Most utility clothing isn’t actually that practical. Sure, a chore coat might have a few pockets on the front, but aside from holding loose change or a set of keys, it won’t make life much easier. You wouldn't, for example, reach for one during a downpour, or trust its patch pockets to hold anything of value. Which is where the Submariner comes in. A truly practical bit of kit, it’s the jacket you wear for a long dog walk, or a stroll through the city. You wouldn’t hesitate to ride a bike in it, or wear it to the pub or even go fishing. Its large pockets snap shut; its two way zip and buttoned placket keep out rain, and its dry waxed fabric remains light and breathable. It’s the do-it-all bit of outerwear your wardrobe’s been missing. But let’s break it down a little further.

As always, the Submariner is all about the details. It’s a purely functional piece, with everything serving a purpose, yet the aesthetics are far from an afterthought. It takes inspiration from classic military outerwear, with the simple hooded design and three pocket front reminiscent of military issued jackets of WWII. The twin front pockets and drawcord middle borrow from various military parkas, while the despatch rider’s pocket at the chest references our motor trench with its angled design.

But it’s also functional, retaining a comparable level of water-resistance as traditional wax cotton, and it will take on a distinctive patina with time, becoming unique to the wearer. The elbows and shoulders are reinforced with an extra layer of the fabric, while inside the arms and body remain unlined, with only a cotton buggy lining being used to house the label.

As always, the Submariner is all about the details. It’s a purely functional piece, with everything serving a purpose, yet the aesthetics are far from an afterthought. It takes inspiration from classic military outerwear, with the simple hooded design and three pocket front reminiscent of military issued jackets of WWII. The twin front pockets and drawcord middle borrow from various military parkas, while the despatch rider’s pocket at the chest references our motor trench with its angled design.

And how about those pockets? The front oversized envelope pockets are perhaps the handiest thing about the entire garment. The large flap is designed to ensure nothing will fall out of it, with the interior of the pocket stitched right to the edge of the flap. The full, pleated bellows design allows for expansion, while the twin snap closure gives added reassurance. You could store a small tablet in either one and be confident it would stay dry and safe.

While already a complex design, you’ll also find a second, side entry pocket in each one, perfect for keeping hands warm on the go. The third front, despatch rider’s pocket sits flat against the chest, and thanks to a snap closure of its own will happily keep a passport or wallet safe.

The Submariner is a fundamentally casual jacket, however it’s at its best when paired with both formal & laid back pieces. It works especially well with light blue denim jeans, the two a natural combination for wearing to the pub on the weekend. Indicative of its versatile design, you could wear this duo with anything up top from a shirt or seersucker jacket to a jersey crewneck or hoodie.

It would be a similar story downstairs, with trainers working just as well as leather boots. You could try it with a full suit if you wanted to channel an early 1980s mod look, but for more of a balance, try it with a pair of chinos if you want something smarter. An Oxford shirt would be perfect up top, while a pair of suede loafers would finish off a smart casual take on this military inspired, utilitarian modern classic.

This distinctive pocket was originally designed to store important documents, and is angled so they could be quickly removed by despatch riders during wartime. Today, this detail is just as handy, allowing the wearer to effortlessly reach across their body to retrieve a phone or wallet. While the jacket borrows from the past, it’s far from a reproduction piece, and well thought out details give it a contemporary feel.

Let’s touch on the fabric for a moment. Many of our most distinctive garments are made from our signature waxed cotton, which draws from decades of British textile innovation with its waterproof finish and slightly oily hand feel. For the Submariner though we’ve turned to a dry wax cotton. This gives the jacket a flatter, more matte finish and as a result, a more modern feel. Traditional wax cotton evokes heritage, while this fabric has a more technical look and feel to it, contrasting well with the throwback military design references.

But it’s also functional, retaining a comparable level of water-resistance as traditional wax cotton, and it will take on a distinctive patina with time, becoming unique to the wearer. The elbows and shoulders are reinforced with an extra layer of the fabric, while inside the arms and body remain unlined, with only a cotton buggy lining being used to house the label.

There is, of course, the signature Private White V.C. copper hardware throughout. The military grade two-way zip feels reassuringly robust and allows the jacket to be worn in a couple of different ways. It’s particularly handy when riding a bike, as you can unzip the bottom of the jacket to allow for added movement and comfort, preventing it from bunching up around the middle.

It takes on a slightly smarter appearance when fully zipped and buttoned up to the neck, with the copper studs giving a satisfying ‘snap’ when they click into place. Both cinches, at the hood and waist, are tightened with matching copper hardware, while the breathable eyelets under the arms also share the same metal.

And how about those pockets? The front oversized envelope pockets are perhaps the handiest thing about the entire garment. The large flap is designed to ensure nothing will fall out of it, with the interior of the pocket stitched right to the edge of the flap. The full, pleated bellows design allows for expansion, while the twin snap closure gives added reassurance. You could store a small tablet in either one and be confident it would stay dry and safe.

While already a complex design, you’ll also find a second, side entry pocket in each one, perfect for keeping hands warm on the go. The third front, despatch rider’s pocket sits flat against the chest, and thanks to a snap closure of its own will happily keep a passport or wallet safe.

There are also two hidden interior pockets that button close, the same style you’ll find with our Harrington and Ventile® Mac. In short, the Submariner is so well equipped in the storage department that it practically renders carrying a bag useless. Speaking of the inside, the same attention to detail has been applied to the finishing, with lapped seams throughout ensuring that no raw edges are visible, while the hood has bound seams, keeping everything clean and tidy.

The Submariner is a fundamentally casual jacket, however it’s at its best when paired with both formal & laid back pieces. It works especially well with light blue denim jeans, the two a natural combination for wearing to the pub on the weekend. Indicative of its versatile design, you could wear this duo with anything up top from a shirt or seersucker jacket to a jersey crewneck or hoodie.

It would be a similar story downstairs, with trainers working just as well as leather boots. You could try it with a full suit if you wanted to channel an early 1980s mod look, but for more of a balance, try it with a pair of chinos if you want something smarter. An Oxford shirt would be perfect up top, while a pair of suede loafers would finish off a smart casual take on this military inspired, utilitarian modern classic.