-
Good old clear out
One of the Duffle coat team members is moving house this week which is rather exciting, new town, new home and a new life. Despite the excitement it seems the process of moving can be rather time-consuming and frustrating, especially if like our colleague, you have numerous wardrobes, thousands of garments and hundreds of pairs of shoes.
It’s always great at this time of year to have a clear out, whether you are moving house or not. You tend to find a lot of items you totally forgot about and haven’t used for months, even years. Our rules for having a clear out is that if you haven’t used or worn it in 6 months to a year get rid of it. Harsh as it sounds, you have to, because otherwise you will end up hoarding tonnes of stuff and eventually never be able to leave your house.
Clothing can be either sent to charity shops, or if you have some decent brand stuff, you can make a pretty penny on auction or fashion sites.If you have sentimental pieces, it is best to keep these, like your first ever cardigan or duffle coat, these are very cute items and remind you of years ago, when you didn’t have such a huge wardrobe.
Shoes and handbags, you have to be ruthless, yes you love them, yes they are so comfortable, but let’s be honest, the heel is falling off and they look tatty. GET RID!
It’s a great excuse to do something good, have a clean out and make some more room in the wardrobe for new clothes and shoes! If you are moving house to a smaller place, you may have to keep a reign on the new clothes purchasing.
Believe us, having a clear out is a great thing, for mind, body and wallet.
Duffle Coat Team
-
Make a statement with your coat
We all like to turn a few heads from time to time, but during winter it’s all-too easy to fade into the background. Covering up with layer upon layer of clothing can easily make us look less than svelte, and what about the winter coat? Most are bulky, drab and so far from the catwalk it’s almost laughable. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. It’s time to make a change so you can make a real statement with your coat, and duffle coats could be the perfect way to do just that.
Duffle coats look just as good on the high street as they do on the catwalk, and they’re the must-have coat of any fashion conscious consumer. They’re thick, warm and perfect for the cold winter months, but there’s more to them than practicality. They look fantastic on any figure and will easily make you stand out from the crowd, and with so many different colours and designs to choose from you’re bound to find one that perfectly suits your sense of style.
You can choose from long or short versions, plain coloured or patterned, hooded or hoodless—whatever you want you’ll be able to find it, and if you really want to make a statement why not choose a high-impact colour? Women’s styles cover everything from demure camels to striking reds, letting you change your coat to suit your mood. With most of our other clothing choices being covered up at this time of year your coat will be your main signifier of style, so it’s important that you’re able to make a statement—it may be cold and damp outside but you can still look good in spite of the weather, and duffel coats will be the perfect way to have that kind of impact.
-
David Hockney is an artist born in 1937 and has been hailed as one of the most stylish men, despite being on the line between scruffy and iconic!
This month Hockney has actually declined a knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen and instead accepted an Order of Merit.
Hockney, not only hailed as a great artist but as a bit of a style icon, has influenced many students who studied arts. He used colour and texture in a way that only an artist could, not only on canvas but with his clothes.
There are many fine pictures of Hockney in a range of clothing, spanning through the ages. With bleached yellow hair and thick rimmed circular glasses, no one could not notice this man of many colours. You can find a range of pictures of Hockney, in a delightful array of clothing, from bright pastel cable knit jumpers to a variety of coats. There is a picture of Hockney is a duffle coat, he was an icon and trail blazed the way for bright colours and mismatching clothes, right from the word go.
His combinations of rugby shirts, braces and plimsoles made him an adorable nerd, despite this, many fashion designers have taken inspiration from Hockney the man and Hockney the artist.
He creates a sense of abstract using clothing, finishing off trench coats with a polka dot necktie. It’s also feminine, but this man is not afraid to grab and mix up a range of different clothing, using layering and colours as his palette.
So, if you are wondering how to compile a new outfit from the coats and accessories in your wardrobe, take inspiration from David Hockney, a style hero and an incredible artist. He wasn’t afraid to put his fashion out in the public eye, and he has created an abstract fashion of his own, which has inspired thousands.
