The humble overcoat gets a hard time nowadays. Assailed on all sides by parkas, anoraks, gilets, macs and raincoats, the classic wool coat has to take a back seat. But Jigsaw's Fox Brothers' flannel creation isn't going to take sidelining sitting down (if that's not mixing metaphors). Its bold and oversized Glen check shouts, 'I'm here; wear me!' And wear it I certainly have.
The luxurious flannel, woven in Somerset, where Fox Brothers have been based since the 18th century, is soft, warm and generously cut. Too many coats are made as if cloth is at a premium - slim and mean in construction, they are too short and tight to be proper overcoats. But this is a real man's coat - double-breasted with reasonable length and room in the shoulders for layering on cold days. While looking relaxed and stylishly vintage, I think Jigsaw could have been even bolder by making it a touch longer and over-sized in true classic early/mid twentieth century style. Having said that, I appreciate that there has to be a nod to contemporary styling to make it commercially viable.
It is half-lined, harder to do well than full lining, but this is very well-made in Portugal. With real horn buttons, this was well-priced at £395, but, as I write, I see it is now £275 in the Jigsaw sale - so what are you waiting for?
