A duffel coat is an item of winter wear made popular during the 1950s and 1960s. It was perfect for the military, as it provided them the required warmth and the camel colour of the duffel coat was ideal for their working conditions.
The duffel coat is made from the heavy woollen fabric, duffel. The fabric is named after the town Duffel in Antwerp, Belgium, which is where the fabric originated. The fabric was coarse, thick, hard wearing and the colour was practical. Typically a duffel coat was lined with tartan and fastened by four toggles often made of wood with fastenings of rope or leather. A strap under the chin secured the oversized hood that was designed to be worn over a hat. Traditionally, duffel coats were three quarter-length. The four sets of toggles (or walrus teeth as they are called) were designed to be easily fastened whilst wearing winter gloves. The coats also had two fairly large front pockets, each with a flap to prevent the contents from falling out or snow or rain getting in.
Duffel coats were worn in Britain since the 1890s and a coat very similar to a duffel coat was issued in the army during both World War I and II. Post war, the surplus stock of duffel coats sold to the general public at reasonable prices made these coats immensely popular. The British company Gloverall took up the production of duffel coats post World War II, and still continues to produce them.
Today, the duffel coat is also getting a makeover in the fashion world. It has shed its sombre look of dark brown and beige and is now available in purples, fuchsia and bright red.
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