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.
Gothic Trench Coats For Men.
The gothic trench coat for men is the preferred coat of the confident self assured individual. Someone who is happy to be noticed but doesn’t care whether you approve or disapprove of his image.
The punk rock movement of the late 1970’s saw the introduction of this style of topcoat. If fitted perfectly with their other apparel such as ripped clothes and bondage trousers. Jewelry usually included safety pins and razor blades, and it was intended to shock.
The gothic trench coat for men has many designs, one of which is the bondage coat. This design has tapes or chains running from the sleeves to the main body of the garment. It creates a rather sexual and sensual image.
Other designs that are very popular include the ‘Vampire’ and the ‘Emo’ trench coat. They are usually very similar to the traditional gothic trench coat for men, but the fabric may be slightly different.
Leather, velvet, PVC, cotton twill, and faux fur are just some of the materials that are commonly used to make the coats, but the PVC and the full length leather trench coat are definitely the most popular.
The fitting of the coat can vary from straight figure hugging, to fitted to the waist and widening towards the hem. A long back vent is included to enable the wearer to easily sit down.
Originally the gothic trench coat always had a single or double row of buttons. However, as fashions changed later models began to have a hook and eye or zipper fastening. Indeed, some models even have lacing on the rear upper part.
The gothic trench coat for men can be spotted on many a leading actor in both old and new movies. You are just as likely to see the hero and the villain both wearing one. That’s because Hollywood screen writers know the appeal of this style of coat. Everyone can picture The Matrix in his full length gothic trench coat.
The fans of the gothic style are known as ‘Goths’. They usually wear dark clothing, black eye shadow and eye liner, have black or red lips, and black hair.
As with any group, gang, or cult, they present a mysterious image that can often be quite intimidating to the older generation. However, one should remember that the ‘Teddy Boys’ of the 50’s, the ‘Mods and Rockers’ and ‘Hippies’ of the 60’s all created a similar image. And they turned out alright, didn’t they?
With every generation come new designs, new ideas, and new ways to shock and surprise the older generations.
The gothic trench coats for men are all about standing out in a crowd of people. They are about showing that you won’t conform and blend away.
Vampire Coats.
The vampire coat is yet another name for what many know as a gothic trench coat.
It is most commonly made from leather or PVC, is almost always full length, and has quite a distinctive look about it.
There are occasions when it is made from a softer fabric such as velvet, but while some men and women choose these types, it is the bolder fabrics that tend to be the more popular with the gents. The softer versions will tend to have frills attached around the neck and cuff area.
The vampire coat got its name for a number of reasons, and these are just a few:
One reason is that the appearance of this garment is rather scary and goes along with the ‘Goth’ image of dark hair, black eye makeup, and blood red lips.
Another reason is that many vampire movies(both old and new) show the crucifix carrying hero donning a full length gothic coat. Many of the characters in the famous ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ series wore this type of outfit.
The vampire coat is almost always black and often has some sort of design on the upper back part of the garment. Most common is a white or red crucifix, but some are seen with a picture of a skull, ‘The Grim Reaper’, or Satan.
The more intricate the design, the more you can expect to pay for the garment, and although bargains can be found most ‘v c’ lovers will willingly pay any price for their preferred design.
The lining of the vampire coat is frequently made from red silk, and the wearer often leaves the coat buttons or zipper open to show off this fact.
The shape of the garment may vary, some being close fitting from top to bottom, while others are fitted to the waist then flare out from the waist downwards.
When you choose any item of clothing you are also creating an image, and the image that this style presents makes it a very popular choice for the extrovert man. If the wearer is not extrovert by nature, then he will still give the impression that he is brimming with inner confidence.
The vampire coat creates an aura of both mystery and power, you will most certainly stand out, and you will definitely be noticed.
Gothic Trench Coats.
The gothic trench coat is a symbol of independent thinking. The wearer of such a coat does not care about following convention, in fact gothic trench coats are more often worn by those who refuse to conform.
Over the years fashions have changed radically, from wanting to dress like our parents, to wanting to outrage our parents with a radical dress code.
The latter part of the 1970’s saw the emergence of the Punk Rock movement. The music was loud and often offensive, and the clothing matched the image. Ripped clothing, spiky hair, safety pins, chains, and razorblades featured strongly in the ‘Punk’s’ uniform. Also a vital part of the image was a long black gothic trench coat.
The gothic trench coat was always black in color, full length, and often trailed on the ground.
The traditional ‘Punk’ image started to change in the early 1980’s, and soon transformed into what would soon become the Gothic movement.
The ‘Goth’ bore a large resemblance to the ‘Punk’, but with several differences. The spiky hair was replaced by jet black dyed hair. The safety pins and razor blades were replace by the crucifix and black beads.
Everything seemed to be black, from the excessive black eye makeup and lipstick, to the clothing. Again, the most vital ingredient in the ‘Goth’s’ wardrobe was a black full length trench coat.
The ‘Goth’ trench coat was also referred to as a vampire coat. This was partly because it had featured so heavily in old horror movies, but also because the name fitted so well with the sometimes scary vision of the ‘Goth’.
The gothic trench coat of today can be made from a huge variety of materials. The favorite model seems to remain the leather trench coat style, the Vinyl full length trench coat, and the double breasted trench coat style.
Whilst plain gothic trench coats are very popular others are more elaborately decorated. Images of skulls, or crosses, may be printed or embroidered on the back. Skull buttons or hook and zipper fastenings may replace the traditional button up style.
The gothic trench coat may be slim fitting or may flare out from the waist down. The variety of shapes allows the wearer to choose which model suits him best.
In more recent times the gothic coats have been known by a host of names including; gothic priest trench coats, pirate trench coats, and ‘Emo’ trench coats.
The ‘Emo’s’ are very similar to the ‘Goths’ and the ‘Punks’ and although there is always huge controversy about where they got their name, the ‘Emo’s’ certainly love their black hair, makeup, and their gothic trench coats.
You can find a gothic trench coat style in most of the top designer’s collections. And amongst the most sought after labels are Lip Service and Gothic Punk.
The gothic trench coat has been around for a long time, and thanks to its growing popularity it’s likely to be here for generations to come.