). The thing is that a parka for men should be oversized, so that you can put on a warm sweater and wear a parka in winter.
• Textile. For parks, high-quality dense materials are always used that have a water-repellent effect, easily cleaned of dirt. Usually, when sewing, they prefer dark colors: black, brown, burgundy, khaki, dark blue or protective color.
• Finishing. More precisely, its absence: for a parka jacket, only comfortable zippers, buttons or buttons are used, the maximum is fur trim on the hood.
• Pockets. In the right parks, they are quite large and functional, they can be indoor.

Men prefer parkas to ordinary jackets for several reasons: these are clothes that are always warm and comfortable; optimal length protects well from cold and wind; in the park you can feel stylish and courageous at any time of the year.

The cost of a quality parka will be higher than the cost of a jacket due to the use of high quality materials designed to protect against cold, wind and precipitation. Therefore, when choosing a new thing, you should not rush - it is better to spend a little more time and patience to choose an Alaska jacket that you will successfully wear for several seasons.

When choosing a parka, pay attention to important details.

• The material from which the jacket is sewn. How dense it is, easily soiled, whether the seams are well stitched. Take a closer look at the color scheme: for the fall-winter season, it is better to choose dark colors that will be minimally dirty.

• The quality of the fasteners. "Alaskans" tend to have a strong zipper, additionally protected by a strap with Velcro or buttons, less often with buttons (due to their less practicality). Pay attention to how the fasteners are sewn into the product, and also check with the manufacturer if they have a product repair service. As a rule, when buying parkas directly from a well-known brand, you get a guarantee, according to which you can repair or replace the jacket at no additional cost in cases of faulty fasteners or if another manufacturing defect is found.

• Hood. This is one of the most important details of "Alaska": the hood should be quite spacious, deep and equipped with comfortable drawstrings to protect from the wind. In demi-season parkas for men, it can be sewn into the back of the product - it looks stylish when the hood is raised, but not very practical in cases of bad weather.

• Length and size. Take a closer look at oversized models - it is less likely that your suit or shirt will wrinkle under the jacket, and there is also the opportunity to pry on a voluminous sweater for better heat retention. If you lead a fairly active lifestyle, spend a lot of time outdoors, take a closer look at mid-thigh parks. This is the best option that will preserve the heat of your body well and will not hinder your movements. Such jackets are well suited not only for city walks or everyday wear, but also for active sports activities both in autumn and winter.

If your usual style is casual or a little more strict smart-casual, then when choosing a parka jacket you should rely only on your own preferences and the comfort of the product. Despite the clearly defined characteristics of the parkas, you can find a lot of interesting models that allow you to show your personality.

You can combine the park with your favorite jeans, straight or slightly tapered trousers.

As for the top of the ensemble with the park - Feel free to choose jumpers, longsleeves, shirts and jackets that you like. Whether monochromatic or combining several shades, with or without patterns, the parka will perfectly shade and complement any of your looks.

When choosing shoes, there are also no special criteria. - "Alaska" looks great both with classic boots or shoes, and with more sporty (Timberlands, high-top sneakers) or informal models (Martins, etc.).

If the combination of a parka with a business style seems to you a dubious decision, then it's time to debunk this myth! The parka is perfect for everyday wardrobe, and for creating a holistic and harmonious business look. All you need is to buy a more restrained model parka, with a minimum of decor and discreet colors: black, dark brown, beige or gray.

But shoes for such an image should be looked at as solid as possible: brogues, monks, boots or boots of classic styles.

The park has been in fashion for years, but every time there are minor changes. So, this season you can be considered a fashionista if your parka:

• has large patch pockets with flaps with buttons or Velcro;
• elongated cut - from mid-thigh to knee;
• has a hood that completely covers the eyes;
• decorated with faux fur of wild animal color (on the hood or collar);
• green, blue or brown.

Parks appeared due to the needs of the military, but very quickly became a favorite model among women and men around the world. Winter and demi-season men's parkas can be matched to any style of clothing, preferences and parameters. These clothes will warm you in the harsh cold, protect you from strong winds and allow you to "get out of the water dry." It remains only to choose exactly your model!