by Bunni » Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:35 pm
So a common consensus I see is Poncho= Okay, Cloak=Douchebag, Ugly weird jacket=awesome. I also am to understand by reading the thread that wool=smelly heavy, and synthetic= amazing light better in every way. So lets look at these view points from a purely empirical scientific synopsis and minor humor. Staring with materials.
Wool fleece:
Pro- High fire resistance, thermal retentive, exposure to water does not reduce heat retention, Stretches, tear resistant, machine and hand washable, mildew resistant, water resistant, wind resistant.
Con- 2x as heavy as synthetics, retains water during prolonged exposure.
Synthetic Fleece:
Pro-High heat retention value, exposure to water does not reduce heat retention, Light weight, machine and hand washable.
Con- Flammable, melts at temperatures as low as 180 degrees, retains liquid, once damaged it does not retain heat well, not mildew resistant, gets dirty easily and retains odors.
Nylon:
Pro-Mildew resistant, tear resistant, light weight, wind resistant, water resistant, does not retain liquids
Con- flammable, Does not retain heat well, the weave structure once torn spreads quickly.
Cotton:
Pro- Absorbs liquid, breathable material, Aids in evaporation, slightly fire resistant
Con- Does not retain heat, absorbs and retains liquids, highly susceptible to mildew and odor
Polyester:
Pro- highly water resistant, non breathable material, does not retain water, odor resistant, tear resistant
Con- Flammable, heat reactive (structure or shape is altered by a heat source),
Polyvinyl Chloride:
Pro-Waterproof, Wind proof, Non breathable, Reflects heat
Con-Heat reactive, flammable, easily torn, cold reactive (becomes brittle and cracks).
Now for different Cover-alls:
Duster- A duster, originated as a storm jacket for sailors. They were often made out of sail cloth or oilskin (Two high fiber cotton textiles) and coated in wax. They are somewhat heavy. The Duster actually refers to the removable shoulder cover that circles the neck for extra waterproofing on the shoulders, where the seams of the jacket often leak. It covers all body mounted equipment, but is cumbersome when fully buttoned. To access your gear you have to open the coat. When wearing a duster be prepared to receive insults alluding to: sailors, cowboys, columbine, Dracula, Emos, I know what you did last summer, and pirates.
Pancho- Its a rectangular cloth with a hole cut out in the middle. It originated mainly in Mexico with the indigenous tribes, but there are lesser roots in Spain and Portugal. Aztec and Mayan Priests wore Ponchos as ceremonial garb. Originally ponchos did not have hoods, that was popularized in the western rain poncho made from a combination of polostyrine, pvc and polyethaline. A poncho conceals the front of your body, but not the side without closures. This allows for access to your body mounted gear, but you have to move reach around your poncho to bring the gear to a viable usage point. Be prepared to be referred to as: Tourist, Dumb American, Disney World survivor, boy scout, poncho via, Mexican cowboy.
Robe- Robes were not originally an indoor only clothing item. They were used to cover the fine clothing and to aid in warmth. Kings, Clerics, Artisans and nobility through out Europe and Asia commonly wore robes and in some cases (Roman and orthodox Catholicism, English and American judges ) still do. The idea of a robe as vestments or an instant uniform makes changing roles easy. The Trench coat and overcoat for all practical arguments originates from the robe. To access gear you have to reach inside the robe. You will probably be called: Lazy, a slob, Archemage, or they simply won't talk to you for fear of being seen around you.
Snuggy- Its a backwards robe. Its stupid. You could put on a normal robe backwards and have the same thing. The only thing you can do in a snuggy you cant do in a robe is poop without lifting anything. You will be called: Stupid and Lame.
Cloak- As stated before was originally used to keep dirt and debris off of your clothes and your hair in urbanized environments, or while on the road. They were used in bad weather as well to keep warm or dry, but they were mainly used to stay clean. Cheap cloth cloaks were used in warm weather to keep the sun off, while wool cloaks were used in the winter like modern jackets. A cloak has a hood and loosely enshrouds the entire body when closed. All gear body mounted is accessible to you while closed. To bring the gear to a usable position one simply raises their hand through the front of the cloak. Be prepared to be called: Gandolf, Hobbit, Rennie, Assassin or Nerd
Cape- They are originally ceremonial vestments draped on the shoulders such as the Family coat of arms, High rank in a military, or as a sign of station. Capes were most often pinned to other vestments not tied around the neck. Superheros often toat capes for the same reasons the authors and animators historically derived. It is a symbol of status and it states Identity. Capes do not have hoods, and do not cover the front of the body further than the arms. Cape wearers are often called: superman, knights,or comic nerds.
Blanket- Its a blanket draped around your body. It is usually held closed by your hands. People will call you: Homeless.
So basically if you don't cover up all your nifty gear, then that is your problem. People fear what they don't know or can not see. You do make yourself less of a target by the simple fact, you are less identifiable. They see less of you, your movements and your gear. Police will never let you put your hands in your pockets while they are interrogating you. Why? They don't know whats in your pockets and they can't see your hands, so there is danger. Extend that principle to the entire body and there is a definite anxiety in the confrontation.
Now if you are honestly willing to tell that you would chase a person at night wearing a black cloak that you can give no other description of down a dark alley into the woods, because they don't threaten you and you want to light wool on fire, then I must call you bad names mostly centering around an underdeveloped central nervous system.
Personally I like to drape a duster over my shoulders and only do the top snap like sailors often did when in town circa 1750's-20th century. Revealing clothing is a new concept in the history of homo sapiens, because society in general has become overly suspicious and gregarious.
Last edited by
Bunni on Sat Feb 18, 2012 4:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
Good post sir! You truly contributed to the discussion. And for the record, not every situation the OP mentions is a, "Holy shit the apocalypse!" type of situation. Example, "hiking/camping/long walks."
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