Why is the trench coat a wardrobe staple?
Trench Coats were first worn in the grim trenches of World War One, weren’t they? Nope. Not true. They were created by a man called Charles MacIntosh—a Scottish chemist, and his pal Thomas Hancock—the founder of the British rubber industry, in the early 1800s. The two friends created rubberised cotton and made coats out of them called Macks, after Charlie boy. Bit of a snub to Thomas, but his surname doesn’t work as well in a shortened form, to be fair… The thing with rubberised cotton, though, was that it had a tendency to melt in the sun. Melting clothes are bad clothes.
A company called Aquascutum started manufacturing less melty trench coats in the mid-1800s, and then Burberry got involved and started weatherproofing individual cotton/wool fibres, rather than the whole garment, which made trench coats more breathable, and now we’re a quarter of the way through the 21st century, and Perci are taking the trench out of the trenches and into the light.
Trench coats were used in the military during both World Wars, where innovations such as storm flaps, D-rings, and removable inner linings proved useful, but it was shortly after the Second World War they found popularity in civilian culture. The belt at the waist made them versatile and adaptable for men and women alike, and its long, elegant silhouette appealed to anyone with even a slight penchant for the smart and mysterious.
What is the best length for a trench coat for men?
The truth is there is no ‘best length’ for a men’s trench coat. It’s not a one-length-fits-all situation. Depending on the overall style you’re going for, a shorter trench such as The Sherlock may be a better choice, especially if you’re not the tallest man in the world. If you’re looking to add some length and a sleek silhouette to your outfit, a longer trench such as The Greyson is for you. Check our guide on choosing the perfect trench coat.
When should men wear trench coats?
Because Perci’s trench coats are lightweight, waterproof, comfy, super-durable, and come in multiple colourways, they’ll see you through the whole year—winter, spring, summer, or autumn. Basically, wear a trench coat whenever you flipping well feel like it. You can read up on how to style a trench coat for every season with our handy guide.
