Bologna fabric – what is it?

You may have heard of but not really understood bologna fabric. This kind of fabric is well-known for being strong and water-resistant, which makes it a popular option for clothing and other outdoor equipment.

This fabric, which was first created in the Italian city of Bologna, is now widely used to make jackets, raincoats, and other weather-resistant apparel. Due to its distinct qualities, it is both useful and adaptable, blending in perfectly with both functional apparel and contemporary styles.

This article will discuss the salient characteristics of Bologna fabric and the reasons behind its popularity in particular clothing styles. Knowing more about Bologna fabric can help you appreciate its significance in the textile world, whether you’re thinking about using it for your upcoming clothing project or you’re just curious.

Aspect Description
Material Bologna fabric is a synthetic fabric, typically made from nylon or polyester, known for its durability and water resistance.
Uses Commonly used in outerwear like jackets and raincoats due to its ability to repel water and withstand harsh weather conditions.
Care Easy to clean, often just requiring a wipe down with a damp cloth; machine washable on gentle settings.
Features Lightweight, windproof, and often coated with a special finish to enhance its water-resistant properties.

Description

The Italian city of the same name, Bologna, saw the release of Bologna fabric in the late 1950s. Giulio Natta’s discoveries, particularly the development of the stereospecific polymerization process, made it possible for it to appear. It was possible to obtain isotactic polypropylene, a hard, heat-resistant, high-strength material that gives the fabric its waterproof quality.

Cotton weighs twice as much as Bologna. It stays dry even when it pours with rain. enduring. produces a rustling noise.

The Soviet people were so taken aback by Bologna that they quickly adopted Italian technology and established their own factory to produce waterproof fabric. Naturally. The alternative at the time was unappealing: gabardine trench coats or thick wool impregnated with rubber (like a macintosh). The latter were incredibly pricey and offered little rain protection.

A bologna raincoat is a different story. Everyone in the USSR, including girls, boys, women, men, grandparents, and dogs, started wearing it after a short while. Trendy Soviet magazines relentlessly pushed it. New, bright and garish raincoats soon replaced the dark brown and blue ones with a fly-away yoke.

Interesting fact. "My friends, although not in Bologna, do not drag from the family, and drink muck to save money, at least in the morning and on their own," the song B. S. Vysotsky mentions in the material. 1973.

Composition

Bologna is entirely artificial. The fabric was composed of polymers and nylon. This occurred in multiple phases:

  1. A polymer solution of ethyl acetate with white soot additives was applied to a thin nylon fabric, forming a thin waterproof film.
  2. For an attractive appearance, another layer of a less viscous substance was added. Sometimes there were 3-4 such layers.
  3. The resulting fabric was treated with silicone on both sides. It repelled water, increasing the moisture-proof properties of the material.

Italian bologna was thinner than Soviet bologna. A little while later, the third layer started to receive additions of metallic powder, which gave it a lovely pearlescent sheen.

Bologna fabric is a sturdy, wind- and rain-resistant material that was first created for outerwear and is renowned for its glossy finish. It is a popular option for coats, jackets, and outdoor gear because it is strong and lightweight, providing both style and functionality in a variety of weather conditions.

Characteristics

Wearing a bologna raincoat was seen as highly fashionable in the 1960s. It was well-liked outside of the USSR as well. The object appears in numerous movies from that era. As in the movie "Rocco and his brothers," for instance. Even Alain Delon wore a raincoat from Bologna.

However, the material’s properties were far from ideal in practice.

It should be mentioned that the fabric has the following benefits:

  • waterproof;
  • lightweight;
  • durable;
  • resistant to alkalis, acids, bacteria;
  • compact when folded.

This is the extent of bologna’s benefits. Thus, bologna is referred to as an unhygienic fabric in the Soviet magazine "Health." The cause is the impermeability of the air. When wearing such a raincoat, the body sweats instead of breathing. It produces a sauna-like atmosphere, making colds more likely to strike. Furthermore, if the fly-away yoke in the original raincoats allowed for airflow, then later bologna jackets were devoid of these "vents."

Additionally, bologna lost its ability to withstand moisture when exposed to direct sunlight. White spirit and other organic solvents were easy on the polymer film. Lots of people wore bologna clothing in the sun. They were no longer shielded from the rain after that.

What is the name of bologna fabric today?

The terms "Bologna", "Bologna jacket", and "Bologna raincoat" gained so much notoriety that they are still widely used today. They refer to jacket fabric and waterproof jackets. Some producers even create a substance called "bolonia," which is extremely dissimilar to the authentic bologna. Production of this fabric was discontinued in the USSR.

It was swapped out for better raincoat materials. It is now:

  • membrane;
  • taffeta;
  • dyuspo;
  • oxford;
  • bonding;
  • jordan;
  • taslan.

Still a common question is "bolonia or bologna," or how to properly refer to waterproof pants. The name "bolonia" is correct. However, modern pants are actually made of different materials. It is preferable to refer to them as "waterproof" if you are unsure of the material’s name.

Bologna fabric is a popular option for outdoor clothing because it is a versatile material that provides good protection against wind and water. Its special blend of comfort and durability makes it perfect for everything from jackets to raincoats.

Bologna fabric is strong but lightweight, which makes it appealing to people who want dependable protection without feeling cumbersome. It also requires little upkeep to maintain its good appearance and functionality, making it easy to care for.

All things considered, Bologna fabric is still a chic and useful choice for anyone looking for dependable outerwear that fits well and withstands the weather.

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Anna Zorina

Textile technologist with many years of experience. My focus is on the development and production of fabrics, and I always strive to ensure that textiles are not only beautiful, but also durable. On the pages of this site, I share my knowledge and advice to help you understand the complexities of the textile world.

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