Film Noir Buff Style Forum / Take It Or Leave It: The Duffle Coat

A Fine Sadness · 2021-09-27 02:17:40

Some of you, I'm certain, will be repelled by the very idea. But the thought of having something tucked away in the wardrobe that can be worn during many a winter (or autumn if it comes to that) has massive appeal for me nowadays. My old Gloverall might be seeing service very soon, the way things are shaping up in the UK. Now - ah-ha - will you wear it with a college scarf? I will, if I'm in the mood, even though my student days are long over. Yet, if you like, what could be more 'Ivy'? You can wear those two items with more or less anything down below: cords, jeans, chinos - possibly nothing more formal - and with more or less any casual footwear: desert boots, chukka boots, penny loafers even (though I wouldn't). Probably not wingtips. I think Deakins or Padmore and Barnes would fit the bill. Paraboot would also be fine. Some of you will have your own ideas on how to do this, but - duffle, long woollen scarf, OCBD, Shetland crew-neck, cords, boots would be my ideal (substituting a v-neck for the crew). You could top this off with the classic tweed or cord cap and never mind 'Peaky Blinders'.

Winter Of Discontent Ivy?

An Unseen Scene · 2021-09-27 02:29:40

I like the wool 'car coat' which works well over a sport jacket for work. The old Wolsey ones that turn up on ebay are great quality. The best one of these is a Barbour wool coat in black from before they became less formal that is incredible weight and protection. So I like the Gloverall 'Litchfield' coat style but not so keen on a duffle coat for myself.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-09-27 02:44:28

The 'car coat' - despised by some - performed a highly useful function when cars were still just travelling ice-boxes. I seem to remember, albeit very hazily, passing an English example on to one of our German friends, the esteemed HBH. He might remember better than I. As Eliot said, I grow old, I grow old, shall I wear the bottoms of my chinos rolled?

An Unseen Scene · 2021-09-27 02:54:36

I do now wear my chino bottoms rolled!

RobbieB · 2021-09-27 04:11:40

I have worn Gloverall duffle coat in my student days. Normally with sand desert boots. I remember being surprised when some considered the duffle to be an Ivy item. What I do like is they still make them in the UK. Every so often I am tempted to buy one again until my wife (who is into Ivy clothes) puts a block on it, with some well chosen words of derision.

Yuca · 2021-09-27 09:30:43

Your wife is correct. For me it's another in the ivy I dislike list. Practical, I'll admit, and they do actually look pretty good, in an early prep way, in shots of Nicholson and Garfunkel in the 1971 movie Carnal Knowledge (which I've never seen). If I had one and were in a cold climate I suppose I would pair it with the obvious i.e. cords, ocbd, Shetland, Red Wings and a bold scarf.

Nonetheless, not for me.

Yuca · 2021-09-27 09:32:17

Maybe it's like the repp tie: too many naff associations for those of us who grew up in Blighty.

Patrick · 2021-09-27 10:25:21

Nah. When it's really cold I wear a down jacket, I don't care if it looks like crap (and it does). I'll wear a waxed coat for chilly/rainy stuff.

Since I work almost entirely from home now I have to invent reasons to put on proper clothes. Pass the Hot Cheetos, please.

Yuca · 2021-09-27 10:37:39

Down jacket? Does that mean Puffa style? They looked pretty good in An American Werewolf in London. Rugged ivy I would say.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-09-27 10:54:17

I think those jackets have long had unfortunate connotations in the UK - same with 'North Face' (although I suppose it amounts to the same thing). Seen on sexy but dodgy girls about twenty-plus years ago. Also dodgy lads, the type who might go in for a bit of housebreaking etc.

Yuca · 2021-09-27 11:00:37

I used to love wearing vintage down jackets. Unfortunate connotations it's true but tbh that was part of the appeal. If only I'd known of selvedge jeans and Red Wings back then they would have looked even better.

North Face is a completely different story. It's very rare I like an external logo and that sure as hell isn't an example.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-12-22 07:23:03

I'm pretty sure The Weejun 'blogged' on the duffle coat. Pure Ivy gold, I've worn it most days whilst on walks this past fortnight, sometimes with a college or cashmere scarf, sometimes with a sweatshirt beneath. If it was good enough for The Weejun it's good enough for me!

RobbieB · 2021-12-22 08:06:19

Every so often I flirt with the idea of a duffle coat only to be talked down by my missus who remembers me wearing them the first time round.
I'm now wearing duck down coats because outside temperatures of dropped to -16C .

A Fine Sadness · 2021-12-22 08:11:35

Lord above! It's hovering around freezing here and I've got the central heating on.

Kingston1an · 2021-12-22 08:20:28

The duffle coat is a bit Student Grant and CND marchs.

Though manufacturers prefer to play up the Field Marshall Montgomery and ‘Cruel Sea’ angle.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-12-22 08:37:45

I'd hope to be more Chet Baker than Michael Foot or even Jack Hawkins.

Last edited by A Fine Sadness (2021-12-22 08:38:42)

Spendthrift · 2021-12-22 10:19:29

More of a fan of the peacoat than duffel myself. Goes ok with most other stuff.
If I’m going to be standing round I’ll wear a thin down jacket underneath.

Tworussellstreet · 2021-12-23 18:46:45

I love the duffle coat, but it has to be a proper, large, heavy, plausibly nautical version with hood and wooden toggles and massive open patch pockets. J.Simons sold navy Gloveralls in the 80s and they were fantastic coats. My friend Mr.Isaacs wore his with short khakis, argyles and Weejuns, a college scarf over the shoulder - real Ivy style!

A Fine Sadness · 2021-12-24 01:22:31

Today, I think, the tan Gloverall once more, possibly with the Black Watch flannel, Silvermans' chinos, probably dark khaki Astorflex - and, yes, a college scarf. I have four or five to choose from. Mr.Isaacs knew a thing or three.

Runninggeez · 2021-12-24 11:38:30

Gloverall duffles were being knocked out at TK's for £49.99 recently.

A Fine Sadness · 2021-12-24 12:15:26

TK=Instantly Off-Putting. To some degree. But mine has become an old friend.

RobbieB · 2021-12-24 12:28:22

If I saw a Gloverall duffle for £50 in TK I would probably buy it. Not sure when I would wear it though. I have a wardrobe full of 'bargains' hardly worn.

Runninggeez · 2021-12-25 04:05:58

If I saw a Gloverall duffle for £50 in TK I would probably buy it. Not sure when I would wear it though. I have a wardrobe full of 'bargains' hardly worn.

I went into two different TK's this week but there were none unfortunately Robbie, otherwise I would've definitely bought one at that price. I did almost pick up a non pony black cable knit cashmere RL for £60, but decided against it.

Spendthrift · 2021-12-25 04:36:14

Only Gloverall I spotted near me was a lightweight jacket in a strange camouflage style.
If I’d cone across a duffel for £50 I would’ve snapped it up

woofboxer · 2021-12-25 06:45:18

Appearance in TK Maax is never a good sign for a brand.

#1 2021-09-27 02:17:40

Take It Or Leave It: The Duffle Coat

#2 2021-09-27 02:29:40

Re: Take It Or Leave It: The Duffle Coat

#3 2021-09-27 02:44:28

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