Gothic Coats.

The gothic coat is said to have originated in Germany in the Middle Ages, and found its way into the United States and other countries when German families started to settle there.

The gothic coat, in its traditional style, can be seen in many of the early horror and vampire movies. This has led it to be also termed a vampire coat, as it was often worn by the vampire or the vampire slayer. Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Vincent Price have all probably donned a gothic coat at one time or another.

The gothic coat was considered a serious and smart form of outerwear in the Victorian era, and would be worn for formal and solemn occasions such as funerals. During this period it was mostly worn by the upper classes, it was always black in color, and was almost identical in shape to the mens double breasted trench coat.

As the decades moved on so did the style of the coat, but it always held some of its original features. The lapel sizes and cuffs may have changed shape, but it always remained a black full length coat. New materials led to it being manufactured in different textures other than wool, such as velvet and leather.

By the 1960’s had passed and the 1970’s had arrived, fashion was the order of the day. Everyone wanted to look fashionable and designers were continually inventing new and different styles to keep up with the demand.

Fashion designers often look back in history for their inspiration for new designs, and this happened with the gothic coat.

The fashion of the latter part of the 1970’s was for the ‘Buccaneer’ look, with frilly shirts and pirate coats, and the ‘Punk’ look, with chains, ripped t shirts, and ‘Goth’ coats.

The ‘Goth’ coat was the latest name for the gothic coat. The latest style was a full length PVC or full length leather trench coat. It had wide lapels and a deep vent at the back, which went from the waist down.

Alongside the punk brigade came the ‘Goth’ brigade. Bearing a striking resemblance to the ‘Punks’ the Goths preferred straight black hair to the spiky or ‘Mohican’ cut. They were more into black or blood red lipstick, and black eye shadow and eye liner. They used pale face powder, which gave them the look that they had already been paid a visit by a vampire.

So now we move on to the current day, and who wears this style of topcoat.

Well, the ‘Goth’ wears this style because it fits perfectly with the unconformist attitude. The ‘Emo’ wears it because its black and fits perfectly with the ‘Emo’ dress code, and finally the confident man wears the gothic coat because it looks smart, elegant, and just a little mysterious.