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.
