Even though World War 1 had ended, men’s and women’s overcoats and jackets continued to be styled after British military coats. Long knee length wool 1920s men’s coats with wide lapels, broad shoulders and a tightly fitted waist (made tighter by a full belt tied at the high waist) emphasized the thin and muscular physique.
Prior to the war men were not encourage to exercise or build their natural bodies. The ultra thin and narrow “jazz” look was the ideal Edwardian fashion. Military training officers had a fair amount of physical training to do to get these waif like men into more suitable shape for the rigors of war. It was only natural that men returning from war could no longer fit into their pre-war clothing nor appreciate the snug suits. Military clothing was more comfortable and more flattering on their new bodies.
1927 Mens Overcoats
As 1920s suits grew more fitted in the torso so did the overcoat in the early twenties. Then as suits grew a bit wider and looser the coats followed as well. What stayed the same was losing the bulky fur lining that was a part of most men’s coats in the late teens. Now a simple silk lining inside a lighter wool or tweed coat was all that was needed. Fitted up top but roomy through the waist and hips made them easy to move in despite the mid shin length.
The nipped in waist made by a tight belt lost favor over the straight hanging long coat for most of the 20’s. Single or double breasted varieties in popular black, grey, dark brown, and herringbone in black and white or brown and white endured the decade. Oddly enough, mens overcoats were not brash and colorful as most other clothing was. Younger wealthier men preferred lighter shades and blends of blue-grey or tan-brown but that was as far as colors went. In 1923 the British trend for dark blue coats came to America. It was touted as the color that flattered all shapes, sizes, and ages. It was the new “black.” Besides coats, dark formal dinner jackets came in dark blue along with men’s business suits and casual pants.
1920s Ulster, Trench, Chesterfield Coats
Fur Trim Ulster Coats
Often made of rough homespun textured tweed that is loose fitting, the Ulster coat is a long, double breasted winter overcoat with very large notch lapels that fold over each other so the coat can be buttoned up all the way. True Ulsters have wide cuffs at the wrist, two front patch pockets, and contrast stitching. The look comes from country gentlemen’s wear in the province of Ulster, Ireland.
Many overcoats resembled trench coats with a wide center belt and a just below the knee length. They were made to repel spring rain in a lighter fabric such as Gabardine. Usually they were just beige. This went on to become the everyday men’s coat of the 1930’s.
The Chesterfield coat was another style that had lesser popularity. Considered an “old” style it was usually black with a velvet collar. Single or double breasted it came back in fashion in the late 20’s when mens coats were more simple and refined. It looks especially well with a Derby hat.
Late 20’s Coat Ad in Blue, Tan, Burgundy and Grey.
1920s Men’s Raccoon Coat
Raccoon Coat Ad with Hefty Price Tag- About $5K in Today’s USA Currency
Entirely fur overcoats, such as the famous Raccoon coat, became a trend and symbol of swanky young college men with sex appeal just like their movie star idol Rudolph Valentino. All men, regardless of age, were quick to buy and wear a Raccoon coat even if it was only worn two or three times a year to football games.
Raccoon Coat over a Tuxedo. The epitome of a trend setting man in the 1920s.
College kids who spent more time outside, riding in fast cars, and attending sports had more use for fur coats. However they were not purchased to be useful, just to be trendy.
In general all fur coats were rare for men to wear. Only in the most extreme winter conditions were they common among those that could afford it, even fake furs.
“College men, knowledge men
Do a dance called raccoon
It’s the craze, nowadays,
And it will get you soon.
Buy a coat and try it,
I’ll bet you’ll be a riot,
It’s a wow, learn to do it right now!”(George Olsen and His Music Listen hear)
Hats and Coats
Prince of Wales in his Overcoat with Felt Hat
The type of coat a man would buy had a lot to do with the hat he wore. Conservative men were enjoying the new fad for the rolled brim Derby hat (aka Bowler hat) while wearing single breasted, wide peak lapel coats. College men preferred the creased felt hat similar to a Homburg. Trilby or fedoras were worn with a double breasted, slightly shorter, trench coat style.
Having a unified look identified men as gentlemen. The wrong hat with the wrong coat, gloves, or shoes was a fashion disaster!
1920s Men’s Jackets
Winter Jackets – Leather and plaid Mackinaw windbreaker jackets.
For working men, sporting men, and leisure wear a long overcoat was too cumbersome to wear. Jackets, also called coatee and windbreakers, were the solution to a practical overcoat. A coatee style was a short version of the overcoat. It button up to a high collar to keep the cold out. It was a less common cousin to the Mackinaw coat. The mackinaw is a double breasted half coat made of a very thick wool horse blanket material. Plaids of dark blue, brown, olive, and black were the most plentiful.
1928 Macinaw Plaid Jacket
Early 1920’s coatees and mackinaws were just short versions of the longer great coats. By the mid and late 20’s the jacket now looked more like a windbreaker with knit ribbing around the waist and cuffs. This kept the wind, rain and snow out. For extra winter warmth they could be lined in sheepskin wool or fur. For the most durable style the all leather Mackinaw in black or brown was both stylish and durable. It was adopted by motor bike riders, auto racers, and aviators becoming synonymous with speed sports.
Lighter versions of these jackets became trendy with the youth. They were even popular with women who called them “lumberjack jackets.” Made of softer wool flannel the jackets still came in large plaids or thin leather with silk or satin lining. Some were adopted into uniforms for college team sports. By the 1950’s they turned into Letterman jackets.
1920s Inspired Men’s Coats
These new overcoats and jackets feature the overall style of men’s outerwear in the 1920s. They make ideal layers for a 1920s look.
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