Late October is when the mornings turn in Punjab and KP while the afternoons still feel like September. If you are buying one jacket this winter, the question is not which looks best in the photograph but which weight suits the cold where you live. Here are the four fabrics we carry, how to order a size from a chest measurement, and what to check on arrival.
How cold it actually gets where you live
Pakistan does not have one winter: the jacket that is sensible in Peshawar is far too much in Karachi.
- Punjab and KP plains — cold mornings from late October, but December and January are the hard months, and damp fog makes that cold feel worse than the number on your phone. Buy for January: a padded jacket, or a wool blend roomy enough for a sweater underneath.
- Hill areas and the north — Murree, Abbottabad, Swat, Quetta and Gilgit. You want the heaviest thing in the cupboard: a thick padded or quilted jacket that closes at the neck.
- Karachi and lower Sindh — winter is mild and short. A fleece jacket or a lined knit cardigan covers the season; a heavy padded coat gets worn twice and then sits unused.
If you are unsure, buy for the coldest morning you remember from last January: a jacket that is slightly too warm can be left open, but one that is too thin cannot be fixed. Our winter collection runs from light layers up to heavy jackets, so you can compare weights before deciding.
The four fabrics we carry, and what each is good at
Everything in jackets and sweaters falls into one of four groups.
Fleece
Soft brushed polyester: light, warm for its weight and the gentlest of the four on your budget. Weak against wind and no use in rain, so on a motorcycle the cold goes straight through it, and it can pill at the cuffs.
Soft wool blend
Wool mixed with polyester or acrylic. Warmer than fleece, holds its shape, blocks wind, and smart enough for an office or a family function. It is heavier, slower to dry, and the more wool in the mix, the more careful the washing.
Padded or quilted
An outer shell with filling stitched into channels, shrugging off wind and light drizzle. Warmest for its weight, and the honest answer for December in the north or a foggy Punjab dawn. The trade-off is bulk, and padding is only warm while it stays fluffy.
Knit cardigan with lining
A knit outside, a fabric lining inside. Easiest of the four to wear indoors and the best looking over a shirt, and the lining is what stops the knit itching or letting air through the gaps, though it is no use against wind or rain.
How to pick your size from a chest measurement
S, M and L mean different things from one maker to the next, so measure once and stop guessing. Put a tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms, with a shirt on, flat and level and not pulled tight. The labels below are approximate: every product page lists the sizes that jacket comes in, and where the maker gives measurements of its own, trust those.
| Your chest measurement | Usual label | Same in cm |
|---|---|---|
| 36 to 38 inches | S | 91 to 96 cm |
| 38 to 40 inches | M | 96 to 102 cm |
| 40 to 42 inches | L | 102 to 107 cm |
| 42 to 44 inches | XL | 107 to 112 cm |
| 44 to 46 inches | 2XL | 112 to 117 cm |
People forget this. A jacket goes over a shirt, often over a sweater too, and that second layer eats two to three inches of room. At a 40-inch chest, L is right over a shirt alone; order XL if a sweater goes underneath. On the boundary between two sizes, take the larger. If you are tall, check the body and sleeve length too.
What to check when the parcel arrives
Orders are dispatched within 1 to 2 working days, delivery usually takes 3 to 6 working days, and there is a 7-day replacement if the item arrives damaged or incorrect.
- The zip — run it fully up and down three times. It should move without force and not catch.
- Stitching — turn it inside out and check shoulder seams, armholes and pocket corners: straight close stitching, no loose threads, no gaps where panels meet.
- Lining — it should lie flat and not twist when you put an arm through. Check inside the cuffs and hem, where poor finishing shows.
- Fit over a real layer — wear the shirt and sweater you will actually use, then zip it shut.
Washing it so it lasts a second winter
Most jackets are washed to death rather than worn out. Prices move with stock and season, so check the current price on the product page; what decides a second winter is the washing.
- Fleece — cold machine wash, mild detergent, no fabric softener, which clogs the pile and takes the warmth out. Dry flat in shade, never iron.
- Wool blend — hand wash cold or dry clean. Do not wring; press the water out and dry flat in shade, never hang it wet.
- Padded or quilted — wash rarely and sponge marks off instead. When you must, cold gentle cycle with zips closed, then dry fully and shake it out so the filling spreads evenly.
- Knit cardigan — hand wash cold, dry flat, and fold it rather than hanging it on a hook.
If you are putting together a whole set of garam kapre, our men's clothing has the shirts, trousers and inner layers that go underneath.
Frequently asked questions
Which jacket should I buy if I ride a motorcycle to work?
A padded or quilted jacket that zips right to the neck. Fleece feels warm standing still, but moving air goes straight through it. Order one size up so it closes over a sweater, and add gloves and a cap.
Is fleece enough for Lahore in January?
On its own, not really: those mornings are cold and damp, and fleece has no wind resistance. It works as a layer under something warmer. For the whole Punjab winter, choose a wool blend or a padded jacket.
I am between two sizes. What should I order?
Take the larger one. An extra inch in the chest disappears the moment a sweater goes underneath, while a jacket one size small cannot be let out. The one exception is a knit cardigan worn over a shirt alone.
What if the size is wrong when it arrives?
The 7-day replacement covers an item that arrives damaged or incorrect, so with sizing it is best to get it right before ordering. Measure your chest, compare it with the chart above and with the product page, and message us if the two do not agree.
If you are not sure about the size, or which fabric suits the cold in your city, message us on WhatsApp at 0345 6650894 with your chest measurement and the jacket you are looking at, and we will tell you plainly which size to order. Cash on delivery is available nationwide.