Help me name this accessory! (close cousin to the throat latch, I believe)

[robertsieg]

Hey gents, this will be a newbie question for most of you, but the answer has eluded me for a long time. Years ago I saw some trench coats and even some sports coats with this detail, and I tried to make a mental notation for the future when I would request this for a custom garment. Alas, it has been forgotten long since. And yes, I did search this forum thoroughly but to no avail. But luckily I recently found a picture which shows this exact accessory:

http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Vintage-jacket-leather-bag-with-scarf-in-mismatching-brown-tones-300x450.jpg

It's the kidney bean shaped detachable 'latch' under the gentleman's collar. I'd like to ask, this is a trench coat feature first, and a sports coat feature second, correct? Any other garments you might find it on? It seems like a more casual, sporting look. Also, I seem to remember it being placed under the lapel, or even inside the coat itself. Does the placement vary? I thought I remember a picture of Prince Charles closing his lapels with it, not the collar. Thanks for any info you can give!

 

[Peacoat]

Hard to tell from the picture what exactly you are referring to, but from your description, I would say it is what is commonly known as a throat latch. It is found on WWII pea coats. With the large collar popped up, and the throat latch fastened, the winter winds are sealed out.

 

[robertsieg]

Well I always understood the 'throat latch' to be this:

http://img-1.gearbuyer.com/lambourne_herringbone_wool_sport_coat_mens_color_grey_p1_.jpg

...A modification to the collar itself which allows the wearer to button it to the other side. To have a detatchable piece for the same effect is a different animal entirely, or so I've been lead to believe.

 

[handymike]

I believe it is a throat latch.
I bought a similar blazer from Zara last Summer.

 

[Peacoat]

In peacoat circles we have always called them a "throat latch." I looked up the definition of a throat latch. The closest I could find is, "A strap that passes under a horse's throat and helps to hold a bridle or halter in place."

 

[Baron Kurtz]

It's a throat latch, whether it's grown onto the collar, attached underneath, or removable. The term refers to the function of the item, which is independent of the attachment.

 

[IXL]

Filson refers to this as a throat latch, on their products.