I've just spent the last week putting this snow parka / anorak together for the Arctic Course next year.
It's double skinned and fully reversible, light grey tent canvas on one side and Nato green L19 Ventile on the other.
The ruff is re-cycled from an old Victorian fox fur stole that I found at a boot sale some time ago and can be removed for washing etc.
It was probably the most complicated and awkward item of clothing I've ever made and I certainly don't intend to make another so I made this one to last.
It's based roughly on the Sally Robbins pattern from the Conover's book "Snow Walkers Companion" but I adapted the design with a few of my own touches and based it around the cut of my wind shirt.
The idea is that the sleeves are wide enough to bring your arms back into the parka and adjust your layers without exposing yourself to the wind.
It can also be ventilated by unhooking the belt and opening the neck gusset (as shown) to get a chimney effect if needed.
Obviously it's a bit warm at the moment to give it a proper testing but it certainly seems comfortable and should work as intended.
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