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Men in duffle coats!
Gentlemen, the truth is that whereas Leather jackets may have seemed cool a decade ago, and the puffer jacket I can confirm was never cool nor fashionable, the duffle coat has survived two world wars yet still remains as much of a fashion staple as it ever did!
All you have to do is look around you to see that, whatever your age, style and general look, the duffle coat still has it and is by far the coolest wardrobe essential that there is! Worn by such illustrious celebrities as Sir Bob Geldof, Clint Eastwood, Christopher Dean and of course Liam & Noel Gallagher, it cannot be denied as one cool piece of clothing.
But why do men gravitate towards duffle coats? You ask. Well perhaps it’s because of their timeless appeal. No matter what your age or style, the duffle coat will always go, it’s a quintessential English classic where literally anything goes (with it).
In ascending order, firstly there is nothing sexier than ‘preppy’ dress attire on a man, the lead singer of Franz Ferdinand says it all, I mean he is not the sexiest of men, but skinny jeans, converse and a duffle coat make up for it!
If you’re slightly older, however, then who cares, the duffle coat will still work for you. Team it with less skinnier jeans, a good old knit jumper and some smart shoes…job done!
So men, the advice is: team a classic duffle coat with your favorite jeans a pair of converse trainers and a white t-shirt and you will be nothing short of irresistible to the female species.
Well actually I can’t promise this, but it will increase your chances at least, women always like a stylish man and nothing is more stylish than the classic, age old duffle coat!
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What I Love About Winter!
It’s true, I love the month that is winter, yes fair doo’s I dislike the heating bill, the snow and rain and the dark nights. But on the other hand I do still love winter. But why? You may ask.
Well, it’s got to be said, there is nothing that excites me more than going shopping for that oh so warm winter wardrobe. All of those knit and cashmere jumpers along with choosing the perfect winter coat along with purchasing those new winter boots, makes my heart rate increase to a dangerous level, and the accessorize, well …..
The ultimate wardrobe staple to take you through to spring is of course the coat. With so many styles, colours and shapes, making the right choice is nothing short of stressful. Whether you’re a trench admirer, a puffer jacket perfector, or a devotee of the duffle coat, anything goes. But where anything goes one season might not go the next, so I would suggest that you choose something that will forever be classic and stylish, i.e. the duffle coat.
Then there are those beautiful seasonal knits. Ohh how I love wearing those thick knitted cardigans and jumpers, my advice here is that the bigger the better, chunky knits are always in fashion so make sure you embrace them!
When it comes to accessorize, long chain necklaces, chunky scarves and knit hats are the secret……a lovely pair of leather gloves are also a must have!
Now for the finale, a good pair of beautiful new boots will leave you feeling ready to brace the winter weather as well as putting you in good stead to tread that dreaded snow. Go for a flat, comfortable pair that is easy to wear with everything from skinny jeans to tights to tea dresses.
So there it is, my winter wardrobe rules, enjoy!
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How to rock the duffle coat!
Now, we have already established that the duffle coat is a winter wardrobe must have, but what duffle coat is for me? You may ask. Well don’t fear, here I will explain to you how to choose and make the most out of your duffle coat this winter.
Firstly, this season is the ‘season of Camel’, and nothing is more fashionable at the moment that a camel coat, it is this season’s must have item as it is a classic that looks elegant and expensive as well as looking cool and collected. The rich yet simple colour works well combined with black and white as well as a super sexy pair of skinny Jeans. Or why not team it with some snugly UGG boots and leggings, ultra comfort meets ultra style. Whatever you chose to mix your camel with this season, you will look truly classy in a camel Duffle.
If Camel is not for you, then why not go safe yet classic with a navy blue duffle coat. This timeless classic will go with almost everything in your wardrobe, and will be with you for a lifetime, as my motto goes ‘if in doubt, go navy’, black is out navy is definitely in!
If you’re a bit more of a daredevil when it comes to colour, however, then why not go all out there with a Fabulous purple or red duffle coat, or even go for something slightly edgy with our waxed duffle coats. They will provide a stylish yet waterproof look as well as adding that extra uniqueness and edge to your look…..genius!
So, whatever style or colour of duffle coat your chose, in the end at least you will be left safe in the knowledge that you are nothing short of a fashionista in your classically iconic Duffle coat!
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The Winter Wardrobe Must Have!
The classic duffle coat with its warm wool exterior and cool toggled fastenings is surely a winter wardrobe must have for men, women and children alike!
And it’s not just us mere mortals that think so, as the cold winter months are drawing in on us, those oh so warm winter essentials are coming out of the closet. First to bring our old classic gem, the duffle coat, out of the winter wardrobe this year is our very own English rose Kate Winslet. Kate was spotted in a beautiful short camel coloured duffle coat, which she demurely teamed with black skinny jeans, a teal pair of flat pumps and a classy Mulberry Alexa bag, the perfect combination for the perfect English rose.
Second to rock the duffle coat this season was our very own X Factor songstress and queen of the jungle Stacey Solomon. Stacey’s outfit was more ‘girl next door’ with her teaming a grey mid-length duffle coat with leggings and Pink Wellington Boots, this created a casual yet stylish look to go with her fresh youth.
One final fashionista worth a mention in our duffle coat hall of fame is party girl Jamie Winstone. Jamie’s duffle coat understanding provided an ohh so stylish look. Jamie teamed her grey duffle coat with a pair of skinny jeans, an oversized tote bag, biker boots and a nautical T-shirt, this super stylish look was of course finished off with an uber sized pair of sunglasses. Now those are the ingredients for one hot look this winter!
So, the evidence is in, the duffle coat is a winter wardrobe must have not only for us mere mortals but for celebrities too. And surely anything they can do we can do better (wishful thinking). So it’s best not to delay, go on treat yourself to one this season!
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The True Duffle Coat Devotee: Paddington Bear!
In the early 1950s a certain iconic bear turned up at Paddington station after he was orphaned following an earthquake in his native Darkest Peru. He was taken in and brought up by his aunt Lucy, sound familiar? Of course it does, that little iconic bear is none other than Paddington Bear!
When the words ‘duffle coat‘ are mentioned, to many this takes them back to the days of Paddington Bear, even those (like myself) who do not remember watching the iconic bear, know that he is definitely the duffle coats number one devotee, donning the garment day after day for decades.
Paddington’s little blue duffle coat, black hat and Wellington boots, for many was an iconic look, one which, in turn, would make the classic duffle coat somewhat of a household name. Of course Paddington bear set the standard for the duffle coats (along with marmalade sandwiches), which he loved so much that he never took it off!
Paddington Bear is a fictional character in children’s literature. He first appeared on 13 October 1958 and was subsequently featured in several books, most recently in 2008, written by the world famous Michael Bond and first illustrated by Peggy Fortnum. It is noted through history, that you will not find an illustration or image of Paddington Bear, where he is not wearing his beloved duffle coat; this is pure devotion if ever I have seen it!
So there you have it, from the British Royal Navy, to Paddington Bear, this iconic item of clothing has donned only the best, and it still, to this day, continues that quest. So why not bag yourself a duffle coat, it’s still fashionable 60 years after Paddington himself which surely means that it will always be fashionable.
Men, women, children, if there is one staple good to be had, it is definitely the duffle coat!