Trench Coat - the 'Ultimate' Thread!

[Bruce Wayne]

I found my grandfather's old long leather coat(I'm not referring to it as a trench coat as it's single-breasted etc.). It doesn't look too bad, but it's stiff and creaks a lot.

What products I could use on it to make it less stiff and so on?

the first thing I would do is treat the leather with something like Lexol or a pecards like substance. You might need to put two or three coats on to get enough to penetrate it. That right there might be enough to loosen it up.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[BeauxArtStudent]

Haven't read through all 45 pages of this thread but there was always one feature on the trench coat that confused me: the gun flap. What is it for?

 

[Harp]

Haven't read through all 45 pages of this thread but there was always one feature on the trench coat that confused me: the gun flap. What is it for?

To cushion the right shoulder from rifle recoil.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

To cushion the right shoulder from rifle recoil.

What if it has double gun flaps?

I always figured the term "gun flap" was a misnomer. It (or they) act like the cape in the back do to provide an extra layer of protection from rain. The reason they do not go all the way to the bottom of the coat is because most rain falls on the chest, shoulders & upper back.

Futhermore, depending on the design, it can button over the very top of the coat to prevent rain from creeping in at the top.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

 

[Harp]

What if it has double gun flaps?

I always figured the term "gun flap" was a misnomer. It (or they) act like the cape in the back do to provide an extra layer of protection from rain.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

Perhaps the phrase gunstock pad is a misnomer. World War I trenchcoats did feature
double flaps which certainly added an extra layer to the garment front.
Some trenchcoats from the era only had a single pad flap.
Like the "pistol pocket"-whether one stores a revolver or a flask inside it-
the moniker stuck; though its purpose is open to martial/sartorial interpretation.

 

[PADDY]

Some vintage reference pics.

 

[John in Covina]

Those drawings look like the buttons are those leather covered ones.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Those drawings look like the buttons are those leather covered ones.

According to the descriptinons, the coats are made with leather buttons.

 

[mga1500]

Scotchguard a trenchcoat?

I found the trenchcoat of my dreams in a thrift shop for twenty dollars. I'm anxiously awaiting the cold wet rainstorms of winter. I've thought about applying Scotchguard waterproofing to it. Part of me says it's a great idea, it will increase both water and stain resistance. The other part of me says it's crazy, leave it alone, I'll just make a mess. Does anyone have thoughts or experiences to share. Thanks

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Pics? What is the coat shell made of? There might be better waterproofers out there for your coat depending on what it is made of.

 

[mga1500]

60% cotton 40% poly in a medium tan color.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=48&activity=

 

[Tomasso]

Test the water repellency of the fabric before you start spraying stuff on the coat. Some of those products can be deleterious to the color and handle of fabric.

 

[Patattack]

And don't forget to test the waterproofer on an inconspicuous spot first, to make sure that such a thing doesn't happen.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

http://artofmanliness.com/2010/10/20/man-guide-trench-coat/

 

[Mr Vim]

Bruce, a fine article indeed, I love that website.

I have been meanging to ask something about the trench coat for a while now, I notice the fit on many photos seems a little bit roomier than most other coats, am I imagining things? Maybe it was that poppy seed and spinch florentine bagel I had this morning.

Thoughts?

EDIT: I see the article Bruce posted touches on this topic, but I'd like others opinions as well.

 

[Daze]

Dannimac

I'm the happy owner of a danni mac Trenchcoat

only thing i can say is that it's a 'copy' of the armani trenchcoats used in the film the untouchables

i bought it for 250 quid on sale down from 400 ,

it's excellent , a round shouldered gray trench with a gray trilby.

i've been asked in the past by children 'Are you a detective?' when wearing this

I've also been asked by people i work with whether i'm the sort of person a detective would be looking for

( Flasher, or somebody with a shotgun under the coat just before entering a bank )

the Long Trench with the correct hat is a definate statement of ' Here I am , I look Good '

I've had an independant tailor ( currently making me some mtm trous,) say ' You look good , and that's good enough for me

 

[TrenchGuy]

I personally like my trench coat pretty slim fitting.

Could you post a pisture of a person wearing a trench coat "little roomier than other coats" so I can give my opinion on it?

 

[Mr Vim]

Of course, these photos are from the Art of Manliness article Bruce posted earlier.

The original trench:

Bogie:

The two coats in these photos really strike me as a bit roomy for the person's frame, and I too own a size 38 trench while my chest size is a 36, it looks a little roomy, sorry I do not yet have photos for that.

 

[TrenchGuy]

Bogie's coat does look a bit roomy, especially if he is wearing a suit under it and I think he is.

I can't really say anything about the first picture as the coat is unbuttoned.