The story of the Original Duffle Coat
 
The word Duffle originally referred to a heavy woollen cloth closely woven for warmth and manufactured in the Belgian Town of Duffel. However over the years it has come to signify a hooded coat with distinctive toggle fastenings which was adapted by the British Navy and used by officers and men of the watch to protect against the biting Atlantic and North Sea winds.

The toggles could be unfastened whilst wearing thick gloves, and hoods were carefully designed to fit over peaked Naval caps. Servicemen wore this style of coat during the 1914-18 war. Between the end of World War I and the start of World War II the coat was modified into the traditional Naval Duffle. Gloverall still maintains this Naval link through the iconic 'Monty' and its application to the service.