Worn by everyone from Tyler, the Creator to Cole Palmer and Joe Wilkinson, duffels are back in demand
It’s the coat most associated with a beloved children’s character, so it makes sense that the duffel is a familiar sight in playgrounds across the country. But this year it is also – once again – quietly enjoying a moment on grown-ups.
In the Christmas advert for Waitrose, comedian Joe Wilkinson wears a duffel coat while in the supermarket with Keira Knightley. Footballer Cole Palmer wore one in 2024’s Burberry campaign, subtitled “It’s Always Burberry Weather”, and Tyler, the Creator wears a short one in the recent video for Darling, I. Meanwhile, Paddington Bear is sporting his on stage in the West End at the moment.
Duffel coats are on the high street too, from a £279 cream design in Labrum’s range for John Lewis to a £64 checked design at Marks & Spencer, a fashion favourite. John Lewis reports that duffel sales are up 75% compared with last month, while searches on resale app Depop are up 159% in the last four months.
The coat might seem genderless, but its newfound popularity is largely with men. Andrew Groves, director of the menswear archive at the University of Westminster, says this is part of a wider trend. “Menswear is shifting back to garments with clear origins and unambiguous functionality,” he argues. “[It] offers weight, insulation and a straightforwardness, which is what a lot of men want right now.”