-
Elbow and shoulder patches
No longer is the elbow patch for a country gent, or shoulder patches seen on just your local bin men! The elbow and shoulder patch is back in fashion and its on trend right now!
Originally falling under the category of “sports coats”, garments with elbow and shoulder patches were created to be worn on their own, less formal than a suit and were usually made from thick fabrics such as Tweed, which were long-lasting. Shooting Jackets would feature leather patches on the shoulder to prevent wear and tear from the butt of a shooting rifle.These sport jackets also included elbow patches.
Some believe that the history of elbow patches is deeply seated in British tailoring, but records show that German army forces incorporated the elbow patch onto their uniforms for crawling purposes.
Hit the high street or shop online and you’ll see hundreds of jackets with the elbow patch revival, you’ll also find other clothing such as thick knits, blazers and long-sleeved t-shirts bearing these rather quaint features.
It actually makes sense to cover those areas that wear quickly with added material and patches not only come in leather but in a range of materials and prints. Not that we’re all going to be crawling around on our elbows when wearing these items.
If that coat has rather taken your fancy, grab it and wear it with pride, lean upon a bar or at a fire-place and make good use of those elbow patches.
These type of coats are styled on classic traditional tailoring and will be something that you can store in your wardrobe and whip out at a moments notice. They are warm, thick, sturdy and stylish and can be a formal or casual jacket for winter and summer.
All hail elbow pads, we love em’.
-
Can’t get enough of coats
For some an obsession with shoes is quite a common pastime, which could extend to handbags- of course they need to match, for others their passion lies in collecting items for the home or antiques. There are, however a growing number of people who can not get enough of coats. One of those people is celebrity daughter of Lionel Richie- Nicole Richie.
In a recent news report Nicole quoted “I would always choose accessories because they can really change-up an outfit. You can wear jeans and a t-shirt and throw on a different pair of shoes and it really changes the entire outfit.” “I love to buy jackets. I love to buy coats. I bought a great designer black blazer and I wore it, you know, I wore it every day.”
Actually it is not such a strange obsession, as in most countries the climate dictates what you wear from day-to-day and events and social occasions also dictate they style of clothing you wear. Because of the nature of the garment, there are so many different styles of coat, from traditional and classic to more modern and mainstream, all available in a range of colours and fabrics.
You could be the purveyor of a collection of duffle coats, from the traditional tailoring- right through to a designer piece that may have cost you a months wages, but at the end of the day, if that is your muse, let it be! Obviously the team at Duffle Coats UK love coats, especially those that look fantastic and keep you warm and dry, which is exactly what we need in the UK during the winter months.
Hat’s off to Nicole Richie, we think her coat obsession is a healthy one, after all you can create so many different looks with a range of different accessories.
-
Nehru Jackets
The team at Duffle Coats UK like to look at different styles of jackets and coats and some that have inspired other fashion statements through the years. Today we are taking a look at Nehru Jackets.
Originally produced for men and women, this hip-length tailored jacket began in India in the 1940s. It was originally worn by the royal courtiers and nobles and became a popular garment after being sported by the Indian Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It was created for those Indian officials attending government who did not want to adopt a western style suit, they also required something practical and opted for a shortened jackets as previously, traditional Indian Jackets were knee-length.
The Nehru jacket became incredibly popular during the 1960s and 70s, worn all over the globe by such stars as the Beatles. Many celebrities and stars have chosen the Nehru Jacket as a formal piece and something unusual.
This hip length tailored jacket simply buttons all the way through to the neck, where this jacket has a shortened collar. It has an oriental flare and is made from a range of materials.
It is perfect for formal occasions and is still a popular form of smart wear in India today.
There are so many style of coats and jackets across the globe, some steeped in tradition and folk law, some work only for special occasions and many that are worn everyday by thousands.
We love to track the history and construction of coats and jackets and when something new hits the high street or catwalk, we can see where it has been inspired by previous styles and historical tailoring.
The Nehru Jacket is a great choice if you want to wear something formal without having to choose a suit jacket. It provides beautiful tailoring and a unique look.
