# Oilskin

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{{accuracy|date=August 2025}}
{{short description|Waterproof garment made from treated sailcloth or canvas}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2013}}
[[Image:Amandine04.jpg|thumb|upright|Oilskin [jacket](/source/jacket) and [sou'wester](/source/sou'wester)]]

'''Oilskin''' is a waterproof cloth used for making garments typically worn by [sailor](/source/sailor)s and by others in wet areas. The modern oilskin garment was developed by a New Zealander, Edward Le Roy, in 1898. Le Roy used worn-out sailcloth painted with a mixture of linseed oil and wax to produce a waterproof garment suitable to be worn on deck in foul-weather conditions. Oilskins are part of the range of protective clothing also known as '''foul-weather gear'''.

==History==
Waterproofed cloth garments were in use from the 18th century. Many different methods of waterproofing were used over the years. Some early sou'westers and rain capes were handmade of [sailcloth](/source/sailcloth) waterproofed with a thin layer of [tar](/source/tar), while other methods involved<ref name="Grundens">{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://grundens.com/pages/about-us |website=Grundéns}}</ref> [canvas](/source/canvas) [duck](/source/cotton_duck) coated with multiple applications of [linseed oil](/source/linseed_oil) and paint.<ref name="Grundens" /> While durable, these methods of waterproofing did not possess the breathable qualities of Le Roy's process.

Modern oilskins may be made of flexible [PVC](/source/Polyvinyl_chloride)-coated synthetic fabric,<ref name="Grundens" /> while advanced materials for extreme conditions such as [yacht racing](/source/yacht_racing) may be used.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}} Also known as "foul weather gear", contemporary oilskins include such innovations as [DWR-coated](/source/Durable_water_repellent) nylon on their low end<ref>{{cite web |title=breathable Men's Third Reef Jacket |url=https://www.westmarine.com/west-marine-men-s-third-reef-jacket-19572783.html |website=[West Marine](/source/West_Marine) }}</ref> and [Gore-Tex](/source/Gore-Tex) and other proprietary waterproof membranes on the high.<ref>{{cite web |title=HENRI LLOYD Men's Ocean Pro Smock |url=http://www.henrilloyd.com/store/p-79-ocean-pro-smock.aspx |website=[Henri Lloyd](/source/Henri_Lloyd) |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-date=2014-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228150626/http://www.henrilloyd.com/store/p-79-ocean-pro-smock.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A ''[Sou'wester](/source/Sou'wester)'', a traditional form of collapsible oilskin rain-hat, is longer in the back than the front to fully protect the neck.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sou'wester |url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sou'wester |website=[Merriam Webster](/source/Merriam_Webster)}}</ref> Sou'westers sometimes feature a gutter front-brim.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sou'wester hat |url=http://www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com/grundens-sandhamn-21-souwester-hat.html |website=lfsmarineoutdoor.com |access-date=2014-02-22 |archive-date=2014-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227121414/http://www.lfsmarineoutdoor.com/grundens-sandhamn-21-souwester-hat.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== See also ==

* {{annotated link|Oilcloth}}
* {{annotated link|Waxed cotton}}
* {{annotated link|Waxed jacket}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wiktionary|sou'wester}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160306092835/http://www.sailingahead.com/gear/foulweathergear1.htm Classification of Foul Weather Gear - 2016 archive]

{{Clothing}}
{{fabric}}

Category:Coats (clothing)
Category:Sailing equipment
Category:Woven fabrics
Category:Maritime culture

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Oilskin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilskin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilskin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.