The Greatcoat, the Ultimate Weatherproof Garment 

An old russian joke, the favorite joke of my grandfather. An old woman asks a soldier: - Son, what do you sleep on in the fields? - On a greatcoat - And what do you cover yourself with instead of a blanket? - With a greatcoat - And what do you put under your head instead of a pillow? - A greatcoat too - So how many greatcoats do you have?

I love this era of clothing. Made to be functional and stylish. With outdoor gear these days it’s either one or the other.

Well, being russian, I might add one small detail to the description of the "Bekesha" coat - the thing you're showing in the video technically can be cold a bekesha, yet in Russia it is a "Polushubok" (meaning a half-jacket). This name shows that this exact type of winter jacket is not as long as it can be. A proper full-length bekesha reaches your knee, not your thigh. This exact one was made specially for more active types of deeds. So there were two different lengths of winter coats and two different names. Not a huge mistake, yet some info which might bring more details.

Ahhh yes, the infamous “horse blanket” weighs 50 pounds soaking wet but will keep you warm in the harshest of Canadian winters, I own three. German M40, Canadian WW2 and US WW2 awesome video mate. May have to add the civil war one to the wardrobe!

Those buttons on the split of the back of the Russian coat, with no button holes opposite, may simply be spare replacement buttons. For when buttons go missing from the front of the coat. Old clothing manufacturers use to provide spare buttons because it was often hard to find matching replacement buttons. I learned this when I was in the U.S. Navy. Noticed buttons inside it in a weird place and mentioned it to my drill instructor. He looked at me as if I was stupid and explained they were replacement buttons so I would have no reason for walking around with a missing button s on my uniform!

As for asbestos in the soviet coat- yes it would have been used for insulation. Asbestos was used for fireproofing insulation in buildings for decades. But the kicker here is so long as you don't damage and open up the asbestos fibers you're good! For the harshest of winters I'm sure it could work very good.

Вот, нормальная мужская одежда, а не всякая хрень, которую навязывает современная "мода". Автору респект

Great to see you back! I don't understand why these useful and stylish items of clothing fell out of use, I really like them

I am wearing my father's bekesha with army leather belt, malahay hat and boots. Living in Eastern Siberia (Yakutsk) with winters up to -50°C it is a must have. Recently police officer respected my look ^^

I'm really enjoying your content. I've always liked vintage/historical fashion, but as I work on a farm, suits don't work for me (and it seems like everyone else who covers vintage menswear just talks about suits). I like that you cover more work-wear style clothing and you've definitely given me many ideas :)

I had the "Bekesha" coat, using it for mountain claiming of Elbrus, it allowed to sleep on snow easily without losing your kidneys on it. Great stuff!

I'm genuinely surprised how much you know about the history and usage of the shinel and Russian/Soviet uniforms of the first half of the 20th century. I'm used to hear this ammount of knowledge only from reeanactors, and usually the ones that have actually spent some time researching the subject. Which sadly, isn't as obvious as one might think. So, kudos to you.

Bought a greatcoat from a vintage shop last year on my birthday. It is the warmest garment I own and I have received nothing but compliments from friends and strangers. I will go on walks in the winter and I won't feel a thing under the coat.

Found a WW2 Canadian great coat at an army surplus here in Canada. Perfect fit, hang is half past the knee. The drape is perfect as the cloth is thick. Having never worn a great coat I was struck by how useful the garment is. The lapels offer you all kinds of options to protect your neck and head. The quilted lining is tops in keeping you warm up here near the Arctic. Thanks for the video as You help confirm why we should be wearing these marvels from the past.

Nice collection! I can recommend the german NVA officers coat from the GDR. It's grey with a black collar. Most you find were produced in the 70s and 80s and they still used the old WW2 german cut with narrow waist and so on and in a variaty of sizes (should check a NVA size guide though). The best part about the officer's coat is the soft yet sturdy wool (not comparable at all to the usual soldier's coat wool), which is also pretty thick and some models have even additional inner lining.

Your style rocks! I am also dressing like back then when all people were stylish and men were gentlemen!! Our society misses that and proper role models!! Keep up the great work!!

Another great video. My Grandma and her two sister used to use my great grandfather's great coat from WW2 as an extra blanket during the winter.

