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With its rich history and practicality, the parka has become a permanent fixture in menswear—and in the Bonnegueule collection, where we have offered it for many years.
With the Quimper, we set out to create a winter parka designed for the colder months : waterproof Italian fabric, generous insulation to protect you from the cold, and a silhouette with subtle military influences, designed for city life.
| Feature | Quimper parka |
|---|---|
| Type | Men’s winter parka |
| Colour | Khaki |
| Outer fabric | Technical twill by Olmetex (Italy) |
| Outer composition | 80% polyester, 20% polyamide |
| Waterproof rating | 10,000 mm (hydrostatic head test) |
| Water repellency | Water-repellent surface treatment |
| Insulation | Technical padding by Imbotex (Italy), 35% recycled fibres |
| Insulation weight | 200 g/m² in the body, 100 g/m² in the sleeves |
| Insulation certifications | GRS, OEKO-TEX 100 |
| Fit | Straight fit, above-knee length, fishtail back |
| Fastening | Two-way YKK zip and snap buttons |
| Pockets | 4 outer pockets, 3 inner pockets (1 zipped, 2 mesh) |
| Sizing | Take your usual size |
| Made in | Portugal |
Quimper: a fishtail parka with distinctive style
The Quimper goes beyond the classic parka with a number of distinctive details:
- At the front, its large patch pockets with asymmetrical flaps. A signature detail of our collection, they break up the usual lines of a parka and give its silhouette character. Snap-button closures keep your belongings secure,
- At the back, the Quimper features the fishtail shape (“fish tail”) inherited from American military parkas: a slightly longer central panel ending in two points, with an elastic drawcord. This construction gives you greater freedom of movement when walking, much like the vents at the back of a blazer,
- Its length is slightly greater than that of a traditional parka, offering more coverage and protection. It remains a balanced length, finishing above the knee.
Waterproof Italian fabric to keep the rain out
To keep you dry, the outer fabric comes from Italian mill Olmetex, a specialist in technical fabrics for over half a century and a long-standing partner of ours.
We appreciate this supplier not only because it weaves all its fabrics in Italy, but also for its ability to create highly technical materials with a natural appearance, ideal for urban wear.
This fabric, made from 80% polyester and 20% polyamide:
- Is fully waterproof thanks to its membrane, as well as water-repellent, with a 10,000 mm hydrostatic head rating. This means the fabric can withstand the pressure of a 10-metre column of water before water begins to penetrate it. Enough to keep you dry even during prolonged rainfall,
- Has a natural, matte appearance, with a twill weave. It feels soft, with a subtle peach-skin finish. A far cry from shiny, rustling parka fabrics.
Warm, breathable insulation to brave the cold
To keep you comfortably warm, this parka is filled with technical insulation from Italian specialist Imbotex. Based in northern Italy, in the Padua region, Imbotex has specialised in developing and manufacturing high-performance padding and insulation for half a century.
We do not use down in our collection, so we chose a warm, lofty technical synthetic insulation containing 35% recycled fibres. We opted for a generous 200 g/m² of padding in the body and 100 g/m² in the sleeves to preserve freedom of movement.
This generous insulation means you can wear the Quimper even when temperatures drop below freezing. With a thick sweater, scarf, beanie and gloves, it can accompany you in very cold weather, around -5°C or even a little lower if you are less sensitive to the cold.
Finally, this padding is certified:
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard), which certifies the recycled content and compliance with environmental, social and chemical requirements during production,
- OEKO-TEX 100, which certifies that the product has been tested for harmful substances.
The functional details of our winter parka
True to our DNA, we have equipped the Quimper with a range of practical details:
- A two-way YKK front zip, allowing you to free up room around the hips by opening the lower zip, complemented by snap buttons
- Ribbed cuffs that prevent cold air from entering through the sleeves
- A stiffened hood brim to protect your face from the rain
- Three inside pockets : one zipped and two mesh pockets. The zipped pocket is the most secure option for a phone or cardholder. The mesh pockets hold bulkier items, such as gloves, a beanie or a neck warmer. Better still, if these accessories get wet in the rain, the mesh construction allows them to dry quickly.
