When it comes to Dick Tracy, Rick Blain, and Inspector Jack Clouseau, what do you think they all have in common?
Apart from their good looks and great hair, they look sharp and classy, wearing an awesome trench coat. There are certain pieces of men’s clothing that look good on everyone, and it doesn’t seem to go out of style anytime soon.
Well, this article is all about helping you understand the classic look of a trench coat and how you can look great wearing it. So, all you need to do is scroll through the article.
The Historic & Classic Menswear: Trench Coat
“British-based clothier Aquascutum developed a waterproof coat for officers of the Crimean War (1853-56) and Thomas Burberry, inventor of gabardine fabric, sent a waterproof coat design to the British army at the beginning of the 20th century.”
“Both clothiers lay claim to the invention of the trench coat. Whoever was the first to invent the waterproof trench coat is always debated, but the point is that their inventions have been keeping soldiers dry in the wettest of conditions.”
“After the end of World War I soldiers returning to civilian life brought with them their trench coats and the fashion quickly caught on.”
“From the muddy trenches of France to the streets of the growing metropolis, the trench coat is a staple in weather protection. When a gentleman puts on a trench coat he can almost feel the history and the value the trench coat has.”
Trench Coats Are Practical
“Being rained on is not fun. The feeling of wet clothes, wet hair and skin can make a dreary, rainy day seem even worse. If you live in an area with heavy annual precipitation (Seattle, for example), you will undoubtedly find yourself having to walk through the rain.”
“A man’s umbrella is useful when the rain falls perpendicular to the ground and when there is no wind. Most storms, though, have substantial wind gusts and sometimes horizontal rain rendering umbrellas useless. A trench coat will keep a man and a man’s clothing dry.”
Trench Coat Fabrics Give A Man Many Options
When it comes to fabric for men’s trench coats, then there are a lot of different options that you can try out. The different types of fabrics are listed below.
Leather
“The hides of various animals (cattle being the most common) make for serious trench coats. Leather is known for its durability, softness and protective qualities. Any leathers, though, need consistent cleaning, conditioning and air circulation in order to have a long lifetime.”
Cotton Drill
“Similar to gabardine, cotton drill is a tightly-woven fabric with a prominent twill weave. Cotton drill is strong, durable and breathable. The fabric has also been used to make work gloves, chef aprons, among others.”
Gabardine
“Invented by Thomas Burberry, gabardine is a tightly-woven fabric that can be distinguished by its diagonal ribs on the face and a smooth backing. Traditionally made from worsted wool, gabardine can nowadays be found made from cotton, polyesters, or blends.”
Serge
“Military uniforms and greatcoats were made from serge fabric. Sometimes you will find a trench coat made from this twill fabric. Serge looks like gabardine, but can be distinguished from gabardine by its diagonal ribs on both sides of the fabric (whereas gabardine is smooth on the backside).”
Trench Coat Colors For All Seasons
“Trench coats for the traditionalist are khaki in color. Rick Blaine and Inspector Clouseau wore khaki-colored trench coats and khaki is what most people envision when they think of a trench coat. However, there are many colors and shades that can compliment your wardrobe.”
“Understand what color fits best with your physical features and your clothing. Black is a neutral color that compliments many other colors. Blue works well if you are of a thin build. Olives and greens are reminiscent of the trench coat’s military history. Brown is a great option if you want a leather trench coat. And, of course, khaki is king.”
Trench Coat Styles Every Man Can Wear
We all know that there are a lot of different styles of trench coats that you can wear depending on your personal preference and style. So to know the different men’s trench coat styles, scroll down the list below.
Single Breasted Or Double Breasted
“If you are vertically challenged (5’7” or less) and/or lightweight (150lbs or less), then I suggest that a single breasted trench coat is the best option for you.”
“In the case of a double breasted trench coat it has more fabric that would envelop a small man and all his features.”
Vented
“A long coat with no vents will slow a man down. For a soldier, making him an easy target for machine guns and snipers as he goes over the top of his trench into No Man’s Land.”
“Therefore, a single vent on the back of men’s trench coat allows for his legs to achieve his maximum gait. The single vent has been a standard since the coat’s invention. It won’t make a departure anytime soon.”
Belted
“Trench coats should have a removable D-ring belt. Why? Trench coat belts were used so that a military officer could attach a sword or a pistol holster. But now a belt serves a purpose of accentuating a man’s physical features.”
Storm Flap
“Sometimes called a gun flap, this extra piece of fabric covers the right side of a man’s breast. It protects against water entering the jacket where the twp folds meet.”
“Soldiers who shouidered their firearms sought to remain dry undernerath; a trench coat without a storm flap would open at the fold and allow water to enter through the holes between the buttons. The storm flap keeps from any holes being created as a man raises his arms. It is a valuable asset to have during the heaviest downpour.”
Insulated Linings
“Many trench coats do not come with insulated linings. These are reserved for tropical climates. Another version is a trench coat with a removable insulated insulated lining; a gentleman who lives in an area with variable weather conditions will find a removable insulated lining a godsend.”
Shoulder Tabs (Epaulets)
“Officers insignia were attached to the epaulets so that soldiers could distinguised rank among trench coat-clad personnel. The tabs protected the coat from damage caused by the insignia pins. Today they serve only an aesthetic purpose.”
How A Trench Coat Should Fit?
When it comes to a trench coat or any coat, as a matter of fact, the fit of the coat is something that is very important to the wearer.
If the fit is bad, no matter what you do, you won’t look good if the coat doesn’t fit you. So check out the parameters on which the fit of a trench coat should depend.