List of songs: I havnt found all of them. If you know one please drop a comment 00:00 Unknown 02:33 Immer Wieder Rhythmus -Willy Berking 05:00 Klavierträume -Willy Berking 08:12 Soul & Mind - E's Jammy Jam 10:24 Book Bag - E's Jammy Jams 13:31 Book Bag - E's Jammy Jams 17:05 Soul & Mind - E's Jammy Jam (repeats until 28:35) 28:37 Säkkijärven polkka Hope that helped atleast someone... Cant believe this video is a year old already.. o

The fun of the Royal Navy greatcoats is how the buttons can be used to denote the owners rank (found this out the hard way trying to replace a button that fell off... turns out pre'53 and only for Captains or Commanders). The one I've got also has a hook inside for a purse, a slit for a sword(!?!) and the throat cover (which the rank was supposed to be attached to).

More useful information for picking a durable warm winter coat, than 99% of the fashion youtubers. Thx

My greatcoats have seen no action this winter, due entirely to not being able to go to the pub. There's certainly been cold enough weather, but I'd feel somewhat overdressed for the 5 minute hop over the road to Tesco local 😩😂 Great vid 👍🏻

A greatcoat is the garment at the top of my priority list and this showcase of various styles and your insights was quite valuable to me. I am quite pleased that I found this channel and look forward to going through your back catalogue and any new videos!

Back in the 1970's my mate had an ex RAF greatcoat. He wore it every day and loved it. Thanks for the video mate.

Love your videos! I can’t find content like this anywhere else on RU-vid. A perfect blend of vintage style and an extremely approachable demeanor. Maybe more up-close B roll on the little details of your kit? Would love to see the cloth textures or the tagging and labeling. Finally, congrats on your new relationship!

You hit the point that I've been looking for - combining the kilt with a greatcoat for maximum versatility! Thanks for this video, I appreciate it greatly!

I wore a German M42 greatcoat for a long time in the winter. It did a great job keeping me warm!

Я служил в армии ВВ МВД РФ в 1992-1994 годах. Зимой носили шинель и бушлаты "Афганка". Шинель для предания красивого вида, металлической щеткой начëсывали ворс 😊

Thank you so much for your very helpful and informative video. I recently bought a World War Two greatcoat and wanted to know how to wear it properly and you told me everything I need to know and more. I wish you continued enjoyment with wearing your vintage coats.

Just stumbled upon this. A fellow young man with an appreciation for antique style and useful knowledge and you earned yourself a subscriber. You’re more dapper than I am sir, and you pull it off exceptional. Keep killing it.

Glad to see someone who owns as many different greatcoats as me. Personally i find the gold buttons garish and have no compunction about replacing them with bakelite or wooden buttons to restyle them, either for a contemporary look or just all-out diesel/steampunk.. My grey danish one and an Australian black one, both of the British double breasted style probably get the most wear time as they blend in quite well with formal or casual styling. Though the Olive Drab ones often draw smiles and positive comments when i wear them too. When the full-length Greatcoat is too bulky for a night out where you can't stow it safely, be sure to have a properly sized Reefer coat.... but the greatcoats is handier in train stations and airports if travelling.

Really interesting. Thanks for putting it together and going through your collection.

Greatcoats were all the rage in my student days in the early 1970s. Army surplus shops did a great line in Army, Navy and Air Force ones. I bought an RAF one from a shop in High Street Swansea for £4. Best four quid I ever spent. Even the Welsh rain didn't soak through it. A few years later I sold it to a mate who'd always fancied it and swapped my allegiance to an ex Royal Canadian Air Force coat from Millets in Swansea. Far superior quality material and styling. It was made the same year that I was - 1952. I've loved it ever since but these days there's a little more of me than there was and I can no longer fit into it wearing thick clothing underneath, but what a beautiful coat ! Quilted warm lining inside to the knee and silky lining in the sleeves. I think I gave about £9 for it !

Wow! Such handsome pieces, those are wonderfully made. Beautiful lines and material.

I got a soviet ushanka for Christmas as a joke last year, this year I'm definitely investing in a matching coat, this video helped me decide

You did a very good job of holding my interest. Your approach is good ! good and thorough historical references, no overbearing background music, the tone and timber of your voice is easy to listen to, keeping it easy going and informative. The girlfriend is a good idea too. As an outdoorsman, I can affirm that everything you say about wool and functional design is correct. Keep up the good work !

