I love learning about the evolution of menswear. Like natural selection in nature, various pressures have caused the design of clothing to change over time. Form is often dictated by function. Riding breeches are cut to be comfortable when straddling a horse but can look a little odd when worn down the street. Before stretch fabrics were invented shapes had to be modified to allow ease of movement, hence those great baggy thighed Jodhpurs of yore. 

Another case in point is the sleeve created for the first Baron Raglan, Lord Somerset. He was hit by a bullet fired from a French musket during the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815. Luckily he was not killed, but unluckily his right arm was smashed to pieces and had to be amputated. Life becomes harder with only one arm especially when clothing constricts movement. Elegant tailoring requires a small armhole on a coat. This is fine when you have a whole arm to wriggle around at the end of the sleeve but rather uncomfortable if you don’t. According to my research it was the tailor John Emary founder of the famous trench coat company Aquascutum who first developed a new design of sleeve specifically to help Baron Raglan. He created a larger armhole which curved over the shoulder in a continuous line from the collar and draped in a pleasing way. Sadly Baron Raglan did not live too long to enjoy his coat. He died a couple of years later from the anxieties of the Siege of Sevastopol. At the time he was in the press for allowing food and clothing shortages but nowadays his name lives on through his ever popular coat.

We have added two super Raglan sleeved coats to our ready to wear collection this year. You can luxuriate in our wonderfully heavy Maddox design. The sumptuous 26oz Donegal wool will keep the winter chills away. It’s a classic design made to last for generations.

Our Trip cloth is a psychedelic take on one of the earliest estate tweed designs made for Lady Balfour. The original featured a red check over a black and white houndstooth. We have distorted this weave in a pleasing way, creating a subtle yet fashionable take on the original.

Both coats fall below the knees and feature generous welted side pockets. We’ve given them a rounded collar which looks good but up and down and cuffed sleeves which are easy to adjust for a snug fit around the wrist.

We’re Celebrating Wool Month now during the month of October. Do come to our shop drinks on the 7th October from 6pm – 9pm where we will be showing you just how versatile wool can be.

The campaign for wool is celebrating 15 years since HM King Charles III initiated the movement. Watch this fascinating video curated by the campaign focusing on the importance of moving way from oil based clothing.

All the best,

Team Dashing