Anoraks - The return of the mountain smock

A man's tastes in clothes are undoubtedly shaped by the pleasant experiences of life. As a schoolboy I loved mountains (and still do). In those days, kit was in transition between cotton Gaberdine and Ventile on the one hand and Nylon and Gore-Tex on the other.

My favourite jacket was a cotton climbing smock - I've no idea what make, but Belstaff, Selrig and others made similar. It was khaki with bright yellow lining, large chest pocket and a leg strap and I'm on the look-out for another. I just missed something similar on eBay recently. If anyone has one going spare, please let me know.

Edmund Hillary and friend

Belstaff sales brochure

These vintage jackets are being reproduced, inspired by the mountaineering anoraks and smocks of the mid-twentieth century - here are a few

Fjallraven

Merrow

Merrow

Norsea Rudda

Vintage smock - image eBay

Vintage Belstaff Dalesman