New to your videos and liking them so far, hope to see some content in the future on re-waxing the slicker as well as care, cleaning, weatherproofing (?) of the bekesha and wool jackets. Thanks so much!

they really are the best cold weather garment. plus my favorite part of the uniform

Great overview! I've been looking into greatcoat styles as I want to sew my own soon and this was very informative

Thanks to your video, I just bought myself an East German Military Greatcoat, and it’s bloody warm! Great as it’s winter here currently 👌🏻 cheers for bringing these to my attention as a garment, I always loved the looks of the military looks of old, but never knew you could actually buy these.

Wool vintage shirts and trousers that won’t make me poor.

I wear greatcoats all the time in the winter. They feel like a big hug that you can wear.

Not just a greatcoat, but a GREAT coat. I love the look and sometimes wish I lived in a climate where I could wear one frequently.

Look nice to show the coat jackets all beautiful.thank you for your time love all coats

Excellent video chap! I've gone back to having heavy woolen coats over the last ten years. "Modern" synthetic fibres are all very well but, they are not durable. I bet a genuine woolen coat will still be giving great service when a man made fibre coat has long since been incinerated or worse still put in land fill. Keep up the great work on the videos! ....... I will wait with great anticipation for the next one.

Just ran across this video. I really liked it and love the vintage stuff like this.

Great video, very informative and great information. I'm gutted I found your channel two years later

I've always loved the idea of bulletproof greatcoats

Truly excellent video. Popped up randomly in my feed. Liked and subbed. Thank you for the education and I'm now thinking of buying a greatcoat.

Picked up my U.S military great coat from an auction for 30 bucks about 2 years ago, been serving me greatly every winter and windy day

Great video, and coat collection! You killed it with kilts!!

These videos are really high quality!! Keep up the good work! :)

Love the allergy edits, haha! Just enough to get my attention and evoke a laugh, but not so much that they detract from the particular point you're making. Bravo!

Loved the Royal Army great coat. I'm in Chicago where I wear a U.S. Navy issue Pea coat on cold days. I also have a Navy issue Bridge coat. It's a knee-length Pea cost with gilt buttons and epaulets; officers wear these. I wear it as a dress coat.Subscribed.

I would love to see more videos like that, thanks for the knowledge you share. I miss this kind of stuff on insta

Awesome video, love these coats! I have several greatcoats (heavy wool, fur collared, sheep fur like your bekesha one) always getting compliments on all of them.

Love the music swap up another high quality video mate. Joel must be proud of this one

If you like the bekesha, check out a Tulup which is a slightly different cut…or the Swedish M1909 parka made from cotton canvas outer with sheepskin lining and collar

Thats a coat for an adventure. Ive been loving my chore jacket this winter! You asked about my 1870 outfit. Its a sack suit from historical emporium.

Enjoyed every minute of this video. More!

Ive seen you many times in the Kilts and culture fb group. Didn’t know about the channel until now. Stumbled upon it on accident and I love it!

i love the theme of this video with the music, the lanterns and the clothing👌

I'm new to the channel, & I just wanted to say very informative. I learned a lot. The split in the back tail of the coat is to wrap around your legs & when you sit down, you get a wet bum from the saddle, I used to ride horses. I subscribed to this channel. Cheers mate. 🎅🎅

the hooks on the bottom are for you to fasten them somewhere around your thighs, so that when you go through deep mud or snow, the bottom of your coat doesn't drag behind. Also for easier running, I guess. The loops, to which you fasten those hooks, should be on the sideseams, iirc, look below your pockets and down the seams...

Really glad I found this cuz I had been looking for a long coat to replace my old winter coat for a long time now

Just discovered your videos. You’re a really professional and passionate content creator, you should upload more! Subbed!

Thank you, a very nice review. Adding in some close up shots of the buttons would have been a nice detail...But beautiful well fitting coats. I too am returning to wool and traditional materials. Currently I'm eagerly awaiting my vintage US Navy pea coat to arrive. My next hunt is for a sheepskin and shearling coat. p.s. your cabin is adorable.

Was issued one of these for my Army dress uniform. It’s super warm and looks badass.

Man i love your style so much, thanks to you im going to buy my 2nd greatcoat

Thanks for the great content👍. Thanks to you, i have found a few great bekesha's on Etsy and plan on buying it soon.

