Smoking jacket

Smoking jacket

A smoking jacket is an item of clothing, now relatively rare, specifically designed for the purposes of smoking tobacco, usually in the form of pipes and cigars. Styles vary; the classic smoking jacket is a waist-length jacket made of velvet and/or silk, with a shawl collar and turn-up cuffs and toggle or button fastenings. Usually, they are made in rich colors such as burgundy and bottle green.

The smoking jacket became a popular accessory in Victorian times, when it was believed that the sensitive and delicate nostrils of ladies would be assailed by the pungent fumes of tobacco clinging to everyday clothing. Consequently it became "de rigueur" for every considerate gentleman to don his smoking jacket before lighting his cigar or pipe, usually after dinner. Smoking caps were also sometimes worn for the same reason. In addition to protecting the wearer from the aroma of tobacco, the removal of the smoker's suit coat and the covering of the shirt, tie and vest with the smoking jacket would protect all these garments from ash and embers.

The modern rarity of serious and dedicated pipe and cigar smoking as well as the vagaries of fashion mean that in today's world the smoking jacket is a rare item; the high cost of quality items also prevents its widespread use. Other than visiting vintage clothing stores, a quality smoking jacket (which can, and frequently does, last a lifetime) would now have to be specially tailored or found on online high-end stores.

In many languages, the term "smoking" has been adopted as a loanword, but in reference to what in English is known as a dinner jacket or a tuxedo in North America. As such, it is a false friend.

The smoking jacket was brought back into public consciousness as the de rigueur evening attire for Hugh Hefner, who was usually seen wearing one at functions held at either of the Playboy Mansions during the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, an episode of the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm" which features a cameo by the publisher is entitled "The Smoking Jacket" (episode 46, from the 5th season). It was also popularized in the early 1970s as it was the costume of Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor in the BBC TV science fiction show "Doctor Who".


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • smoking jacket — ► NOUN ▪ a man s comfortable jacket, formerly worn while smoking after dinner …   English terms dictionary

  • smoking jacket — smoking .jacket n a formal jacket that men wore after dinner in the past …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • smoking jacket — smoking ,jacket noun count a loose jacket made of soft expensive cloth, worn at home by men in the past …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • smoking jacket — n. a man s lounging jacket for wear at home …   English World dictionary

  • smoking jacket — noun a man s soft jacket usually with a tie belt; worn at home (Freq. 1) • Syn: ↑lounging jacket • Hypernyms: ↑loungewear * * * noun, pl ⋯ ets [count] : a loose jacket or robe worn especially in the past by men at home * * * ˈsmoking jacket [ …   Useful english dictionary

  • smoking jacket — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms smoking jacket : singular smoking jacket plural smoking jackets a loose jacket made of soft expensive cloth, worn at home by men in the past …   English dictionary

  • smoking jacket — noun A mens jacket designed to be worn while smoking tobacco, typically made of soft fabric with a tie belt See Also: dinner jacket …   Wiktionary

  • smoking jacket — noun a man s comfortable jacket, typically made of velvet, formerly worn while smoking after dinner …   English new terms dictionary

  • smoking-jacket — n. an ornamental jacket formerly worn by men while smoking …   Useful english dictionary

  • smoking jacket — a loose fitting jacket for men, often of a heavy fabric and trimmed with braid, worn indoors, esp. as a lounging jacket. [1875 80] * * * …   Universalium

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