Talk:Trench coat
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[edit] I added another picture
I added a picture of a more modern version of a trench coat. The kind without the numerable pockets and belt straps. Please leave the picture up, as this style of trench coat is continuing to be used and is gaining popularity, probably even surpassing the old style, which was more of a rain-coat. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Lani12 (talk • contribs).
- I turned to this discussion page to suggest that the picture of the man in the leather coat in front of the rusty metal be removed, as it is not a trenchcoat, but just a coat. It does not have any epaulettes, it is not double-breasted, and it doesnt have any of the 'flaps' at the shoulders or upper back. It's not a trenchcoat, so why have its photo here?81.104.12.24 16:08, 10 September 2006 (UTC)
If I'm not mistaken, I'm sure I've seen that Picture before on a site that sold replicas of costumes in movies......Churba 18:55, 16 November 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Who got them?
Evan Morris claims on his Word Detective website that trench coats originally were only issued to British officers in World War I. Evan Morris is a quite renowned expert for word origins, but I don't know about his expertise in military things... some more research is needed. Also, the article states that the epaulets originally were used to hold gloves or folding service berets, and then the list of berets is from World War II. But the trench coat appeared in WWI. Furthermore, I think it could be made clearer that the name comes from the trenches (as in "trench warfare"). And finally, (to Hephaestos): I hope I haven't lost any of your edits in the edit conflict. If I did: sorry. --Lupo 21:30, 19 Jan 2004 (UTC)
- Two more sources claiming that the trench coat originally was an officer's item only: [1] and Burberry. --Lupo 10:22, 22 Jan 2004 (UTC)
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- As a veteran of World War II I can clarify a small point re trench coats "issued to officers." In World War II officers in what then were known as the Commonwealth Forces (Britain, Canada, Australia et al) were not "issued" trench coats. They had to buy their own.
- Non-commissioned officers (warrant officers, sergeants, corporals)and "other ranks" were not officialy allowed to wear trench coats.During training in Canada Canadian soldiers were issued simple, unbelted raincoats for wear on leave which they turned in when they were shipped overseas to theatres of operations. There, in wet conditions they wore rubber groundsheets as raincapes. Officers kept their trench coats wherever they went. ---Hal
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- Why do we say that the epaulettes were added in order to hold hats and gloves? Certainly they can be used for that, but I don't think it's their intended purpose. After all, if you were designing a coat and decided to add a device for holding gloves, you're unlikely to think "I know! I'll add these little straps on the shoulders - they'll be perfect for the job." Surely the epaulettes are intended to hold badges of rank, as on most other military uniform? --Pete
[edit] Epaulets.
Hi. Michael Reiter, here.
Yes, epaulets were used as a means of holding onto gloves, or one's folding service cap/glengarry (bonnet) when they weren't needed yet... I said that in an earlier version of this article, basing my observation on some photographs, and old motion picture footage from those eras.
- Yes, I know that people *did* use them to hold gloves or headgear. My point is that that's not *why* they were added. I maintain that a strap across the shoulder is not the obvious solution if one is deliberately designing a device to hold hats. --Pete
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- Hal again: Servicemen in both world wars carried equipment, ammunition and weapons on their persons in backpacks or ammunition in pouches on the front just above the waist. The packs and pouches were held in place by straps that went over the shoulders. The straps went under the epaulets which, when buttoned down, kept the
straps from sliding off the shoulders. As has been pointed out, berets and other headgear as well as gloves were often tucked under epaulets when soldiers weren't carrying packs and ammunition.
[edit] Columbo
I removed the reference to Lt. Columbo; as the picture of Peter Falk shows, his raincoat is not a trenchcoat: http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10102420/PeterFalkColumbo.asp?ui=E75A995FEFDD470F9DF9CD52819A798D --PKM 6 July 2005 02:25 (UTC)
[edit] Any Visitors to this page - ?
Any other visitors to this page, how about sending Michael, the author of this page clear High Res large photos of Lynda Carter wearing a trench coat as part of her impersonation of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman from the TV series Wonder Woman, ca. 1976-1979? I would be very grateful and pleased.
