Oilskin

Oilskin is a waterproof cloth used for making garments, particularly worn by sailors and individuals in wet environments. The modern oilskin garment was developed by Edward Le Roy, a New Zealander, in 1898. Le Roy utilized worn-out sailcloth painted with a mixture of linseed oil and wax to create a waterproof garment suitable for wearing on deck in foul-weather conditions.

Historically, waterproofed cloth garments have been in use since the late 1700s, with various methods of waterproofing employed over the years. Early sou’westers and rain capes were handmade using sailcloth waterproofed with tar or canvas duck coated with linseed oil and paint. However, these methods lacked the breathable qualities of Le Roy’s process.

Modern oilskins may be made of flexible PVC-coated synthetic fabric, with advanced materials like Gore-Tex used for extreme conditions such as yacht racing. These garments, also known as foul-weather gear, include innovations like DWR-coated nylon on the low end and proprietary waterproof membranes on the high end.

Oilskin garments typically consist of jackets and trousers. Jackets have a high spray collar, some with hoods in high-visibility colors for safety. Retroreflective patches are strategically placed for visibility, and jacket tails are extra long to keep water off the legs. Oilskin trousers, also known as “bibs,” are high-cut to overlap with the jacket significantly.

In contrast, oilcloth, also known as enameled cloth or American cloth, is a close-woven cotton duck or linen cloth coated with boiled linseed oil to make it waterproof. Oilcloth was historically used for luggage, carriages, weatherproof clothing, and kitchen tablecloths. Waxed cotton and Mackintosh gradually replaced oilcloth in the 19th century.

Oilskin fabric has evolved over time; traditional oilskin is cotton saturated with oils and waxes for water repellency, while dry oilskin is treated with an emulsified wax that binds a wax-based product with water to give a non-oily finish. Traditional oilskin leaves an oily residue when rubbed between fingers and develops a unique patina over time.

Citations:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilskin

Oilskin (Wikipedia)

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Oilskin is a waterproof cloth used for making garments typically worn by sailors 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.

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