Outerwear
Vallgatan 12 offers a carefully curated selection of Outerwear from established and contemporary brands, where classic silhouettes meet modern interpretations and thoughtfully developed materials. The range extends from tailored wool coats and timeless trench coats to leather jackets, bombers, and technical Outerwear, with a focus on quality, functionality, and a distinctive contemporary expression.
Outerwear is the layer that protects against weather, wind, and changing temperatures and is adapted to both the season and intended use. Vallgatan 12's selection includes jackets and coats in various materials, constructions, and lengths, from wool coats, trench coats, and leather jackets to parkas, bombers, quilted and padded models, and technical shell jackets. The choice of Outerwear is influenced by factors including temperature, weather conditions, and the need for insulation, ventilation, and freedom of movement.
The choice of material and construction affects a garment's warmth, weight, durability, and weather protection. Wool and wool blends are common in coats and provide good insulation, while the material has a naturally structured and elegant character. Cotton, canvas, and gabardine are often used in lighter jackets and trench coats, while leather and suede provide a durable surface with a natural ability to develop a patina over time. Padded Outerwear typically uses down or synthetic insulation, with down offering high warmth relative to its weight and synthetic insulation retaining more of its insulating ability when exposed to moisture.
For Outerwear intended for rain and changing weather, construction is crucial to how effectively the garment protects against water. Water-repellent and waterproof describe two different levels of protection. A water-repellent surface is often treated with DWR, Durable Water Repellent, which causes raindrops to bead and run off the outer material instead of being absorbed. DWR is a surface treatment and should not be confused with a waterproof membrane. The treatment does not in itself affect the membrane's waterproofness, but helps prevent the outer fabric from becoming saturated with water and can therefore affect comfort and breathability.
Water resistance in technical Outerwear is often indicated through a so-called hydrostatic head test, with the result expressed in millimetres of water column, mm H₂O. The test measures how much hydrostatic water pressure the material can withstand before water penetrates it. A higher value generally means greater resistance to water penetration, but the value should be assessed together with the garment's construction. Seams, zippers, membranes, and how the garment is constructed affect its actual weather resistance. Taped or sealed seams can, for example, reduce the risk of water penetrating through needle holes.
Breathability is another important property of technical Outerwear, particularly during physical activity or changing temperatures. It describes the material's ability to transport water vapour away from the body. Product specifications often state it in grams per square metre over 24 hours, g/m²/24h. A higher value generally indicates that more moisture can pass through the material under the test conditions. Windproofness, water resistance, and breathability are separate properties and should therefore be assessed individually when choosing technical Outerwear.
Outerwear also varies according to season and function. Lighter jackets, trench coats, and overshirts work as layers during spring and autumn, while wool coats and padded models provide increased insulation during colder months. For rainy and windy conditions, shell jackets and parkas made from water-repellent or waterproof materials are relevant options. A well-considered Outerwear wardrobe can therefore combine thinner layers for transitional periods with insulated models for winter and technical constructions for more demanding weather. At the same time, the material and construction of Outerwear have a clear significance for its visual expression, with classic wool coats and trench coats representing more dressed-up options, while bombers, parkas, and technical jackets create a more functional and contemporary expression.
Proper care is essential for preserving a garment's material and function over time. Wool should be aired regularly and cleaned according to the garment's specific care instructions, while leather and suede should be protected from heavy moisture and treated with products suited to the material. Down and synthetic insulation require correct washing and drying to retain their insulating ability. For technical Outerwear, care instructions should be followed carefully, and the DWR treatment may in some cases need to be reactivated or reapplied when water no longer beads on the surface.
Vallgatan 12's selection of Outerwear includes models where material, function, and design work together. From season-spanning classics to technical constructions for more demanding weather, the Outerwear category offers options for different temperatures, uses, and personal expressions.