New "Vintage" Aquascutum Trench Coat Pictures Posted

[cksnipe]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a trench coat, and found this one online (the new Winston Vintage model in wool from this winter) Has anyone had experience in person with the new "Vintage" line?

 

[andyw]

Nice!

 

[yfyf]

The "Vintage" line is seasonal and in terms of fabric, somewhat upgraded from the standard line. I found that line's trenches run a little slimmer than the standard classic Kingsgate. If they offered it in my size in a colour and fabric I liked then I would pull the trigger. The Kingsgate is one of my favourite trenches ever.

 

[pejsek]

This looks very nice. I know some around here would prefer to wallow in the comfort of seeing Aquascutum as simply a hapless and eternal runner-up to Burberry, but they really excelled with outerwear. Recently I've found two actual vintage Aquascutum trench coats made from the rain-repellent cotton Aqua5 cloth. The styling and construction are truly top notch. The cape back and epaulets can be hard to pull off, but Aquascutum did--and, it seems, does-- this perfectly.
Waterproof wool would probably be a bit stifling here in California. If it works for where you are, though, I wouldn't have any reservations about this coat.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by pejsek

This looks very nice. I know some around here would prefer to wallow in the comfort of seeing Aquascutum as simply a hapless and eternal runner-up to Burberry, but they really excelled with outerwear. Recently I've found two actual vintage Aquascutum trench coats made from the rain-repellent cotton Aqua5 cloth. The styling and construction are truly top notch. The cape back and epaulets can be hard to pull off, but Aquascutum did--and, it seems, does-- this perfectly.
Waterproof wool would probably be a bit stifling here in California. If it works for where you are, though, I wouldn't have any reservations about this coat.

I have one of these (bought new). The rain repellency is nothing special. The model is designated *drumroll* the Bogart.
If you ever want to get rid of the belts and epaulets, let me know - the leather on mine is pretty shot.

 

[TheFoo]

It seems like everyones got complaints against both Aquascutum and Burberry. So, who makes a good trench these days?

 

[yfyf]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It seems like everyones got complaints against both Aquascutum and Burberry. So, who makes a good trench these days?

Coincidentally ... Rubinacci. It's huge.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by yfyf

Coincidentally ... Rubinacci. It's huge.

Kidding? Honestly, if you're not, I probably wouldn't want to pay the price.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

It seems like everyones got complaints against both Aquascutum and Burberry. So, who makes a good trench these days?
What's wrong with Aquascutum? The "vintage" model posted above looks great and if there is a similar model in cotton, why not look at that? Are you sure you want a trench? Seems a bit busy for you. I have an Asprey single-and-a-half breasted model that I bet you would like. I posted about it long ago and someone may have given me the correct name, but I forgot. It is cut like a DB, in the sense that there is an overlap and internal buttoning, but the external buttoning is mostly concealed fly front. Then there is a shoulder flap/capelet that covers the buttoning so that water can't flow in. Also, a capelet in the back. The collar/lapels either seal up like a storm collar or open like a DB collar with double fold back revers. But closed, the whole thing is very clean.

 

[yfyf]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Kidding? Honestly, if you're not, I probably wouldn't want to pay the price.

No I'm 100% serious, they sell a Rubinacci trench in the London store. I tried it on. It was enormous, very classic but I prefer the Kingsgate. I think the price was about GBP 1,500 but my memory is pretty faulty. I'd imagine it's just a rebadged dealie.

 

[pejsek]

Originally Posted by dopey

I have one of these (bought new). The rain repellency is nothing special. The model is designated *drumroll* the Bogart.
If you ever want to get rid of the belts and epaulets, let me know - the leather on mine is pretty shot.

The Bogart part is pretty cringe-worthy.
I haven't really had much of a chance to try my coats out in the rain, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for later in the week.
I was talking mostly about the styling. I like the way the epaulets fold under the collar and don't seem so military prissy. The leather on one of the recent coats I found is pretty shot too. I think it looks better that way, though. Maybe it's just the Bogart in me.
The trench coat is kind of tricky. I've been wearing various beat-up Barbours for most of the past twenty years (except, of course, for the linen comme des garcons phase back in the early nineties). While the trench coat is inherently more formal than those, all the great trench coat wearers seem to have worn theirs fairly casually. Of course, if you set out to do it that way you're doomed. I'm convinced it's a minefield.
The only other trench coat I have is an oddity from Chester Barrie in tobacco cashmere with a simple tie belt. I haven't yet figured out how to possibly wear that.

 

[dopey]

Originally Posted by pejsek

The Bogart part is pretty cringe-worthy.
I haven't really had much of a chance to try my coats out in the rain, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for later in the week.. .
As far as I can tell Aqua5 is just a fancy name for cotton with the equivalent of ScotchGuard - that is why they tell you to be careful cleaning it. There isn't anything special about the nature of the cotton, like a ventile, that is woven to be near watertight. But it is a nice solid cotton twill. Since yours is old, you might as well ScotchGuard it if you want to wear it in the rain.

Originally Posted by pejsek

The only other trench coat I have is an oddity from Chester Barrie in tobacco cashmere with a simple tie belt. I haven't yet figured out how to possibly wear that.
That sounds fantastic. I don't understand what needs figuring out (unless you mean the California weather).

 

[RJman]

The model was called the Bogart b/c it allegedly was the trench he wore in Casablanca.

I'm on the lookout for a light and light-colored Aquascrotum like Holdfast's in a 38.

 

[pejsek]

I guess part of the reason the Chester Barrie seems a little neither fish nor fowl is because the suppleness and high-lux-quotient of the cashmere fight against all of the trench's down and dirty military associations. Similarly the tie belt would be more at home on something like a polo coat. And where to put the grenades? But maybe I'm being too harsh. When I bought it I thought it would get a lot of wear. I've only put it on a couple of times though. When I get my camera going again I'll put up some pictures and see what y'all think.

BTW, the coat was made for Carroll & Co and the cashmere is certifiably California weight. It's called the Consul Topcoat--a far cry from the Bogart, don't you think? When do I get my Robert Montgomery coat?

 

[Holdfast]

PSA for anyone after a Vintage Aquascutum

The Aquascutum in Bicester Village has some Vintage trenchcoats in stock. Their price is £495, down from about £1k+. Not a massive bargain.

BUT!

They also have 2 sample Aquascutum Vintage trenches, at just £195 each!

That's about 80%+ off retail, probably even more for one of them: one is a 40R navy cotton, the other a 38R heavy padded tan wool. Both samples are perfect as far as I could see on a superficial glance and have a S stamped onto the internal fabric tag to indicate they're sample.

(Sorry RJman, nothing in light in a 38R or I would have PM'ed you)