Mens Duffle Coats & Jackets

It’s been a few years since Duffle coats, or Duffel coats, came back in fashion again. The coats always seemed to be worn casually in general. Now I see many guys wear a Duffle coat on top of a suit – mostly young guys.

Can we middle-aged men wear it? Of course we can. Some associate a Duffle coat with Paddington Bear and often see it as children’s clothing. My friend’s father Fred, who was a war veteran used to tell me he wouldn’t wear it because it looked “too military” to him. Different generations, different perceptions!

History of Duffle Coats

Duffel is a town in the province of Antwerp in Belgium, where the thick wool material was originated. As early as the mid-19th Century, the Duffel wool coat with the hood and toggle fastenings would protect the navy men in Europe from harsh cold sea weather. By 1890 it was officially supplied to the British Royal Navy, referred to as the “convoy coat”.

Widely issued by British navy during World War I and again during WWII, The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein famously wore it to identify himself with his troops and made the coat also known as “Monty coat”.

Wooden toggles instead of buttons were invented to make it easier to fasten with gloves, and the button fastening across the neck to stop the freezing sea wind from getting in.

Ministry of Defence appointed M & F Morris Industrial Clothing Co. to dispose of surplus supplies of the coats in 1951. Gloverall company (“gloves” and “overalls”) was established to sell the coats at reasonable prices, therefore very popular especially among students.

In 1954, Gloverall started producing their own version of the Duffel / Duffle coat using leather fastenings and buffalo horn toggles, with a double-faced check back fabric.

The coat became the choice for a new generation of male, actors and musicians soon followed suit. In The Third Man (1949 movie), Duffle coat was worn by a main character, British Major Calloway (Trevor Howard). David Bowie‘s character Thomas Jerome Newton wore it in “The Man Who Fell To Earth” (1976) which was so cool.

Duffle Coats – Love or Hate?

There is an interesting discussion in Duffle Coats UK site, says duffle coats are a bit Marmite (if you don’t know what it means, it explains there). It refers to a Daily Mail article calling Taylor Swift wearing “uncharacteristically frumpy duffel” back in 2013.

I do agree, I like marmite (have you ever tried a marmite casserole?) but wouldn’t eat it every day. If I had to choose one outerwear for the whole winter, it wouldn’t be a duffle coat. I like it just as an alternative because of the distinctive front toggles.

Men’s Duffle Coats & Jackets

Original Montgomery is the oldest surviving company chosen by the British Admiralty in the early 1890s to make the first duffle coats. And they still supply the same coats, available from Amazon.

Mad in England of course, 70% wool / 30% mixed fibres, available in 3 colours.Try wearing a camel coat on top of navy suit with brown shoes & a brown belt.

Leather 3/4 Length Black Hooded Duffle Coat

This 100% leather 3/4 length coat has a fixed hood with drawstrings to adjust. It has a main front zip fastening with a leather flyover and three toggles with leather loops. 2 x angled chest pockets with stud closure, 2 x front pockets with flaps and double stud fastening, also 2 x inner pockets and a zipped pocket for extra security.

From Leatherbox.

Mens Duffle Knit Cardigan Sweater

This is a cardigan, not a coat but it is my favourite. 55% Acryl, 45% Wool with wooden toggles. With inner lining for warmth, front pockets as well as inner zipped pockets. By Schott NYC.

Leather Hood Duffle Safari Jacket (Brown)

This 3/4 length leather jacket from Aviatrix is with synthetic fur lining, removable fur hood, zipped with toggle cover. With buttoned pockets and internal pockets.

Duffle Parka Men’s Jacket

And this is a hooded parka from Brandit Woodson, with synthetic fur lining, good for any casual occasion. Price varies. Olive, Black or Camel to choose from.

I personally think the winner is the Original Montgomery’s authentic Duffle coat, but others are definitely great alternatives.