It's freezing out there and if you need a warm casual coat then check out the Duffle Coat.
This style has been yoyoing in and out of popularity since WW2 when it was standard issue in the British
Royal Navy. This ¾ length coat was ideal to keep protected from the high seas with a hood, easy to fasten and unfasten wooden toggles and large patch
pockets to keep your hands warm. It was worn by all ranks, came in camel only and became famously
associated with Field Marshal Montgomery which led to the coat being affectionately
nicknamed the ‘Monty’
The British firm Gloverall started off selling navy surplus
duffle coats in 1951 but soon moved on to producing their own style of duffle
in 1954.
 |
| Monty duffle |
The original Monty style was knee length with wooden toggles
and jute rope fastening.
Gloverall still
make this original style plus an updated mid length version in navy and the original camel.
Fabric: 90% boiled wool and 10% pa cloth
Price: £270
 |
| Gloverall duffle |
However it is what is called a Gloverall duffle that is the
most popular style today.
With buffalo horn toggles instead of wood and leather
fastenings instead of rope, large pockets with flaps and the check interior
double faced fabric.
Fabric: 80% wool, 20% pa.
Price was £295.
Available in a variety of colours
 |
| Raf Simons |
Belgian menswear designer Raf Simons takes the duffle back
to its roots. The name derives from the
Antwerp province of Duffel where the thick woollen fabric used to make the coat
originated from. The duffel coat was a key piece on his AW11 catwalk show.
Simons mixes tradition with contemporary: the camel colour
is both traditional and also on trend for this season, the toggles off to the side
mimic the original Monty but the double rope fastening does not stretch over the front so gives the
coat a more tailored and minimalistic look.
Horn toggles are partnered with a double rope fastening instead of the
leather.
Mr Porter is having a
sale and Raf Simon’s duffle coat is reduced by 50% from £830 to £415.
Fabric: 100% wool with 50% viscose and 50% cupro lining.
 |
| ASOS duffle |
ASOS makes the duffle coat in to a
jacket with its short bonded wool duffle coat. Unlike Raf Simons simplistic style, here the
white thick twisted rope cord fastening stands out prominently from the navy as
a kind of embellishment giving a slight military feel to the whole look
This short style is better suited
for the smaller guy. Because the toggle fastenings are prominent and stop quite
high up the coat, the taller guy will just look as though he’s outgrown his
duffle.
Fabric: 62% polyester, 34%wool,
3%acrylic and 1% nylon Price £85
Seen here with chunky mittens £10,
cropped trousers £32 and chukka boots £50.
