Ulster Coats

The Ulster Coat, also known as an Inverness Coat, was a garment that began in the 1850s as an outer-coat with sleeves covered by a long cape. The coat maybe finished in one of two styles: the more formal is a topcoat with short lapels and the capes are set back behind them. A simpler style removes the lapels, and changes to a fall collar with a tall stand and the cape buttoning across.

The Inverness Cape came into being in the 1880s by removing the sleeves all together and the armholes were cut away beneath the cape. In the Highlands the Inverness cape has come to be the most universally adopted outer garment adopted for rainy weather. Part of the use of the wide arm holes is so that a sporran can be accessed without unbuttoning the coat.

Inverness capes are worn by many fictional characters throughout history including Sir Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, the BBCs Doctor Who, and more recently Harry Dresden of the Dresden Files.

We are proud of our wide selection of Ulster Coats & Inverness Coats & Capes. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.