LOT.412 BRITISH POSTAL WORKER DUFFLE COAT

This design is based on a duffle coat believed to have been worn by British postal workers around the 1960s. The duffle coat itself originally gained its name and recognition after being worn by the British Royal Navy during World War II. This coat is considered a civilian adaptation of a design originally developed for military use.

The presumed contractor, James Smith & Co., founded in 1830, was based in Derbyshire, England, and is well known for supplying uniforms to the British military, as well as government-issued garments for services such as the postal system and fire brigades. Unlike traditional military designs, this coat is characterized by the absence of a hood and its distinctive asymmetrical front closure.

The construction lines and finishes are largely left raw-cut, and this minimal specification has been faithfully preserved. To further reduce weight while maintaining warmth, an original bonded double-weave melton river fabric is used, achieving both high insulation and lightness. By incorporating a finishing process in which each bolt of fabric is brushed while deliberately disturbing the nap, the coat attains a random, vintage-like texture. Each wooden toggle is individually coated with ""Urushi"" lacquer, serving as a distinctive accent to the piece.