What Size Trench Do I Need?

[Sean Archer]

What are the little metal loops at the back for? And the underside of the collar on the left has a piece of fabric with 3 buttons, what is that for?

 

[Albern]

Originally Posted by Sean Archer

Aqua. It's in perfect condition. Just the leather buckles look like they've been rubbed a bit at the edges and there is no lining.

Cool steal. Enjoy it!!

Originally Posted by Sean Archer

What are the little metal loops at the back for? And the underside of the collar on the left has a piece of fabric with 3 buttons, what is that for?


I believe the metal loops on the belt were carried over from the original trench coat during WWI. It was there so that soldiers could attach equipment onto them.

On my Burberrys trench, the underside of the collar has only 2 buttons and a belt buckle. That's basically at throat latch to cover your entire neck when you have the collar up.

 

[Sean Archer]

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUASCUTUM-Mens-...item3ca8065654 See my trench's collar is like this one. Metal hooks at the neck and that strange flap of fabric under the left side of the collar. That thing isn't long enought to wrap around the opening at the front of the neck.

 

[Albern]

Originally Posted by Sean Archer

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUASCUTUM-Mens-...item3ca8065654

See my trench's collar is like this one. Metal hooks at the neck and that strange flap of fabric under the left side of the collar. That thing isn't long enought to wrap around the opening at the front of the neck.

I can see a button on the right side of the collar when flipped up. Also, it looks like there is an additional length of fabric behind what is visible in the ebay pic. Are you sure you can't detach the entire piece and have it cover the small opening when the metal hooks are joined? (sorry if this sounds like a stupid question)

 

[Sean Archer]

Originally Posted by Albern

I can see a button on the right side of the collar when flipped up. Also, it looks like there is an additional length of fabric behind what is visible in the ebay pic. Are you sure you can't detach the entire piece and have it cover the small opening when the metal hooks are joined? (sorry if this sounds like a stupid question)
It works! Apparently my ability to judge how a trench works is quite poor. This is my first one

It's amazing how perfectly it fits when it's all buttoned up.

 

[Albern]

Originally Posted by Sean Archer

It works! Apparently my ability to judge how a trench works is quite poor. This is my first one

It's amazing how perfectly it fits when it's all buttoned up.

Ah, finally some progress.

It's a nice looking trench too.

 

[Sean Archer]

Progress indeed.

Next, I suppose I shall have to have it cleaned somehow. I don't really understand why these need to be dry cleaned, do you? It seems to be made of cotton and polyester. I have no clue what the checked inside lining is made of, but it feels like cotton.

 

[Albern]

I might be wrong but I've heard it could be because of the waterproofing abilities that were applied when the fabric was being woven (no longer just relying on pure cotton gabardine). Also, much like cotton trousers that need to be dry cleaned, it might also have something to do with the lining getting all out of proportion (shrinking) if an item gets thrown in the wash.

It wouldn't risk not sending it to the cleaners.

 

[Sean Archer]

Ya. Only $25 so far, so another $20 won't even be a dent. I don't really get why these sell for say, $400-$1000 dollars though.

 

[Albern]

I know what you mean. In fact they actually go for much higher than that brand new. It might have to do with the high fashion label pricing (Burberry moreso than Aqua in my opinion). I had to pay towards to upper price point in that range just to get a traditional NOS Burberry.

As far as trenches go both of these companies are regarded as having the best quality. On mine the button holes are done by hand as my tailor had pointed out, so it wasn't a bad buy for me.

 

[Sean Archer]

Does that mean horn buttons? These buttons look like plastic. They are all identical , if dull.

 

[Albern]

On mine I believe they are horn, highly polished so I'm not 100% sure. Even if they are horn I don't think that factor plays into the high cost of these trenches.

 

[Sean Archer]

Ah well. I still have things to look forward to then. Horn buttons and MOP buttons will still be exciting when I see them.

 

[Sean Archer]

Well I was too lazy to take it to the dry cleaners so I hand washed in cold water and a little liquid detergent. Then I rinsed twice and spun dry 4 or 5 times, soaking it each time (effectively rinsing again and again).

Sadly the coat is ruined from the water.

jk

The coat is fine. A raincoat that can't take water? Cmon...