Well done! You have an exellent eye for vintage clothing. That is a very fine collection of coats you have gathered. While I have had my fair share of military overcoats in the past, I now have just a few, tending more to Duffle coats nowadays, wich have the added benefit of a hood. That russian sheepskin coat is a keeper! Had a swedish M1939 overcoat years ago, made of heavy green canvas with full sheepskin lining. Weighted a ton and warm as a boilerroom. But as the winters here in the Netherlands are mild, I did'nt use it much and sold it again. Later I found a civilian copy that is very close to the design, also made of green canvas but with a much lighter artficial sheepskin liner. The hooks on the bottom of your woolen coat may have been to gather it up and so protect it from becoming dirty with mud, the french overcoats had something similair in WW1. Looking foreward to the next episode : )

Love those greatcoats. Some modern variations are also soo good against the wind and rain. Must have in UK

dude great video, nailed the vibe, you should do a video on traditional pants from different nations, if you're interested. Asia in particular has a lot of interesting types, like the Thai Fisherman's pants. I'd love to learn more about whatever old-school kind you're wearing here too

Love your channel. Subscribed. Cheers from France

Interesting and enjoyable watch, thank you!

What an impressive collection.

great! I love overcoats. The Russian design is superb! quite heavy though, but I have a still heavier Swedish navy overcoat, which is great when you have to be standing around with your binoculars, but not moving through the bush...

Just got a bekesha, it ships here in about a few weeks. I can’t wait to wear it!!!

What a great cold weather look.

Great video and super useful for my writing! Thank you!

Great video, was just about to request a video on your great coats but you delivered before I even asked :)

Just come across this. I really appreciated the upload. Thanks mate

Love the style.

Would love more content like this, that great coat is amazing

I own two Bekesha coats that go to the knees and I love them, super warm even in -30+ temps, size 50 fits you pretty well, I wear a 54-2 and I am 5'10 200Lbs

Great video. I love the greatcoats.

Great video, thank you for sharing

Эти крючки на шинели внизу у ног - для подворота бортов шинели, при движении по грязи или на коне . иначе пропитывается потом коня или набивается грязью и доставляет дискомфорт. На последних версиях его нет.

I love this video! I have fifteen tabs open looking at each of the coats.

I have been wearing military great coats for years and always wondered why others didn't 😂? They are just great quality and look fabulous and I got mine from an old kitbag full of stuff I received from an officer of the Belgian army.

Such a nice collection!!

MAN WHERE WAS THIS VIDEO I LITERALLY NEEDED THIS VIDEO EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO

A long/great coat with a kilt... Never really thought that it would go together, but yeah.... Looks good. I usually when it's extra cold, wear an English shooting coat with mine. By the way, glad to see you rocking the 'newsboy' panel cap. I have an entire collection of those in different materials & colors as an alternative to the tam... and of course, unlike a trilby or fedora, can be easily folded/rolled up and placed in a pocket when not in use without loosing it's shape. Good video Lad!!

i've been wearing a british style belgian 1960s greatcoat for about 6 years now, it's been amazing

very informative, practical wear

I love your collection🎉

Excellent video and collection!💪

Great video! Can't help but notice you have a particular fascination with the old Russian/Soviet coats - would have loved to see more coat designs from other countries alongside as well. I really love the look of the greatcoat myself, particularly the double-breasted ones. But, being a rotund man, I feel like I don't look as sharp in them as I wish I did (time to hit the treadmill!)

Damn brother! You don't see people dressing this good these times

Well done! You have an exellent eye for quallity clothing : ) I love these military coats! Have several myself at the moment, but I'm more into duffle coats now (added benefit of a hood) At one point I also had a very heavy Swedish 1939 canvas and sheepskin overcoat, but as you mentioned yourself on the Russian coat, its hardly cold enough for such a garment here in the Netherlands. Sold it again and later bought a civilian copy, also made of heavy green canvas but with a much thinner ''artficial sheepskin'' lining. My thoughts on the hooks at the lower corners of the wool coats, could it be to hook it up, to protect it from mud? The French overcoat had the same thing in WW1 if I remember correctly. Looking foreward to more from you, but don't feel pressure, making vid's like this is your hobby, not your job, and I can fully understand that you have other things to do that demand your attention. Great that you have a girlfriend who is also into vintage clothing.

Love the whole look