A true original, often imitated but never bettered, Gloverall’s
Monty duffle coat was inspired – as is so often the case – by a
military man.
WWII Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery must have made quite
the impression. Aside from being a decorated war-hero, and the
namesake of a rather popular, gin-heavy, cocktail that Ernest
Hemingway himself enjoyed at Harry’s Bar in Venice; ‘Monty’ as he
was affectionately known, was also the inspiration of Gloverall’s
now iconic duffle coat.
There are a few things Montgomery shares in common with
Gloverall’s outerwear - which you can shop now on The Rake.
Gloverall’s coats are made entirely in England. Both man and coat
are dashing yet tough (with fabrics from Abraham Moon and Fox
Brothers, you can be sure of the jacket’s durability), and
underpinning everything is a nostalgia for British maritime wear –
something which today is experiencing a resurgence.
Resurgence or no, Gloverall pieces have always been timeless.
Begun after WWII by Messrs Harold and Freda, whose store Gloves
and Overall began selling Duffle Coats as surplus, Gloverall
was established after both men decided to produce their own Duffle
coats. Their sweeping, oversized silhouettes and wooden toggles
were favoured for smart-casual mid-century style. Stirling Moss
would wear his at the Monaco Grand Prix, and celebrities or artists
wore them countless times on-screen: David Niven and Gregory Peck,
but also Bardot, Bing Crosby, and David Bowie: three different
types of cultural icons, but cultural icons no less (behind the
screen, Stanley Kubrick was also fan of his Gloverall). This
inspired a legacy of great people in Gloverall that continues
today.
It was in the 1970s that the coat-maker expanded its range into
bomber jackets, classic overcoats, and more; and in the 1980s, they
made much of the outerwear for the British Olympic and Winter
Olympic teams. Today, Gloverall has earned itself a reputation as a
quintessentially British brand. The home of the duffle coat, and
other exceptionally well-made and stylish pieces of outerwear.
