Do men no longer wear classic trench or rain coats?

[powerkicker]

I went to an outside event yesterday with my family and the forecast was for rain. I wore a short knee-length London Fog "trench coat" in khaki over my linen shirt and blue jeans. I finished up with brown AE Bellevues and a Fed IV in brown.

There were thousands of people at this event. I saw folks standing in the rain with their kids with no rain protection at all, as well as people using umbrellas and colorful active-wear type jackets. I saw no other men wearing anything like a classic trench coat. Only myself and two younger women I saw were wearing one.

Has the classic trench coat gone the way of the dinosaur such that grown men would rather just stand around in the rain in cargo shorts and golf shirts, hatless?

 

[12345Michael54321]

Trench coats and rain coats certainly aren't as popular as they were 50 years ago, but no, they're not extinct.

Of course, it's August. Assuming you live somewhere where August is the hottest month of the year - and your mention of people wearing cargo shorts suggests this is the case - that might go a long way toward explaining why not many people yesterday were wearing trench or rain coats. Even on a rainy day, the weather may be on the warm or humid side, and given this most people would rather carry an umbrella - or just get wet - than wear a trench or rain coat.

Go to an outside event on a chilly and rainy day in November, and more people might be wearing coats for protection from the elements.

 

[Veremund]



I went to an outside event yesterday with my family and the forecast was for rain.

What kind of event was it?

 

[powerkicker]

What kind of event was it?

It was an early morning outdoor appreciation event for donors to a local park.

 

[powerkicker]

Trench coats and rain coats certainly aren't as popular as they were 50 years ago, but no, they're not extinct.

Of course, it's August. Assuming you live somewhere where August is the hottest month of the year - and your mention of people wearing cargo shorts suggests this is the case - that might go a long way toward explaining why not many people yesterday were wearing trench or rain coats. Even on a rainy day, the weather may be on the warm or humid side, and given this most people would rather carry an umbrella - or just get wet - than wear a trench or rain coat.

Go to an outside event on a chilly and rainy day in November, and more people might be wearing coats for protection from the elements.

There were several people wearing "columbia"-type outdoor jackets and windbreakers. It was somewhat chilly here yesterday morning. Low 70's.

 

[emptym]

I do, but only when wearing a sport coat or suit. Had a Ventile one made by Luxire recently.

 

[Gauss17]

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Wool-Twill-Traveler-BrooksStorm®-Coat/073L,default,pd.html

I wear this one all the time (albeit in navy). It seems like a good compromise between a more casual/everyday piece and a full length trench coat...if that makes any sense.

 

[clotheshorse69]

Why are you upholding classic dress rules to those in shorts and flip flops. If you are going to note the overcoat out of place, wouldn't you also note the shirt and 'dress' shoes as well?

It could just be that people don't mind their cotton clothes getting wet since that type of clothes is so replaceable/cheap to replace.

 

[Gauss17]



Why are you upholding classic dress rules to those in shorts and flip flops. If you are going to note the overcoat out of place, wouldn't you also note the shirt and 'dress' shoes as well?

It could just be that people don't mind their cotton clothes getting wet since that type of clothes is so replaceable/cheap to replace.

Assuming you are responding to my post: I am merely point out that a classic double-breasted trench coat stands out more than the coat I linked. I think either coat looks out of place with sneakers or flip-flops (I tried a long coat with suede sneakers once, it didn't work).

 

[SirReveller]

Great thread topic question. As a non-owner of a dress raincoat ("TC") ever I couldn't resist a Bugatti in tan when I found one deep discount a month ago.

But really it and all the rest there were "driver's coats" ie knee length. And it then occurred to me my dress winter coat "TC" was really this driver's length too. You can find the full lengths but whether rain or winter TC they are far outnumbered by the shorter ones with smaller belts (or none at all).

I think the simple conclusion is that just as with super fit suits with the hem super high to show the sock which will flip back to Gekko style pleats'n'pads some day so too will this trend towards shorter dress TCs flip back to Bogart style old school full length TCs.

 

[Veremund]



There were several people wearing "columbia"-type outdoor jackets and windbreakers.

That seems entirely appropriate for a park event. I wouldn't wear my trenchcoat in August as I'd overheat way too quickly, as is my habit unfortunately.

 

[Veremund]



I think the simple conclusion is that just as with super fit suits with the hem super high to show the sock which will flip back to Gekko style pleats'n'pads some day so too will this trend towards shorter dress TCs flip back to Bogart style old school full length TCs.

You're probably right about that, but I know I'll never go back to robe length overcoats as I look terrible in them. Anything falling below the knee looks crap on me.

 

[ter1413]

Why would you feel that just because you wore a trench, other men should also? It was a casual event. Summertime. You were wearing jeans. Some men probably had on shorts.
I would not have given a 2nd thought to what others were wearing.

 

[Veremund]

For the record, I can't imagine I'd ever wear jeans with a trenchcoat.

 

[SirReveller]

Agreed. I've never really seen it o/s of dress attire and couldn't imagine a TC+jeans that didn't look odd.