Finding fabric for trench coat project

[the cappuccino kid]

I´m working on a trench coat muslin and need your help to find the perfect fabric for the final garment to get a classic, and classy, look. First of all, what type of fabric? A cotton gabardine or mix? I would like a "twill" weave surface but it´s not a must.
Second, where do I order from?
Money is no object!
/ The Kid, Sweden

 

[Fastuni]

I don't know a source, but classic trencoats are made either from cotton twill gabardine or smooth popeline.
Go for pure cotton (with waterproof finish) only IMO.

 

[Trenchfriend]

I would recommend a Gabardine cotton/microfibre poly-mix, 50%/50% or 40%/60%. That should be heavier water-repellent.

 

[Seb Lucas]

If you are on this site because of its focus - to honour early and mid 20th century designs and materials - you will want to avoid synthetics.

 

[Doctor Damage]

If you are on this site because of its focus - to honour early and mid 20th century designs and materials - you will want to avoid synthetics.

Good luck finding 100% cotton in the weight and tight weave he will need. Blends are nothing new and often work better. I have three trenchcoats from the late 80s early 90s which are made from a West German blended cotton fabric which looks quality, is water resistant without treatment, and refuses to wear out. Cotton only would not have performed as well over so long a period.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Since money is no object (shipping fees to Sweden) you could try eBay UK, in my experience they have a wider choice of fabrics than other countries. You may have to use a lot of word combinations in the search but I'm pretty sure you will find what you're looking for.

 

[wgnovak]

It would be easier and less expensive to buy a new one. I will not advertise but just mention a well known men’s clothing store in Buffalo,NY USA has made in England Burberry trench coats and even an Aquascutum. Having a bespoke one made by the tailor of your choice is another way to go.

 

[the cappuccino kid]

Thank you for your help!
I know this ad doesn´t look too exciting but would this be a good choice?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLAIN-100...689805&hash=item4ac4a5adb1:g:SvAAAOSwKfVXEWnP

 

[Seb Lucas]

Looks good - 100% cotton and a tight twill. I'd be getting samples sent before choosing.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Thank you for your help!
I know this ad doesn´t look too exciting but would this be a good choice?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PLAIN-100...689805&hash=item4ac4a5adb1:g:SvAAAOSwKfVXEWnP

Not sure. That's more of a potato sack material, it would be OK for a normal jacket but for a Trench you'd want a smoother textured fabric which could be given reasonable water repellency with something like Scotchguard. either 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend but it really depends on what you're trying to achieve, just a coat in the style of or something fonctional.
This looks more promising, there may be other colors; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/100-Cotto...834537?hash=item465c744569:g:zVoAAOSw2xRYfk-z

 

[l0fielectronic]

As mentioned in the post above if you wanted usefull advice then it would probably be helpfull if you posted more about what you are tring to acheive, the look, drape, warmth, style and so on.

You presumably have something specific and slightly unusual in mind hence you taking this route.

The cotton twill you posted a link to is normally used in budget work shirts and uniform clothing from what I've seen. I imagine if you had a trench coat in this material that got wet it would be very heavy and take a long time to dry out.

 

[the cappuccino kid]

Thank you so much for your effort and help.
I agree, the fabric in my link does seem a little rough and lack the elegance of a mens coat.
I follow a pattern in the somewhat famous coat pattern book by Ryuichiro Shimazaki.
I would like my fabric to look as close as the one on the pictures.

 

[the cappuccino kid]

I hope this gives you an idea what I´m aiming for and also that the coat doesn´t look to contemporary for you Fedora Lounger´s!

 

[l0fielectronic]

This website looks to have a good range of options - http://www.therainshed.com/fabrics.htm Perhaps emailing them to see what they would advise to match that coat would be an option.

(I found that from a disscussion here) I would say the heavy drill mentioned above would probably be a little thick and not drape like the coat you've posted.