Not sat down to write for a while, but something inspired me for a post the other day and I thought it might require a bit more than the restricted characters that Twitter allows.....
I was sat looking at Peacoat options the other day for a decent Winter style this year, and it got me thinking about one of the best Winter jackets released since this blog and the social feeds was a thing. I'm talking about Pretty Green's Swedish Parka, or the influence for it, the Swedish M1909 Parka. A truly epic piece among the catalogue of Outerwear greats that the brand have produced. And likely still retains a place in the top 3 for many a PG OG and all the stalwarts in between.
The Swedish Parka was of course THE Signature piece from the AW14 White Dove collection, teased ahead of release and seen worn by a certain rock n roller with a known penchant for classic Outerwear.
Our first glimpse of the piece came during a Pretty Green showing for LC:M, with lots of social media ooh's and aah's at the sight of this beauty. Right from that first glimpse it was locked in that this was going to be a major piece for the brand.
As far as Outerwear goes I think we can all agree it is one epic jacket. Cut longer length, a huge Winter collar, storm flap fastening and Borg lined. It would be a hard fought debate as to whether it stands above the multitude of Parka's released by Pretty Green, such is its unique standing.
The influence for the use of the M1909 came from an original jacket owned by Liam Gallagher, as shown by Pretty Green's Design Director Pat Salter during an interview ahead of the range launch.
The design was brought back by Pretty Green not too long ago, re-imagined and renamed as the Cranston.
It also appeared in the AW15 collection, dropped to a shorter length and styled out with a DB front. As perfect as it gets for Winter coolness
A number of other brands have taken on the challenge of a modern interpretation of the style, one of the most notable was the recent Nigel Cabourn x Peak Performance take.
Given a tweak of course, with the removal of the storm flap and buttons, and provided with a luxury outer-skin. A Camo treatment was also a sure fire winner, cut in a different look and some new features added. A quick look at the pockets shine the light on the clear influence.
With Pretty Green more adept than ever with the use of more modern technical fabrics is it time for a revisit to the style to create the ultimate version of this timeless jacket? military styles have continued to influence and inform modern fashion design, even Pretty Green themselves have a new Military capsule collection among their AW21 range.
Peace & Love & Mercy, Paisley Submarine