The duffle coat originated as a coat worn by fishermen in Northern Europe, and is also known as a military item that was adopted by the Royal Navy for winter wear on board ships. Today, duffle coats have become firmly established as real clothes, and their silhouettes and details have been updated to incorporate various styles. In this issue, we focus on the duffle coat and introduce its origins, characteristics, and notable outfits and items!
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First things firstWhat is the origin of the duffle coat?
It is a type of outerwear that is said to have originated around 1820 as a winter coat worn by fishermen who risked their lives fishing on the raging North Sea in winter. Later, it developed into a military coat, as British Army General Bernard Montgomery, known as “Monty” during World War II, was a fan of the duffle coat. Major Sterling, who became the founder of the British Special Forces SAS, was also a duffle coat lover. It is said that the duffle coat was widely adopted by the Royal Navy during World War II as warm-weather clothing, and became popular among the general public when surplus stock of the coat was sold off and put on the market after the war. The most well-known standard duffle coats are those of Groverall of England and Old England of France.
Focus on the details!What are the characteristics of a duffle coat?
There are now many different types of duffle coats, ranging from the most classic to the most varied. Understanding what makes a duffle coat a duffle coat will give you the perspective to choose the one you like best from among the many duffle coats available. The five most common characteristics of a duffle coat are ” fabric,” “hood,” “toggles,” “pockets,” and “length. Each of them has details for fishermen and the British army to utilize as a winter coat.
Characteristics of duffle coat 1Dense wool material
While wool material in general has a soft texture, the fabric used for duffle coats is “melton,” a dense, heavy fabric. Once woven, the fabric is shrunk and felted to hide the weave, preventing wind and cold air from penetrating the fabric and improving its cold protection function. Today, there are duffle coats made of polyester or fleece, but items made of wool melton are more classic. Incidentally, the name “duffle coat” comes from Dufel (duffel), a city near Antwerpen, Belgium, where melton originates.
Features of the duffle coat 2Large hood that even covers the hat
The hat is one item that cannot be removed from a soldier’s formal wear. Many military coats have hoods designed to be large enough to be worn with a hat. Among them, the hoods of duffle coats, compared to items such as parkas, are often designed with a large gusset or with a distinctive horizontal seam.
Features of Duffle Coats 3Toggle buttons adopted for ease of putting on and taking off
The front of a duffle coat is fastened not with buttons but with a floating clasp called a toggle and a pair of loops. Unlike buttons, this feature allows the wearer to put on and take off the duffle coat while wearing gloves. In addition, the right and left fronts can be easily interchanged, providing wind protection from multiple directions. Two types of materials are available: wooden toggles with hemp cord loops and buffalo horn toggles with leather loops.
Duffle coat features 4Large-capacity patch pockets
The pockets used in duffle coats are generally large patch pockets. Patch pockets are characterized by their large capacity and easy attachment. This is an ideal specification for military uniforms, where functionality is required. The yoke is also designed to be as large as the hood and pockets.
Characteristics of Duffle Coat 5Powerful Long Length
Duffle coats, which were utilized as winter coats, are authentic with a length that goes down to the knees to protect more body area. In recent years, short-length duffle coats have also been sold, but the recent trend of returning to the classics has made long coats a seasonal item, so if in doubt, it is better to choose a long-length model.
Next, we will introduce some notable outfits using duffle coats and recommended items!
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