An iconic piece of fashion nowadays
Everyone knows the iconic trench coat but few know how does this iconic fashion get it start. Women always look elegant and free wearing the trench coat and men look handsome and graceful, which make this garment become a necessity in everyone’s wardrobe nowadays. Trench coat is also one of my favorite outerwear that I often wear in different occasions. I always wonder how a piece of garment can be recognized iconic by almost everyone and I believe there must be a reason. Today, let’s dig into the secret behind this pop trench coat.
History
The popular trench coat is not as simple as it seems since it can be dated back to 150 years ago and originated from the troops. It was the product of World War I and was recognized as the most significant design at that time, although it may seem like incompatible with military uniform. It was not long before the war become the trench warfare, which protected the troops but also brought a series of problems including humid environment in rainy days and accumulated water. To solve the problem, the military officers need a type of light-weighted and waterproof accessory, which gave born to “Trench Coat”.
Who design it? The genuine inventor
Although Aquascutum and Burberry both advocated the inventory of the trench coat, the military officer hierarchy was the actual inventor of the coat.
However, these two brands did invent the new waterproof fabric respectively and applied it into the outerwear, which brought them lots of orders from the armies and the design of the trench coat finalized since then.
Classic color of trench coat
The most classic color of trench coat must be khaki. Khaki was originally used to describe the color of British uniforms in World War I, since the color was first used in the Indian colonial war, and in Hindi “khaki” means “dust”.
Design
Every element features military purpose
The design followed the uniform of that time: The coat is long, hits at the ankles or calves and features epaulettes, storm flaps, buckles and metal D-rings. As this was developed for military use, every one of the features serves a purpose.
Traditional elements
Large lapels of Napoleonic style and the double row of 10 buttons is obviously the military tradition. The length of the coat exceeded the knees is designed to move conveniently in the trench. On one hand the design of chatelaine considered convenience, on the other hand took military posture into account. The metal D-rings has no actual functions but have become a necessity on each design of the coat. The collars and cuffs can be tightened closely to prevent not only the rain and wind but also the chemical weapons such as poison gas, which show the cruelty of the war. There is one part on the trench coat that people don’t know the use of it, which is a piece of cloth on one side of the chest, some of which are even pinned by a button. As a matter of fact, this piece of cloth was designed to withstand against the gun that are put in front of it, to make the coat more wear-resisting. On the back shoulder of the trench coat, there is also an additional piece of cloth, which is actually an innovative design of the military cape at that time. Because the shoulder is the part that gets the most rain, a small cape is added here to allow the rainwater to flow along it and prevent it from seeping into the trench coat along the seam. What’s more, for the convenience , the big pocket which was used to put maps or other important warlike tools and the lower hem are respectively designed with buttons and belts.
How did it evolve?
The trench coat was also brought into life from the battlefield after the end of the first world war and quickly became a symbolic fashion element that has been handed down to this day. From Gone With the Wind to Casablanca, from James Bond to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the images of these classic icon wearing trench coat were all imprinted in people’s minds, which made it a fashion that never goes out of style.
Nowadays, trench coat has been adjusted to the trend of fashion year by year. Brands provide more and more choices such as different colors, slimmer tailor, various length and other change about the details.
No matter how the trench coat evolves, when it comes to the trench coats, they are still the clean and neat image of double-breasted garment in khaki in people’s mind.
C-Pocket 