Sleeve Straps--Ornamental, or Functional?

[Troglodyte]

Another thread has gotten me wondering--have the epaulet-shaped straps on coat sleeves always just been ornaments, or did they once have an actual useful function?

My Dr Who/Das Boot style leather coat has them secured by buttons, and my trench coat has them secured with a buckle.

What are the darned things for?!?

Trog

 

[dhermann1]

If they're what I think they are, I think they're for rolling up your sleeves and making them stay up. There should be a button on the inside of the sleeve for that purpose.
On rereading your post, what I'm referring to is straps on shirt sleeves. Don't know what similar straps on a coat sleeve would be. Pics?

 

[Tomasso]

The cinches were meant to be tightened up in order to protect the wearer from inclement weather.

 

[Daniel Hunter]

Ok, so what if the cuffs only have one button? (like the U-Boat/Doctor Who coats)

Do you wrap the strap around the cuff the opposite way to tighten the cuff?

 

[Fiver64]

cuff straps

In some cases they seem to actually serve a function of tightening to keep the wind from going up the wrist, but I think in most cases they are simply classy looking decorations. The shirt straps are a different matter, and not the same as jacket cuff straps.

 

[Troglodyte]

I love this place!

Thanks, Tomosso, DHermann, and Fiver!

Mr. Hunter had been discussing this via PM, and our research and internet scanning yielded nothing.

I've never brought a question to the lounge that hasn't quickly gotten a complete answer.

This internet thing may catch on...

Gratefully,
Trog

 

[Daniel Hunter]

I give it another six months.....

Then back to newspapers for us all.

 

[cptjeff]

Ok, so what if the cuffs only have one button? (like the U-Boat/Doctor Who coats)

Do you wrap the strap around the cuff the opposite way to tighten the cuff?

Those are ones where it has become a vestigial element and is now merely decorative and reminiscent of it's earlier function. Like suit lapels and lapel buttonholes. Or the buttons on the cuff of your average sportcoat.

 

[Papa M]

Or the buttons on the cuff of your average sportcoat.

Ah! The old midshipman "Snotties" story.