Silk Anoraks

[Mangrove]

Period Finnish fashion magazines mention that Scandinavian skiers used to wear a silk anorak (or more commonly one made from cotton) in the mountains during the 1930s. Unfortunately the garment is not described in detail. It could fit into one's palm and was made out of raw silk. Parachute silk of the period weighted around 1.5 - 2.0 oz/sq.yd or 50 - 70 g/m2 or 12 - 16 momme. The most common cotton anorak design in Finland seems to have been the one with "kangaroo pouch" in the middle of chest.

Was silk used outside Scandinavian countries during the time period? Is there any photograph of such garment?

 

[Graemsay]

I've heard of highly packable silk anoraks being used in Alpine mountaineering, and what I can remember would match your description. They might have been rubberised to waterproof them.

I don't know anything else beyond that. Sorry.

 

[Otter]

Here in Scotland in that period the most common type of that type of jacket was made from high thread count cotton canvas, Ventile type material. Back when I used to climb I remember some referances to jackets of the type you are talking about, but it was an Alpine type thing, mabe something in one of Gaston Rebuffat's books?

Edit: Some of the UK Special Forces types had two piece suits made out of parachute nylon, saw some of those back in the 90's.