Does anyone know what this particular detailing on a trench coat does?

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum - came across it while trying to find an answer to this particular question, actually. I'm hoping you guys could help me out: I recently bought a trench coat from Banana Republic - their "khaki trench". It's a very nice trench, with a lot of classic trench coat detailing (gun flap, etc), but I don't recognize what this is: Attachment 51834 I don't know what it is, what it does, or how to use it It came attached like that, although there was a thin thread that connects the left-most tip of the thing to the collar itself - I assumed it's meant to be cut, so while I was playing around with it I took out the thread. Couldn't find anything through Google, so I emailed BR's customer service - they told me to take it in and show it to their "style specialist," which I certainly don't have time for; help please!

I might be moronically off base here, but I thought it was for holding the front of the jacket together in heavy rain/high wind situations.

From the photo, it just looks like you can unbutton and remove the neck strap.

Unbutton, turn it around, re-button, and you have the throat latch set up for when you need the extra rain protection

It looks like the vintage trench coat feature of being able to stand up the collar and buckle it around the throat. When not in use the buckles fold away and buckle behind the collar so they are out of sight while it is folded down flat.

ah - got it! thanks, everyone!
just out of curiosity...is there a name for this thing?

Originally Posted by monsieur_elegante

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ah - got it! thanks, everyone!
just out of curiosity...is there a name for this thing?

A throat latch

At least it looks like a 'proper' trench coat.

I can't stand the way retailer use 'trench coat' to describe pretty much any rain coat, single or double breasted, short or long, belted or not ...

Originally Posted by gdl203

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A throat latch
i was under the impressing that the throat latch was the little metal latch at the front of the collars? i could be totally wrong, of course

Originally Posted by Ianiceman

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At least it looks like a 'proper' trench coat. I can't stand the way retailer use 'trench coat' to describe pretty much any rain coat, single or double breasted, short or long, belted or not ...
yes! that really bugs me too - which is why i really like this one. i bought j.crew's "sutherland trench" this past spring, and that definitely wasn't a "trench" by any means

OK - I'll bite - what specifically makes a trench a trench? I'm pretty sure I know one when I see one, but I get the sense you guys know something I don't.

I always wanted one of those classic Burberry trenches that you see in old gangster movies, etc., and for the last few years was really disappointed that they were pushing more modern styles. I finally mentioned this to a salesclerk in their SOHO store last fall. She said "Oh, you want one of the long old-fashioned ones? Just a sec." She momentarily reemerged from the backroom with one in exactly my size. Turns out they still make them, you just have to ask.

Originally Posted by photoguy

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OK - I'll bite - what specifically makes a trench a trench? I'm pretty sure I know one when I see one, but I get the sense you guys know something I don't. I always wanted one of those classic Burberry trenches that you see in old gangster movies, etc., and for the last few years was really disappointed that they were pushing more modern styles. I finally mentioned this to a salesclerk in their SOHO store last fall. She said "Oh, you want one of the long old-fashioned ones? Just a sec." She momentarily reemerged from the backroom with one in exactly my size. Turns out they still make them, you just have to ask.
The name holds the clue - its a relic derived from the military uniform coats of WW1. It is a long, double breasted, large collared coat with flaps, cape, epaulettes etc. Therefore the "clean", single breasted water repellent coats with shirt collars are simple raincoats.

Thx - for a sec there I thought I might be missing something.

I aways thought it was to hold the collar up. There's one on my Polo peacoat, but it's held down by two buttons, and since there's no button on the other side of the collar, it can't be used as a throat latch.

Originally Posted by swaggerisaliability

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I aways thought it was to hold the collar up. There's one on my Polo peacoat, but it's held down by two buttons, and since there's no button on the other side of the collar, it can't be used as a throat latch.
it's interesting, because on my trench coat there's no button on the other side to keep it closed, either here's a picture of the exact same trench coat, except here they have it dangling off the left side: http://www.gq.com/images/how-to/2010...a-republic.jpg but on the actual trench coat, there's nothing on the left side to hold it there (except the thread that held it there when you first buy it)! there are only 2 sets of buttons in the back (as shown in my OP) and 2 sets on the right-side collar, a couple inches forward from the buckle - so I still don't quite get how it'll close up the front as a throat latch... (sorry, i'll post another pic if that was confusing)

Yeah the iconic trench coat is by Burberry but they obviously can't risk their entire future on one item of clothing so they branch out into all kinds of other apparel while happy to maintain their image as makers of the classic trench for when it cycles back to being in vogue. A trench might not be the in thing with the trendies right now but it is a timeless classic and a very good coat too so the hype in this case is deserved. (Not sure if the same goes for the price!!)