Montgomery is the state capital of Alabama. It is also the site of significant events in the American Civil Rights Movement. But a Montgomery is a piece of clothing. Most elementary school-aged children in Europe wore it to school during the last century. It was considered a garment for preppy school kids, especially in England. In my native Italy, adults and children are equally fashionable. My mom and her sisters were designers and tailors. They dressed us kids as though we were going to walk a fashion runway. We were so cute. Our Montgomery coats, red or blue, were paired with the iconic T-Bar leather shoes, red or navy blue, as well.
The Montgomery coat was seen long before I was born. At the end of the 1800s, the Royal Navy created the Montgomery coat for sailors as part of the uniform. It was made out of duffel cloth, a thick boiled wool, resistant to water. The garment was characterized by frog buttons made of horn, a hood and two large patch pockets in the front. A British general, Bernard Law Montgomery, wore it often in battles over the uniform, hence the name of the coat.
Since then, many actors, singers and writers have worn this coat. It goes in and out of fashion with the mood of the moment. This year is coming back again, and I bought myself a similar version. It only has one frog closure instead of the classic three frogs, and the sleeves are shorter. That’s OK here in California, it is cold only a couple of months out of the year. A thick and heavy Montgomery would be out of place.
Autumn has started and I am happy. Colours in nature are glorious, the weather is pleasant, food is earthy and comforting. For me, this is the best season. Ciao,
Valentina
Copyright © 2025 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved
Valentina Cirasola is an interior-fashion consultant. She recently certified as a colour analyst/therapist. She is also an author of 6 published books, a storyteller, and a longtime blogger. Her books offer non-fictional, practical ideas. These ideas can be applied in the home, fashion, cooking, and travel.
Get a copy of her books here: Amazon and Barnes&Noble
Valentina Expressions 
Nov 10, 2025 @ 17:35:26
I have seen photographs of children in these coats. Very cute indeed. I like your nice fashionable coat. It would work here in SA too as our winters are relatively mild.
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Nov 10, 2025 @ 23:09:05
I wish I could find a red montgomery just like that for adults. I found it in dark colors, but red is iconic.
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Nov 11, 2025 @ 04:28:03
Perhaps you could have one made or made it yourself 💜
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Nov 12, 2025 @ 20:31:23
Seamstress in this part of the world are as expensive as professional doctors and lawyers 😳. I might have to wait to go back to Italy.
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Nov 13, 2025 @ 12:15:57
Really, wow, that is interesting. Yes, you might have to wait then.
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Nov 08, 2025 @ 20:08:50
Your mother’s designer genes carry on through you today! I also enjoyed the designer of clothing history!!!
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Nov 08, 2025 @ 21:36:33
You are very right, Mary. To think my mom didn’t want me to become a designer….
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Nov 07, 2025 @ 12:42:55
I want those shoes
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Nov 07, 2025 @ 17:27:50
Annette, they are super comfortable ankle boots.
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Nov 07, 2025 @ 10:54:10
I’ve seen this coat around and it is lovely to know it is a Montgomery coat. Lovely to learn about the history behind it in Europe. It has a quite distinct look and at the same time seems practical. I am sure you did look cute in them when you went to school, and probably had a few in different colours, or even patterns 😀 You look beautiful in your coat. Wishing you a wonderful Autumn 😊
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Nov 07, 2025 @ 17:26:48
Mabel, in my elementary school years, I had a red coat with red shoes, exactly like the picture and my brothers had a blue coat with blue shoes. We looked really cute. I remember also that all the kids didn’t wear a backpack, like they do today, we were a small briefcase full of books and school supplies. Enjoy a wonderful Autumn too.
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Nov 09, 2025 @ 10:52:17
The red coat and red shoes sounded really good on you. Oh, how fantastic you didn’t have those big backpacks when you were in school but a small briefcase with what you need for learning. It’s a different world these days. Heading into Spring over here in the Southern hemisphere, and soon, Summer 😊 Wishing you well, Valentina 💕
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Nov 14, 2025 @ 17:14:46
Yes, it is a very different world today, Mabel. Everything is homogenous and everywhere we go, we find the same things, customs, food, way of dressing, way of thinking, etc. etc. Enjoy your Spring season. Thank you for the visit.
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