The GREAT BRITISH DUFFEL COAT thread

[Doctor Damage]

I'm afraid I've been drawing a blank on the Duffel/Duffle spelling difference, except to say that as a general rule 'Duffle' is applied to bags, 'Duffel' to coats (the design and material of the coat seem to originate in Brabant, which is now part of Belgium). 'Duffle' is also a variant spelling of the coat, but I think it is either simply a misspelling or an attempt at Anglicisation. I think that the 'Duffle Bag' might have originated in the USA.

Thanks for digging around.

 

[NicM]

I’ve taken taken delivery of WW2 duffle coat, one of the early versions with the press-stud hood adjusters. As far I can find out these were 100% boiled wool felt (post war ones shifted to mixing in artificial fibres, except the early Gloveralls in the 1950s). Mine is a bit grubby in places but looking good for 80-odd! It does have that long-storage smell to it too.

I wondered if anyone here had tips (better yet, experience) of washing these coats. Some online sources say to dry clean but others say that strips the natural lanolin waterproofing and you’re better to cold wash in a bath tub with Woolite or similar.

Has anyone successfully hand washed their pure wool duffle coat?

 

[Doctor Damage]

I’ve taken taken delivery of WW2 duffle coat, one of the early versions with the press-stud hood adjusters. As far I can find out these were 100% boiled wool felt (post war ones shifted to mixing in artificial fibres, except the early Gloveralls in the 1950s). Mine is a bit grubby in places but looking good for 80-odd! It does have that long-storage smell to it too.

I wondered if anyone here had tips (better yet, experience) of washing these coats. Some online sources say to dry clean but others say that strips the natural lanolin waterproofing and you’re better to cold wash in a bath tub with Woolite or similar.

Has anyone successfully hand washed their pure wool duffle coat?

Here's something I posted in the big "overcoat" thread. A friend of mine has successfully washed his Brooks Brother camel hair polo coat a few times. It's not the same as a duffle coat, but it's a very expensive coat and not the sort of thing you'd want to roll-the-dice with! You certainly don't want to take a chance with a vintage duffle either, although for different reasons other than value. Here's my friend's description (below). This does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement, just information for you to adopt or ignore at your discretion.

Warmish water.
Gentle soap, I think I used shampoo.
Once the water is covering the coat, just sort of swish it around gently, working any specific dirty spots a little more so.
Drain the old water. Run fresh water without soap/shampoo and swish around again. Drain once more.
I then run the shower and flip the coat over to make sure any soapy water is washed away.
Turn off the shower and let all water drain away.
Roll the coat and do your best to drain as much water away as possible. The coat will hold a lot!
Hang the coat on the shower curtain, it will be heavy but I let it drip a while.
Roll the coat in a large towel to remove some more water.
You can then hang the coat somewhere but be prepared as it will drip for a long time, hours even.
Alternatively I suppose you could just lay it on a towel to avoid any potential shape alteration, but mine hasn't suffered from that issue.
I've not really noticed much negative as a result. Perhaps the hem is a bit puckered in a couple of spots, but maybe you could iron it out, but I've not bothered with it.
Be careful with the back of the collar so that it is shaped properly while drying.
I've done mine two or three times over the years and it is much softer as a result.
Good luck and just use some common sense especially during the dripping/drying stage to keep its shape properly.

 

[regius]

I've dug out my Cro Jack duffle from the closet and been wearing it. Bought it eight years ago when I was skinny, so it's size S, but it still fits perfectly, wraps around my torso and hip like a blanket, nice sleeve length too. I just don't want to take it off! Anyone knows about this English brand? Cro Jack.... does Gloveral do contract manufacturing for them?

 

[regius]

Just googled them, very few styles being offered, and no big coat in sight...I guess mine is a discontinued model.

 

[l0fielectronic]

I've dug out my Cro Jack duffle from the closet and been wearing it. Bought it eight years ago when I was skinny, so it's size S, but it still fits perfectly, wraps around my torso and hip like a blanket, nice sleeve length too. I just don't want to take it off! Anyone knows about this English brand? Cro Jack.... does Gloveral do contract manufacturing for them?

