The iconic Aquascutum Trench Coat joins the ranks at Outdoor and Country
Now a powerhouse of impeccable British craftsmanship, Aquascutum began life as a Mayfair tailors back in 1851, and while successful, the brand didn’t truly become what we know it as today before founder John Emery developed a waterproof textile- and hence the brand ‘Aquascutum’ (meaning ‘water-shield’ in Latin) was born.
From there, the company continued to stand head and shoulders above the competition and relocated to 100 Regent Street in 1895 where their flagship store still stands today. In 1897, Aquascutum received a royal warrant from King Edward VII, their first royal client, marking the beginning of their relationship with the British royal family.
The Aquascutum Trench Coat
The internationally recognised and emulated trench coat was first designed by Aquascutum in 1914 for the British Military in World Wars 1 and 2. Waterproof, self ventilating, and with a range of practical features specifically intended for use by the army officers meant that the Aquascutum trench coat was an instant hit with army. This reliable coat was then adapted to suit the everyday needs of the general wearer, becoming a staple part of British fashion. Over the years the Aquascutum trench coat has been spotted on influencers from the silver screen to the Houses of Parliament. Famous faces such Cary Grant, Mia Farrow, Winston Churchill, Sean Connery and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II have all been seen wearing the classic coat.
Actors Sean Connery and Cary Grant were both fans of Aquascutum Coats. Image Source: The Guardian
The original Aquascutum trench coat design has been imitated the world over, but the competition could not compete with the brand that continued to develop innovative fabrics to protect against the unpredictable British weather. These innovations lead to the creation of Wyncol fabric in 1953; this high performance cotton/nylon blend was wind resistant up to 100mph. This endurance fabric was used to manufacture coats for Edmund Hilary and his team for their ascent of Mount Everest, and was later used for the general public. Six years on, the company developed their most impressive invention to date: the Aqua Five, which was critically acclaimed as the “greatest technical advance in rainwear”. The Aqua Five involved each fibre of the fabric being impregnated to leave the garment crease resistance and water repellent.
Aquascutum Clothing at Outdoor and Country
Today, Aquascutum has evolved into a lifestyle brand, creating high quality, fashion forward pieces from jackets and trousers to denim shirts and polo tops. Ensuring they never fade into the fashion crowd, Aquascutum clothing features distinctive yet understated branding in the form of their signature club check which often appears on the underside of collars, cuffs and in the lining of the coats. This season, discover lightweight summer jackets and crisp white polo shirts all made to the exceptional high standard you would expect from a luxury brand like Aquascutum.
We’re excited to bring this iconic, high profile brand to Outdoor and Country; the high performance fabrics, superb cuts and incredible attention to detail are sure to delight any discerning follower of fashion. You can see our capsule collection featuring the distinctive trench and pea coats here.