Trench Coat - the 'Ultimate' Thread!

Old Paul · Sep 1, 2010

Here in the UK, Marks & Spencers are selling this -

http://www.marksandspencer.com/Stor...&ref=sr_1_10&qid=1283342966&sr=1-10&rh=&page=

Any thoughts or opinions, gentlemen? They had the same or a similar trenchcoat out last autumn, which felt pretty good to me, but I haven't enough of a background in vintage clothing to make a comparison.

Harp · Sep 1, 2010

Old Paul said:
Here in the UK, Marks & Spencers are selling this -
Any thoughts or opinions, gentlemen? They had the same or a similar trenchcoat out last autumn, which felt pretty good to me, but I haven't enough of a background in vintage clothing to make a comparison.

A nice coat, but a true trench retains the originality of the famed
British WWI version: shoulder gunstock pad, throat storm flap etc.;
descriptive hints such as "innovative, stylish" imply the politically correct
neutered garb hawked today. Troll eBay, be patient and squeeze the trigger
on the real deal.

Give it the David Niven test. Niven was Sandhurst and a stickler for quality;
would he have worn a neutered knockoff trench? Absolutely not.

(now wait until somebody posts a picture of Dave proving me wrong)

lol

TrenchGuy · Sep 1, 2010

Umm, the only thing that coat didn't have was a storm flap. It had all the other features of the original trench coat. I wouldn't really call that neutered knockoff yet.

What do you mean with shoulder gunstock pad? If you mean epaulets, they aren't for stocking a gun and they never were. Epaulets are for all kinds of rank insignia.

Ugarte · Sep 1, 2010

Harp said:
Give it the David Niven test. Niven was Sandhurst and a stickler for quality;
would he have worn a neutered knockoff trench? Absolutely not.
(now wait until somebody posts a picture of Dave proving me wrong) lol

A fashion gauge to keep close -- WWDNW?

What Would David Nivin Wear?

Unfortunately, a pencil moustache is completely out of the question in my case.

Mark
.

Harp · Sep 1, 2010

TrenchGuy said:
Umm, the only thing that coat didn't have was a storm flap. It had all the other features of the original trench coat. I wouldn't really call that neutered knockoff yet.

What do you mean with shoulder gunstock pad? If you mean epaulets, they aren't for stocking a gun and they never were. Epaulets are for all kinds of rank insignia.

...right shoulder gunstock pad to cushion recoil.
Not to be confused with epaulets.

As remarked, a trench that fails to adhere to the original coat...

Like I said, would Dave wear it?

Harp · Sep 1, 2010

Ugarte said:
A fashion gauge to keep close -- WWDNW?

What Would David Nivin Wear?

Unfortunately, a pencil moustache is completely out of the question in my case.

Mark
.

*WWDNW* applicable yardstick to said item only.

Other sartorial or grooming issues germane to individual circumstance excepted.

...sorry to learn about the pencil 'stache problemo.

Ugarte · Sep 1, 2010

Harp said:
...sorry to learn about the pencil 'stache problemo.

I am facially-hair challenged. Or something like that.

Mark
.

Harp · Sep 1, 2010

Ugarte said:
I am facially-hair challenged. Or something like that.

Mark
.

Understood.

Consider yourself fortuned Mark by avoiding the cost of shaving tackle.

fftopic: Ever fly rod the San Juan River? Best trout run in this life.

fiddletown · Sep 1, 2010

TrenchGuy said:
Umm, the only thing that coat didn't have was a storm flap. It had all the other features of the original trench coat. ...

Except I don't see any grenade rings ("D" rings on the belt to hang grenades from).

TrenchGuy said:
.... If you mean epaulets, ... Epaulets are for all kinds of rank insignia.

They are also for securing the straps of anything you might want to carry on a strap slung over your shoulder. The "Marks & Sparks" version seems to have epaulets, but I can't tell if they are working epaulets (ones that button so that they may be undone and then buttoned over anything you might want to carry).

ETA -- I just looked at the M&S ad again, and it does appear that the epaulets are working ones.

Ugarte · Sep 1, 2010

Harp said:
Understood.

Consider yourself fortuned Mark by avoiding the cost of shaving tackle.

I suppose I do. I use one of those multi-bladed razors. I think mine packs 4. I recently paid something like $20 usd for four blades. Ye gods, that is insane.

fftopic: Ever fly rod the San Juan River? Best trout run in this life.

