Military Trench Coats.
During the First World War British and French soldiers wore serge greatcoats
which were heavy and cumbersome. Along came Thomas Burberry and introduced the trench coat which soon became known as the military trench coat.
This new piece of clothing was optional dress for the British Officer or Warrant Officer Class 1. During the Second World War the coat was worn by enlisted men in the British, American and European Services.
Eventually the women of the British armed forces adopted this trench coat as an optional part of their uniform. The unisex look, khaki or navy material, and double breasted styling made it the ideal choice.
The military trench coat was not only stylish but it was practical. Stylish because it had elegant lines and was double breasted with buttoned down shoulder straps, belt and D rings. It started its life as a full length trench coat and was eventually shortened to be more accommodating to movement and cleanliness.
The long military heavyweight woolen trench coat was hard to keep clean because of the dust and grime in the trenches where it was worn. Because of the men’s complaints the coat was later manufactured of leather which was easier to clean as all it needed was to be wiped off.
In the United States the garment was manufactured by London Fog, which lived on to be a popular fashionable item long after the Second World War. The style of the trench coat as manufactured by London Fog was not different from the British Burberry trench coat.
The military trench coat was not only popular with the men in the British and American armed forces it was popular by soldiers in film and movies. Every war movie had the stars and heroes dressed in the military trench coat.
The spies and outer worldly entities also wore the military style of long leather trench coat in films.
The heroes of comedies also wore this style of topcoat. Everyone must remember Peter Seller’s Inspector Clousseau and Peter Faulk’s Columbo never going anywhere without their hallmark coat.
Both men and women alike love the trench coat with its military look. Today the business man no longer likes to wear a heavy woolen topcoat and reaches for his trench coat as part of his business attire. The same applies to the female business person.
But, don’t just see it as business attire because the trench coat is just as much at home with a pair of blue jeans or casual slacks.
The military trench coat made its way from being part of the armed forces uniform to being a part of modern fashionable apparel, without changing its look. It has not succumbed to fashion in the way other apparel has. It still has that romantic, heroic look it had during the First World War.
If you still don’t have a military trench coat you should get one, so you too can enjoy the adulation that comes with wearing it.
Mens Trench Coats.
The mens trench coat for centuries has been one of the first choices of overcoat for the male adult, but over recent years its appeal has grown in the young adult department.
This growing popularity began somewhere in the 1950’s when young men wanted to look more mature, and so started to dress like their adult male relatives. They suck to the traditional black, gray, or beige trench coat.
Towards the end of the 1950’s the younger generation began to find their own identity and wanted to stand apart from the older generation, both in their attitudes and dress sense.
Fashion designers were creating ranges for separate age groups, with younger people being especially catered for.
The mens trench coat saw itself re invented with a new image to appeal to the younger man. Lapel sizes were changed and the new lengths moved away from the traditional full length trench coat.
The three quarter length trench coat appealed to the young man in the 1960’s. Worn over a polo neck jumper and casual trousers, he looked very smart to his peers.
What had started out as a warm overcoat worn by soldiers, such as the military trench coat, was evolving into a mens trench coat that was an essential fashion accessory.
The full length black leather trench coat was a huge hit in the 1970’s, with a deep vent that ran from just below the waist to the bottom of the coat. It closely resembled the thick woolen long trench coat that was worn by the drivers of the first motor cars. However, there was a big difference in its purpose. Whereas the early motor car drivers wore mens trench coats to protect themselves from the dirt and the cold, the 1970’s trench coat wearer just wanted to look good.
The late 70’s saw the gabardine trench coat make a comeback, whilst the leather model became the uniform of the ‘Goth’ or ‘Punk’.
London Fog and Burberry who had been manufacturing quality menswear for a Century or more, continued to keep up with the demand for new and interesting designs.
Other designers, such as Armani, who were more famous for their fashion wear began producing exciting mens trench coats that were a ‘must have’ for every fashion conscious individual.
And so we move to today, when the topcoat is still an essential part of any mans clothing collection.
Today you are spoilt for choice, and you can not only choose the style of trench coat you desire, but you can choose from a huge range of lengths, materials, and color finishes.
A lightweight fabric such as cotton may be your choice, or perhaps you’ll want a thicker woolen material. You may want to stick with black because it’s versatile, or opt for khaki or blue to look different from the majority. If you’re really particular, you can have one custom made to fit your measurements and specifications.
By wearing it with jeans or chinos and an open shirt or sweater, you can create a relaxed easy going look. By wearing it over dress trousers or a suit you transform the look to being more official and important.
With the help of your mens trench coat you can totally change your appearance, mood, and image.