The Length
The length of men’s trench coats varies with the style and type. But traditionally, the length of a men’s trench coat is just below the knee. However, “a gentleman can find trench coats in various lengths: full-length, knee-length, three-quarters, and short are the most common.”
When it comes to tall men and short men, the length of trench coats that they should wear is quite particular. “Tall men can easily wear a knee-length trench coat, but should avoid wearing short trench coats.”
But in the case of short men, the length of trench coats that they should avoid are longer trench coats. But in general, the tall trench coats are shrouded in a lot of mystery and negativity in pop culture, such as the goth culture and Morpheus from the “The Matrix.”
The Shoulders
The shoulders “should allow enough room for you to wear a man’s suit jacket underneath. About .5″ to 1″ of the trench coat should extend past your natural shoulders. This space is sufficient for layers underneath.”
The Chest
The chest of a men’s trench coat “should be roomy enough for you to insert your fist between the jacket and your chest without being too tight.”
The Sleeves
The sleeves of a trench coat “should extend 2″ to 3″ past your suit jacket cuff. The trench coat sleeves should fall into the bottom fold of your palm.”
Key Trench Coat Brands
When it comes to trench coats, there are specific brands that specialize particularly in men’s trench coat. So, if you wanna invest in a good quality trench coat, then you should look into these brands.
Burberry
“One of the two brands making the definitive trench coat, Burberry’s is replete with all the original details, but now also comes in three fits – relaxed, for easier layering, classic and slim, the latter being more of a fashion piece. With its signature gabardine made at the Burberry mill near Keighley, this trench coat is also among the more expensive. But then it’s an heirloom piece.”
Aquascutum
“The other maker of the definitive trench coat, Aquascutum’s was the style worn by Bogart in ‘Casablanca’ and Peter Sellers as bumbling detective Inspector Clouseau. Aquascutum’s trench coats are identified by the check lining and slightly oversized cut. Again, it’s not the cheapest, but it is a classic.”
Marks & Spencer
“For a hardy staple at an affordable price, Marks & Spencer’s cotton-rich trench coats come with the maker’s Stormwear technology – a cotton and polyester blended fabric coating that ensures raindrops roll away off the garment while allowing it to remain breathable.”
Grenfell
“Less well known than Burberry or Aquascutum, but making a similarly top-notch trench coat, Grenfell – which has been providing specialist outerwear to explorers since 1923 – also makes its trench coats from a proprietary, densely-woven cotton cloth. Its trench coats are available with detachable liners too.”
Mackintosh
The name is already a dead giveaway about the utility of this trench coat or the Mackintosh. “Better known – as its name gives away – as maker of the classic, fuss-free mac, Mackintosh also has its own take on the trench coat. With versions available without the likes of epaulettes or storm flap, Mackintosh’s trench coats might suit those looking for a more streamlined look.”
John Lewis
If you want reasonable pricing with timeless elegance and style, then the brand for you is John Lewis.
Their wind and waterproof trench coats are more like a Mac-style than a trench coat. However, they are made out of a bonded cotton blend and have a lot of detailing, such as mid-length cuts and button cuff adjusters.
H&M
When it comes to men’s trench coat, the go to brand for affordable trench coats is H&M. The trench coats that they have are much more fashion-inclined, but it lacks in technicality and performance. Although it is lacking in certain areas, the H&M trench coat does have a lot of character to it.
Reiss
Now, if you are looking for a good British men’s trench coat at a reasonable price, then Reiss is a great option. The Reiss trench coats are not just for that one season, but you can wear them all year round.
The trench coats come with a cotton outer shell with a warm quilted lining with the vents cut out neatly, which is going to suit everyone who wears it.
Zara
If you are looking for a slightly different take on the classic men’s trench coat, then the best place to look is at Zara. The versions here at Zara might be a little oversized, padded extra-long, belt less, come with a concealed fastening, or it can be waxed or checked.
Where To Buy A Trench Coat?
“Now that you are convinced that trench coats are great pieces of menswear, you ask where you can find a trench coat? Below are possible places where you can strike trench coat gold:”
Brick And Mortar Stores
“You can see, feel and put on the coat. There is security in knowing that you are buying genuine and quality coats.”
Internet Stores
“Faster and more options are at your fingertips. A simple internet search will give you thousands of hits, but the problem are finding a trusted seller (see below) and not being able to see, feel and try on the coat. Use your intuition.”
Internet Auction
“Here is a great way of getting a trench coat for cheap, especially vintage trench coats. However, there is more inherent risk of false advertising than internet stores. Do some research before you bid.”
Thrift Store
“coring a quality trench coat is more a hope and a prayer than for certain. Persistence and knowing where to thrift could land you a vintage, lightly-used trench coat for pennies on the dollar. Our suggestion is to locate any thrift stores in well-to-do neighborhoods.”
Within The Family
“Perhaps your father or grandfather, uncles or other relatives has a trench coat that fits you. If you are on the good side, you could get it for free or at least a small favor in return. It never hurts to ask.”
“Carefully research any “too good to be true” offers of otherwise expensive trench coats (e.g. Burberry). While the counterfeit / knockoff market for trench coats is not as prolific as luxury watches, wherever there is a famous name there are sure to be fakes.”
Wrapping Up!
Well, there you, here is all the information that you need to know about wearing and buying a trench coat.
Now, if you are hesitant about buying or investing in a good quality trench coat, then this is the article for you to go through. But before that, all you need to do is give this article a like and comment down below.
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