Not much on fishing. Mostly because I'm on the other side of the state -- I live in the the desert west Texas part of New Mexico. I'll just leave it at that.

Mark
.

TrenchGuy · Sep 1, 2010

Harp said:
...right shoulder gunstock pad to cushion recoil.
Not to be confused with epaulets.

That isn't a feature of the original trench. Original trench is double-breasted, has epaulets, belt, storm patch, rain cape, D-rings and a belt or buttons on the cuffs.

Originally trench coats don't have shoulder pads.

DragonJade · Sep 1, 2010

fiddletown said:
Except I don't see any grenade rings ("D" rings on the belt to hang grenades from).

They are also for securing the straps of anything you might want to carry on a strap slung over your shoulder. The "Marks & Sparks" version seems to have epaulets, but I can't tell if they are working epaulets (ones that button so that they may be undone and then buttoned over anything you might want to carry).

ETA -- I just looked at the M&S ad again, and it does appear that the epaulets are working ones.

From the website:

Product details

* Classic collar
* Double breasted
* Detachable epaulettes
* Long sleeve with strap and buckle feature
* Button fastening
* Adjustable cuff tabs
* Rear extendable vent and storm flap
* Side pockets with warm lining
* Water repellent
* Soft touch fabric
* Detachable warm lining with check print
* Comes with the belt shown with traditional grenade D-rings on belt
* Stormwear combines our unique stormwear finish with our stain repellent technology so you will stay dry and comfortable all day long

fiddletown · Sep 1, 2010

You're right. I didn't read far enough.

Harp · Sep 1, 2010

TrenchGuy said:
That isn't a feature of the original trench. Original trench is double-breasted, has epaulets, belt, storm patch, rain cape, D-rings and a belt or buttons on the cuffs.

Originally trench coats don't have shoulder pads.

A trenchcoat reference source: Uniforms and Equipment of the British Army in World War I
by Stephen J. Chambers might prove useful.
Chambers' book features several officers wearing a shoulder pad trenchcoat.
Burberry's original design may not have initially included this particular feature,
but the shoulder pad adoption apparently was made soon thereafter.

DragonJade · Sep 1, 2010

fiddletown said:
You're right. I didn't read far enough.

I know, it's easy to get distracted by all the pictures. Speaking of which, I noticed what looked like reach-though holes in the lining. I take it that this trench has pockets on the inside. I don't recall ever seeing a trench with pockets on the inside before. Is it common?

Old Paul, pop down to M&S and try it on. If you like the look and feel of it, go for it. You can never really tell in a picture what it'll actually look like on you.

Personally, I think it's a tad too short, but that's just my opinion. My trench goes past the knees - something I asked for and definitely need for the typhoon seasons in Japan. The rain back in Blighty doesn't really have call for a coat as long as mine, so don't make it too much of a concern for yourself.

EDIT: Forget what I said about it looking short. I just looked at the video and it looks longer than I thought it was.

TrenchGuy · Sep 2, 2010

Well, my trench coat has pockets on both sides inside. All the trench coats I have tried on at thrift stores have had pockets inside. I guess they usually have pockets inside.

Harp · Sep 3, 2010

TrenchGuy said:
... I guess they usually have pockets inside.

A pistol pocket-de rigeur.

No Ace up-the-sleeve stuff, just standard backup iron. Parked on the left side for right hand draw.
Bet Burberry wasn't a southpaw.

DragonJade · Sep 3, 2010

TrenchGuy said:
Well, my trench coat has pockets on both sides inside. All the trench coats I have tried on at thrift stores have had pockets inside. I guess they usually have pockets inside.

Bum. Mine doesn't haven any pockets on the inside.

Maybe I'll add one in sometime.

Mr Vim · Sep 3, 2010

I just purchased a nice London Fog trench coat, has all the accoutrements, storm guard, adjustable cuffs and the like.

And believe me, it's needed in Juneau, it rains almost everyday here.

Price: London Fog... silly name.
Draper: I like the name. What's wrong with it?
Price: Well, there is no London Fog! It was coal dust, back in the 1800's, and Dickens' imagination really.

TrenchGuy · Sep 3, 2010

I found my grandfather's old long leather coat(I'm not referring to it as a trench coat as it's single-breasted etc.). It doesn't look too bad, but it's stiff and creaks a lot.

What products I could use on it to make it less stiff and so on?

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