Frocks, Smocks And All Things Fashionable - Cashmere, Wool and Silk directory

Frocks, aprons, and smocks are used in all types of clean rooms. These apparels are used with booties and bouffant in place of traditional coveralls.

Frocks were used by both men and women, since the English medieval period as apparels of clothing. By the starting of the eighteenth century, the rural workers, as Waggoner's and shepherds had started using smock-frocks as an outer garment in some parts of Wales and England. Today, painters and other people who work on the same lines use smock-frocks as a loose over garment to protect their clothes.

Woollen or heavy linen material is used to make a traditional smock-frock. From mid-calf length to thigh-length, it is available in different sizes according to latest fashion trends.

In a traditional smock-frock, back and front are totally covered. The other feature is that the sleeves are folded with narrow un-pressed pleats and the upper part is usually decorated with smocking. Smocking is a type of embroidery, which is done on the surface of the pleats to control the width but also stretches up to some extant. It continues being a fashion statement with some added traditional touch.

Different types of smock-frocks are available in the market to choose from, as a pull over style round smock frock having a flat, round collar and an open neck line or a reversible smock- frock (from front to back). The others are Surreys or shirt-smocks, which are designed like men's shirts with a collar, front opening, and short pockets but are not reversible. Smock-shirts are the most popular version of the smock-frocks and are available in some chic, fashionable designs. The Welsh shepherds mostly use smock-coats which are long and have buttons in the front like a coat.

By the end of the eighteenth century, frock-coats for men became extremely popular. The main feature of these coats was that their lower part was like a skirt round the base. Frock-coats are still very popular for weddings. They are worn with waist coats and stripped trousers as formal wear in special occasions to give them a Victorian touch.

According to the modern dress code, this style is not that popular but is still seen in parties having a touch of historical costumes. It is accepted as a formal ceremonial wear during the daytime. Today, frock-coats, as formal wear, are used only for daytime occasions. They should not be worn after 7 p.m.

Today, in the UK, military combat jackets are still addressed by the name 'smock' and 'smoke-vest' in Belgium, which is a corrupted version of the English term.

The classic smock is now referred as chemise or shirt for men, or for certain types of modern apparels of women, such as dresses and undergarments. This simple garment is worn under the clothes to protect them from body odour or sweat.

This precursor of the modern shirts is still in fashion in the western countries. Today, the chemise commonly refers to a sleeveless, loose-fitting, shirt-like piece of lingerie or undergarment. It can also mean short, sleeveless clothing hanging straight from the shoulders and fitting loosely at the waist suitable for those who wear large womens clothing.