Thanks, Michael 15:40, 16 July 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Aquascutum?
Both Aquascutum and Burberry are making the claim that they invented the trench coat. What is the real story here? What is the role of Aquascutum in the history of the trench coat?
- According to their website, the man who founded Aquascutum, one John Emary, invented a way to waterproof fabric (by rubberising it, I believe). Hence the name of his company, which is latin for 'water shield'. Apparently a coat was made for British army officers in the Crimean War (which took place in the 1850s), thus it predates Burberry's 1901 trenchcoat. However, there is no mention of what his Aquascutum raincoat looked like, so it may well be that Burberry was the inventor of the trenchcoat in terms of design, although the invention of waterproof long coats can probably be safely attributed to John Emary and Aquascutum (unless of course the Chinese got there first in this case as well). - TheSuperunknown 18:19, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Terminology
One thing that I noted is that the terms "SS" and "Gestapo" are used interchangeably. I believe they are different.
[edit] Burberry Did It!
That's Right, Burberry Made The First Trenchcoat, that was worn by British Officers in the Great War(World War One). The Material used was the gabardine that Burberry invented. Michael 15:21, 16 July 2006 (UTC)
- Burberry still make and sell trenchcoats. I've got one I bought years ago. To me, Burberry raincoats are the epitome of trenchcoats, and all other trenchcoats are copies of the Burberry trenchcoat. They are expensive, but they are just about the only raincoat you can by in short, medium, and tall. There should be mention of Burberry and their trenchcoats in the main article, unless its there already. 81.104.12.24 16:14, 10 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Do we need the list?
It seems to me that approximately 75% of all "cool" characters, fictitious or not, end up wearing trench-coats at some point. Isn't the list less about coats and more about fannish list-making at this point? I mean, if I add that Optimus Prime wears a plutonium trench-coat in the limited Transformers: Atomic Casablanca comic book series, is that really telling us anything interesting?
Perhaps the list could be condensed into a short list of categories of fictional characters (detectives, super-heroes, aliens, vampires) who are often shown in trench-coats if we can find a source supporting the idea. As it is, the list is almost Original Research. —Eric S. Smith 16:42, 5 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Text about "long jackets" should be removed
I think the following text should be removed. It seems to be original research to me, inventing names for things. I have a single-breated overcoat that fits the description below, but I would never call it a trenchcoat.
"Some more recent trench coats, more commonly called "long jackets", have no belts, no rings, and no epaulettes, with maybe two pockets on either side. This type more closely resembles a typical jacket; the main difference being length. (Where a normal jacket goes down to waist-level, this particular trenchcoat is usually ankle length.)"
(The fact that it goes down to ankle length suggests its just badly fitting. A made to measure overcoat would never be that long]], but a little below the knee).
I have never heard of a coat being called a long jacket either - I think someone has just invented this phrase. In the context of formal clothing, a jacket is a garment like the top half of a suit, blazer, or a dinner jacket, it is not outerwear. The name for a "long jacket" is a coat. It's like referring to a goat as a "horned sheep". 81.104.12.24 16:24, 10 September 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Possible confussion with "greatcoats"
A few of the descriptions about the early military evolution of the "trench coat" seems to be slightly confused with descriptions of military greatcoats. Trench coats are light raincoats, whereas greatcoats are large, heavy coats used to protect the wearer from the cold and snow. There is a significant difference, especially since the greatcoat is a much older article and still continues in military service. OzoneO 09:04, 4 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Terminator I
No mention of John Connor's father "Kyle Reese" from the first Terminator movie? Classic pop-culture trenchcoat use. The guy while pursued by a dozen cops in the department store slyly steals a trenchcoat off the rack - disguising the fact he doesn't even have a shirt (and his cop shotgun).
P.S. That photo of the guy in front of the rusted metal is rubbish. If there is going to be a photo it should at least be of a classic trenchcoat. Ethikos 02:53, 26 October 2006 (UTC)