How to style a khaki parka
Look 1 – smart casual
Its urban design makes the Quimper parka easy to incorporate into your everyday outfits.
Here, it creates a clean, effective smart-casual look built on contrast: a fuzzy beige cashmere turtleneck and substantial navy trousers in a straight fit to balance the parka’s volume. Simple black Derby shoes complete the outfit, although brown shoes would work just as well.
Look 2 – workwear
With its military influences, the Quimper parka fits naturally into workwear-inspired outfits alongside other substantial, rugged pieces.
The parka’s khaki colour pairs naturally with brown trousers, with cargo pockets adding a further military touch. Choose a camel sweater—not something thin and smooth, but a substantial knit with a pronounced texture. Finish with brown boots: slightly rugged thanks to their grained leather, yet refined and urban thanks to their clean, minimalist shape.
Look 3 – casual
As well as brown and blue, khaki pairs beautifully with black and charcoal tones. This combination is sometimes overlooked, but the contrast is interesting and well worth exploring.
Here, the Quimper parka is worn with black selvedge jeans and a houndstooth overshirt, layered over a clay-coloured merino wool T-shirt—a neutral base layer in colour, with added insulation from the fabric.
For footwear, we stick with black, this time choosing suede sneakers to give the outfit a distinctly relaxed feel.
What size should you choose for the Quimper parka?
The Quimper has a balanced straight fit, with enough room to wear a thick sweater or jacket underneath. We recommend taking your usual size.
How to care for your waterproof parka
Your parka requires very little maintenance: one trip to the dry cleaner per year, and that’s all.
A word about water repellency: this is the outer fabric’s ability to repel water on contact. After a few seasons, the water-repellent treatment will become less effective. The fabric will still be waterproof, however: water may pass through the outer fabric, but not through the membrane behind it. So you will still stay dry.
To restore your parka’s water repellency, dry cleaning can often help reactivate the treatment. If your parka does not need cleaning, we recommend a product such as Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On, a spray free from PFCs and VOCs.
We recommend reading this article to learn more about water-repellent treatments:
Conclusion
Questions or comments? Feel free to contact us on social media ( Instagram, YouTube, Discord, by email at client@bonnegueule.fr) or come and try on this parka, available in our stores in Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux.
FAQ: everything you need to know about the Quimper parka
Is the Quimper parka waterproof?
Yes. Its Italian outer fabric by Olmetex features a waterproof membrane with a hydrostatic head rating of 10,000 mm. It also has a water-repellent treatment that causes droplets to bead and roll off the surface.
What does a 10,000 mm waterproof rating mean?
It means the fabric can withstand the pressure of a 10-metre column of water before water begins to penetrate it. This is a high level of protection, suitable for prolonged exposure to rain.
Is the Quimper parka warm enough for winter?
Yes. It has 200 g/m² of synthetic insulation in the body and 100 g/m² in the sleeves. It is designed for cold days, including below-freezing temperatures. With a thick knit and suitable accessories, it can also work in colder weather, depending on how sensitive you are to the cold.
What is the difference between a parka and a puffer jacket?
A parka generally has a longer, more protective cut, an outer fabric designed to shield you from the elements—sometimes water-resistant—and plenty of functional details, such as a hood and large pockets. A puffer jacket, by contrast, prioritises a quilted, lofty construction. Its fabric is not always rain-resistant, and it does not always have a hood.
What size should I choose for the Quimper parka?
The Quimper has a straight fit, with enough room to wear a thick sweater or jacket underneath. We recommend taking your usual size. You can check our detailed size guide for the measurements.
How do I maintain the Quimper parka’s water repellency?
Over time and with wear, the water-repellent treatment may become less effective. You can renew it with a product designed for technical clothing, such as Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On.
