In some methods, dressing for inclement climate is tougher than it was.
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In 1938, the author Margaret Dana started an Atlantic essay by describing an on a regular basis indignity:
A person went into a big metropolis retailer not way back and purchased a raincoat. He wore it that afternoon, strolling a number of blocks by a tough storm, and arrived at his vacation spot soaked by to the pores and skin, raincoat and all. He was, after all, very indignant, and returned without delay to the shop, demanding satisfaction. The shop refunded his cash politely … however defined simply as politely that it was not really or legally culpable—fairly that the rain itself was in charge. For, the shop reminded him, he had purchased a showerproof coat, whereas the rain that afternoon had been near cloudburst in diploma.
From there, Dana embarks on a formidable investigation of what waterproofing actually means, however I’m sharing her essay to make a extra common level: Dressing for inclement climate is hard, even if you strive your hardest. At present’s publication explores the origins of winter put on and the way it’s modified over time (not all the time for the most effective).
On Winter Put on
By Amanda Mull
The standard of knitwear has cratered. Even costly sweaters have misplaced their hefty, lush glory.
By Rachel S. Gross
The favored solution to preserve heat outside owes a debt to World Battle II–period clothes science. (From 2019)
When Did People First Begin Carrying Garments?
By Sarah Zhang
Nobody can know precisely, however archaeologists have discovered a couple of sudden clues.
Nonetheless Curious?
Different Diversions
P.S.
Dana undertook one other necessary investigation (and opened it with an completely improbable lede) in 1938: How heat is wool, anyway?
— Isabel