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Home » Outfits » Fashion A to Z: Q for Quilted

Fashion A to Z: Q for Quilted

Quilting is a method of sewing two or more layers of fabric together to make a thicker padded material, usually to create a quilt or quilted garment. Typically, quilting is done with three layers:  a bottom, batting, and a top. These garments have been around for quite some time and are quite common today in the form of “puffer” jackets and vests.

Eddie Bauer is credit with the invention of the first puffer jacket in 1936. The jacket encased down feathers within quilted fabric and was created out of personal necessity after Bauer nearly lost his life to hypothermia while on a fishing trip in mid-winter. Patented in 1940, his creation is successful in keeping one warm while still being lightweight.

quilted vest with atheleisure outfitPin

Top- TJMaxx; Vest- Old Navy; leggings- Amazon; sneakers- Asics; earrings- Kendra Scott

The quilting or sewing technique used to achieve the puffy look can be done in rows as with many jackets and vests labeled puffers, or in diamond shapes. The diamond shape pattern on a garment tends to be more commonly called quilted. Regardless of whether you search for a puffer jacket/vest or a quilted jacket/vest, the technique to achieve each is relatively the same.

A quilted or puffer vest is a great piece to throw on with your atheleisure or other casual looks in the spring when a light layer is needed but not a full jacket.

quilted vest with olive jeansPin

Vest- Old Navy; jeans- similar; tee- similar; necklace- similar; wedge booties- similar

Quilting has also been applied to handbags and purses. In 1955, Coco Chanel introduced the 2.55 bag. More revolutionary than the quilted design, was the fact that it had shoulder straps.

The quilted leather, now synonymous with the brand, is thought to be in honor of Coco’s love of horseback riding as a girl, when quilted materials were worn only by boys working in the stables.

Quilted items add a nice touch of texture to an outfit.

Check out the whole Fashion A to Z series here.