Named after the endlessly inventive Jean Cocteau — poet, painter, playwright and provocateur — the Cocteau Duffle Jacket takes inspiration from a life lived at the intersection of tradition and imagination.
With its shawl collar, the jacket departs gently from the expected, softening the classic duffle silhouette into something more sculptural, more romantic — but no less practical. It features wooden toggles and jute rope fastenings, a nod to its utilitarian origins, paired with two generous front patch pockets and a discreet internal buttoned pocket for small essentials.
The result is a jacket that feels as comfortable in the artist’s studio as it does on the high street — bohemian in spirit, but precise in execution.
The duffle coat’s story begins in the late 19th century, when it was adopted by the Royal Navy for its durability and ease of fastening — the toggles and rope closures proving ideal in cold, wet conditions, even with gloved hands. The style evolved from a continental coat made of coarse wool — the “duffel” fabric originally named after the Belgian town where it was first woven. After WWII, surplus duffle coats became a fixture in post-war Britain, embraced by students, artists, and free-thinkers who found comfort in its utilitarian honesty and unpretentious charm.
