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Posts from Heddels for 04/20/2023
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By Brad Lanphear on Apr 20, 2023 12:01 am
As is so often the case, the smock — or anorak — as we know it today, entered popular fashion because of WWII. The loose-fitting pullover garments, often equipped with hoods and large pockets, became standard issue for forces on both sides of the war. The simple design was found useful by paratroopers, boat crews, arctic forces, mountaineers, and even desert expeditions. Each tweaked the basic pattern with amenities suited for their specific activities and environments. After the fighting stopped, the smock’s usefulness, in all its many variations, made an obvious transition into civilian life.
British soldiers wearing Denison smocks during WWII. Image via Battlefront Community.
The smocks that came out of the war achieved a unique combination of ease of use, utility, and protection. As a pull-over garment, they allowed for more efficient coverage of the body. Although many adaptations included zipper, snap, or tied vents to regulate body temperature for varying climates. A hood, often with a high zip neck, was indispensable for cold, wet, and windy environments. While countless pocket arrangements exist, each designed to meet the needs of specific activities, their generally high cargo capacity always came in handy. A baggy, loose-fitting cut allowed for an unencumbered range of motion.
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