Jacket and jerkin are two types of upper garments that are worn over another layer of clothes. A jerkin is a type of jacket which is close-fitting and sleeveless. The key difference between jacket and jerkin is their wearers; Jackets are worn by both men and women whereas jerkins are worn only by men.
What is a Jacket?
Jacket is a garment that covers the upper part of the body. However, jackets are typically worn over one layer of clothing such as T-shirt, shirt or blouse. Jackets are very similar to coats and blazers and sometimes these words are also used interchangeably. However, jackets are generally considered to be shorter, lighter and close-fitting than coats.
Jackets can have different styles and designs. They usually have a front opening with buttons or zips, as well as collars, lapels and pockets. They can be sleeveless or have full length sleeves. Jackets usually extends either to hips or mid-stomach. They are worn as a fashion items or a protective layer against the weather.
Jackets have various deigns and patterns and can be categorized by different names. Dinner jacket, blazer, suit jacket, leather jacket, bomber, sailor jacket, doublet, flak jacket, jerkin, fleece jacket, and gilet are some of these different types of jackets.
What is a Jerkin?
A jerkin is a close-fitting, sleeveless jacket worn by men. Jerkins are typically made of leather. They were commonly worn during the 16th and 17th century Europe. It was common practice among men of those days to wear jerkins over doublets, padded, close-fitting jackets with long sleeves.
The style and cut of jerkins however, did not remain the same. In the 16th century, jerkins were slashed and punched, and were closed at the neck and hung and open at the doublet. But by the 17th century, they had high waists and long skirts like the doublets worn at that time. They were also buttoned at the waist and opened above.
It is also important to know that jerkins can refer to another type of garment – the word jerkin is also used to refer to a sleeveless leather worn by British soldiers in the 20th century. However, this jacket is also very similar to the historical jerkin and provided soldiers protection against the cold while allowing free movement.
Jerkin worn by a British soldier at the Battle of the Somme
What is the difference between Jacket and Jerkin?
Jacket vs Jerkin |
|
| Jacket is an upper garment worn over another cloth. | Jerkin is a type of close-fitting, sleeveless jacket. |
| Gender | |
| Jackets are worn by both men and women. | Jerkins were worn by men. |
| Fit | |
| Jackets can be loose or tight. | Jerkins are tight. |
| Layers | |
| Jackets are typically worn over shirts, t-shirts, blouses and even dresses. | Jerkins are worn over doublets. |
| Sleeves | |
| Jackets usually have long sleeves. | Jerkins are typically sleeveless. |
| Popularity | |
| Jackets are very popular and worn by everyone. | Jerkins are not very popular garments in modern fashion. |
Image Courtesy:
“Picture of jerkin” By Europeana staff photographer – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
“Tan leather jacket” By Dr. Blofeld (Blofeld of SPECTRE) – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia