TRENCH COATS

TRENCH COATS
 A trench
coat or trenchcoat is a
variety of coat made of
waterproof heavy-duty
fabric,[1] originally developed
for British Army officers
before the First World War,
and becoming popular while
used in the trenches.
DETAILS
 Originally made from gabardine, a worsted wool fabric
waterproofed using lanolin before weaving,[2] the
traditional colour of a trench coat was khaki.
 Traditionally trench coats are double-breasted with 10
front buttons, wide lapels, a storm flap, and pockets that
button-close.[1] The coat is belted at the waist with a self-
belt, with raglan sleeves ending in cuff straps around the
wrists that also buckle, to keep water from running
down the forearm when using binoculars in the rain. The
coat often has epaulets that button-close, which were
functional in a military context.
HISTORY
 The trench coat was developed as an alternative to
the heavy serge greatcoats worn by British and
French soldiers in the First World War. Invention of
the trench coat is claimed by two British luxury
clothing manufacturers, Burberry and Aquascutum,
with Aquascutum's claim dating back to the 1850s.
Thomas Burberry had invented gabardine fabric in
1879 and submitted a design for a British Army
officer's raincoat to the War Office in 1901.