-
Choosing colour correctly
We must admit, some of the Duffle Coats UK team have work items into the office which are real shockers, or drain the colour from the person wearing them. With a season full of rich bright colours and a catalogue of an amazing array of different coats, we thought it would be great to find out which colours suit different types of skin tone.
Firstly we have to determine the colour of your skin tone. Unlike what we may have thought when we were younger, we are not all pink. Skin has hues of yellow, peach, orange, pink, olive and brown and matching colours can be a task but we can make it simple. Firstly you can divide your skin colouring into seasons, spring, summer autumn and winter.
Spring offer a creamy complexion, maybe with freckles and strawberry blonde hair with green or blue eyes.
Summer covers blonde or brunettes with pale eyes and skin
Autumn skin tones include red heads and brunettes with brown eyes and golden skin
Winter covers those with Brunette air and pale yellowish skin, with deep coloured eyes, Asian and Oriental skin usually falls into this category.
Now lets look at the clothing
Spring skin should choose clothing which offers warm colours such as peaches, camels, yellows and golds, Spring should avoid dark dull colours
Summer can show off in neutrals and pastels with pink and blue undertones
Autumns again should strut their stuff in golden colours and avoid any colours with blue undertones such as Navy.
Finally Winters can wear sharp block colours such as red, navy, white and black, for lighter versions choose icy colours rather than pastels!
Dufflecoatsuk.co.uk has a range of coloured Duffle coats that will suit every skin colouring. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter skin tones will be flattered with our incredible coats.
-
When the wind gets up
Lets be honest, the weather has been terrible. Causing chaos across the United Kingdom. Some parts of Scotland and the north have been without power for days, tree’s have come down, roof’s have blown off and chimneys have collapsed. It’s enough to make you want to stay in doors, but if you do have to venture out whether to walk the dog, pick up the kids or nip to the shops, are you wearing the right attire?
Some winter coats are thick and warm but do not offer any protection against harsh winds and rain.
Duffle Coats are a great pick when you need something to protect you against the elements. Worn for decades, these fantastic coats are made from a specially woven wool fabric which is thick, warm protects against shower and also strong winds. The other great thing about Duffle Coats is their fit, you won’t feel like a restricted marshmallow, these coats allow movement and freedom which is perfect when going on a long walk or carrying shopping or children.
Duffle Coats are very versatile, when made for the service men, they would not only wear them but use them as cushions to sit on and blankets to cover them. It’s an all round winner.
So rather than braving the outside in something thin and returning soaked to the bone and cold, consider a Duffle Coat for the winter, especially in this weather.
Returning to the weather, the UK is set for another windy period, with winds reaching up to an incredible 100mph. So batten down the hatches, get some candles in and that gas camping stove up from the shed, because its going to be a rough ride. If the heating goes, make sure everyone has a Duffle Coat, you’ll be glad you invested.
-
Matching Duffles
In years gone by it may seem like a slight cliché for you and your other half to step out in matching coats. Walkers seem to thrive on this fashion faux pas, yet in the news recently, celebrities have been pulling on their matching coats and stepping out on the streets, completely shame free.
Maybe its time to re think our wardrobes and take a fashion tip from Kym Marsh and her partner Jamie Lomas. The couple was spotted wearing identical Duffle coats on their way to Old Trafford for the Manchester vs Blackburn Rovers game.
Kym Marsh famous for her singing turn acting career as a main part in Corrie and her partner Jamie Lomas- Warren Fox in Hollyoaks, both work black Duffle coats with leather shoulder pads and looked quite the couple.
You may not want to have exactly the same colour coats but a family of Duffle coats is completely cute, fashionable and practical. They are fantastic winter coats. The thick fabric protects against the wind and rain and the fit of the coat allows you to still move around freely without feeling restricted.
When it comes to very bad matching coats and styles to avoid we’ve found a few, including colour co-ordination and badly fitted jackets and these are from celebrities such as Sir Paul McCartney and Tom Cruise.
Whether you like the thought of a matching coat or not, we think Duffle Coats are ace and a great investment that will last the test of time and become a favourite coat for the whole family. If you have some money burning a hole in your pocket, treat yourself to a new coat this January, you’ll be pleased you did, you never know, you may start a matching revolution.