How can I do an outerHTML but for the outer relement only?

How can I do an outerHTML but for the outer relement only?

I would like to get the HTML of the outer element only. Does jQuery have a method or do I have to roll my own?

E.g. 
if in the example below,  I use  $("# cont1")[0].outerHTML I get everything.

But what I want to return only the character string " <div class=' outer ' id='cont1'>" with or without the </div> is ok.


  1. <div class='outer' id='cont1'>
          stuff here
          <div class='inner' id='cont2'>
                something here
          </div>
    </div>