I remember they had a big clear out on eBay around 2017 I think, I bought a couple of their waistcoats there which were very good. I had the impression they were ceasing trading at the time from their posts online but I can see they've launched a lot of new items again this year.

I believe they make all their own items in house in Wolverhampton - lsmanufacturing.com is the parent company/owner.

 

[Whitters]

Good morning folks.

This is my first post on this thread.

I would appreciate some advice on this duffel coat, I purchased it a few years ago on ebay.

If anyone has any knowledge about the manufacturer I would love to hear about it.

The jacket is in fair condition, except that it lost its toggle ties (I did not realise this when I purchased it!)
Also would using leather to fix the issue be acceptable..

Kind regards Adrian


P.s. I am open to offers as I have not worn it in a while [emoji106]

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[Ticklishchap]

Good morning folks.

This is my first post on this thread.

I would appreciate some advice on this duffel coat, I purchased it a few years ago on ebay.

If anyone has any knowledge about the manufacturer I would love to hear about it.

The jacket is in fair condition, except that it lost its toggle ties (I did not realise this when I purchased it!)
Also would using leather to fix the issue be acceptable..

Kind regards Adrian


P.s. I am open to offers as I have not worn it in a while [emoji106]

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

Has it lost all its toggle ties?
I’m interested by the brand but don’t know it - but I assume that it’s German, Austrian or Swiss in origin!
I might be interested and would like to know what size it is.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Good morning folks.

This is my first post on this thread.

I would appreciate some advice on this duffel coat, I purchased it a few years ago on ebay.

If anyone has any knowledge about the manufacturer I would love to hear about it.

The jacket is in fair condition, except that it lost its toggle ties (I did not realise this when I purchased it!)
Also would using leather to fix the issue be acceptable..

Kind regards Adrian


P.s. I am open to offers as I have not worn it in a while [emoji106]

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I also meant to say welcome to the site!

 

[Whitters]

Has it lost all its toggle ties?
I’m interested by the brand but don’t know it - but I assume that it’s German, Austrian or Swiss in origin!
I might be interested and would like to know what size it is.

The top one is still there...

As for the brand as far as I can tell it is Dutch

Size M/L
I have a 42 inch chest and there is plenty of room..

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[Ticklishchap]

The top one is still there...

As for the brand as far as I can tell it is Dutch

Size M/L
I have a 42 inch chest and there is plenty of room..

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That’s interesting- I assumed it was German because of the woll label but the name could well be Dutch.

 

[Whitters]

The top one is still there...

As for the brand as far as I can tell it is Dutch

Size M/L
I have a 42 inch chest and there is plenty of room..

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Correction

The top two are there.

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[Ticklishchap]

Correction

The top two are there.

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That looks very nice close up. It would be good for wearing over one of my many wool military sweaters - for example the olive green Army Woolly Pully or the desert Sand WP.

 

[Whitters]

Just measured it with the first two toggles tied.
22 inch

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[Doctor Damage]

^ That's a really great looking vintage duffle coat. The cloth is a traditional wool weave (you can see where the nap has worn off) and the use of ropes and wooden toggles is pleasing to the eye (less commonly seen today). It appears to be a woman's coat, given that it "buttons" to the left side.

 

[Ticklishchap]

Goodness - you’re right Dr Damage!!! I’d be interested in a gent’s version of this coat.

 

[Whitters]

^ That's a really great looking vintage duffle coat. The cloth is a traditional wool weave (you can see where the nap has worn off) and the use of ropes and wooden toggles is pleasing to the eye (less commonly seen today). It appears to be a woman's coat, given that it "buttons" to the left side.

I wore it for a while without knowing!

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[Whitters]

I found the link earlier, I think it is the same coat

http://tweedlandthegentlemansclub.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-echte-leidse-zeeduffel.html?m=1

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[Whitters]

I have just checked and the toggle ties have been cut on both edges, so I guess like the top row can be fastened either way.
Both sides are the same length


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[Seb Lucas]

Yes, it's Dutch. I bought a dark grey one of these in Amsterdam 40 years ago. The cloth is marked sea duffel from Leiden (a city in South Holland).