WHY A MAC IS A WARDROBE ICON
The start of the year is the perfect time for a wardrobe review + reset, where we decide what’s missing from our lineup and what clever sartorial investments can be made now, to serve us all year. A strong contender for buy now, wear all year wardrobe-icon status? The Trench Coat.
The Mac Coat: A Brief History
The mac coat holds a firm spot in the British wardrobe as a year-round solution to in-between temperatures, unexpected showers and blustery wind, but the lore of this practical style goes a lot deeper than its transeasonal status. It’s one of the few clothing items that retains almost an identical design today as it did when it was first invented.
While many people link mac coats to wartime and military clothing during the 1900s, ‘macs’ as they were known, can be traced back to as early as 1823. Invented by and named after Charles Macintosh, mac coats were made from heavy rubberised cotton and were used by military men and civilians alike.
Nowadays, macs are more commonly referred to as trench coats, and the style as we know it got its name and familiar construction from its use in the First World War. Developed for British Army officers, trench coats were made of waterproof heavy-duty wool gabardine fabric and traditionally coloured in shades of khaki-green and brown for camouflage.
The double-breasted and longline shape that’s still used for modern day styles originated as a means of delivering the most coverage possible, while still remaining practical. Traditional features all served specific functional purposes, such as belted cuffs to prevent water running down the arm while wearing binoculars.
Following its wartime use, the trench coat began to make its way into men’s and womenswear fashions during the post-war period. Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn popularised the style for women, whereas the style’s army officer origins and smart look made it an enduringly strong choice for men.
The Swing Mac: Intelligent Design
Since the mac coat is an established year-round hero, our styles are intelligently designed to work for every seasonal eventuality. The Shower-Proof Swing Mac is the epitome of invest now, wear all year practicality with room for layers during the colder months, and a clean gabardine construction that also works in milder weather.
STYLING FOR THE SEASONS
WINTER
The clever swing shape and considered fabric choice of our Showerproof Swing Mac cements it as a truly transeasonal style. It’s crafted with a shower-proof cotton gabardine outer that strikes a balance between lightweight and structured, while the swing-cut hem and flared sleeves accommodate layering over even the chunkiest of knits.
Opt for a graphic look by wearing it over clashing yet co-ordinated stripes in this season’s key color combination - navy and cream. Our Chunky High Neck Sweater is made from a warming yet breathable blend of cotton and merino yarn, pairing perfectly with the softly tailored lines of our Textured Man Pant.
AUTUMN
A mac coat is the solution to slowly dropping temperatures, when you need slightly more than a lightweight jacket, but it’s not yet winter coat level cold.
Wear it over co-ord separates for an extra layer of warmth when you need it on colder morning commutes and darkening evenings. Stick to the muted neutral color story with this season’s pastel-green Cotton Twill Workwear Jacket and Engineered Pant. Both pieces are made from washed cotton twill for a softer feel and a relaxed yet put-together look.
Complete the soft neutral palette with textural accessories like the tan Travel Loafer and the latest iteration of the Hips-To-Waist Belt, both made from luxurious Italian suede.
SPRING
When the mornings still have a chill and it’s not quite time to completely shed the top layers for summer, the mac coat really earns its stripes.
Spring also happens to be the time for embracing double denim, and the key to mastering this look is choosing two washes that are close in colour, but not an exact match, like our Oversized Denim Shacket paired with our Patch Pocket Engineered Jean. Tie the two tones together with matching neutral accessories like the tan Travel Loafer and Bowling Bag, both in luxurious Italian suede. Drape the Swing Mac over the shoulders to complete the look.
SUMMER
There’s often days during the Great British Summertime when the temperature takes an unexpected (or expected?) dip, or we’re treated to inexplicable rain showers. A breathable shower-proof mac with a detachable hood certainly comes in handy.
Complete the wardrobe-classic-trifeca with a white tee, jeans and a trench coat. Our Patch Pocket Baggy Jean comes in a darker authentic blue wash with generously sized patch pockets on the front and back, and styles seamlessly with the Cotton Slub Tee (landing soon in The Tee Lab). Finish the look with the Canvas Low Top sneaker, and the Swing Mac slung over your arm in case of weather emergencies.