Smoking Jackets – Mens Velvet Smoking Jacket
Smoking jackets were originally designed to protect the wearer's other clothing from taking on the odor of smoke from cigarettes and cigars. One definition of the garment describes it as a short robe of velvet, cashmere, merino wool or printed flannel, lined in lustrous silk or satin, and closing with a tie or fabric toggles.
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The English originally imported silk versions of the jackets from the East.
Smoking jackets have been in use in England and America for well over a century. Interestingly, even though smoking has diminished, the wearing of smoking jackets may have increased, possibly due to the fact that the jacket isn't just for men anymore!
Men and women who do not smoke have taken up wearing the traditional smoking jacket to relax in their homes. They often wear it to entertain in elegant attire, and a relaxed comfortable setting.
How smoking jackets are worn today
Often women wear men's smoking jackets as coats over dresses or pants. Many see them as another type of casual formal wear. They are worn for parties at home and certainly are attractive enough to pull off a look of understated elegance.In the last decades of the 19 th Century, into early 1900s, the smoking jacket reached its zenith. It was recognized as the highest of style for its purpose, at a time when people dressed specifically to suit every occasion, even those as mundane as family meals.
Today's jackets are still viewed primarily as at-home attire for entertaining but some people do not adhere to that limited usage.
A variety of styles
There are many styles, colors and fabrics that comprise choices for today's smoking jacket buyers. You might choose a vintage jacket in the Hugh Hefner tradition. Some of his were actually called "Playboy smoking jackets." The favorite version was red corduroy with black satin trim.Other vintage styles are very traditional – men's quilted jackets in burgundy velvet with contrasting green plaid collar; or black crushed velvet with black satin lapels, for example. Paisley patterned silk with a sash and pockets are a popular new classic.
Jacket length varies from about seven inches below the waist to mid thigh, and may be purchased in single- or double-breasted styles. Favorite color choices are the traditional blue, green and red velvet.
From the 1920's to the 1930's the smoking jacket symbolized sophistication and savoir-faire. The jackets are sold as costumes today in different styles to emulate the past. One is the cheetah print, perhaps indicating an "animal magnetism." These costumes emphasize the image that smoking jackets have had in the past. Today's there are expanded uses for the fashion jacket and designers are creating some stunning choices for the buyer.
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