The Madrid Coat: A Jacket With a Story

Two fabrics, two encounters, and a jacket that ultimately came to tell its own story.

I have always believed that some of the most special pieces in our wardrobes are not necessarily the most sophisticated or expensive ones. Often, they are the pieces with a story behind them, reminding us of a person, a place, or a particular moment in our lives.

I like the idea that clothing can become a way of preserving those memories. That a jacket can be more than just a jacket, but also a collection of small stories that acquire a special meaning over time.

This is the story of my new Madrid Coat.

An Encounter in Rome

During one of my most recent visits to Rome, I had the opportunity to visit my friend Andrea Pollini at his fabric warehouse.

For those of us who enjoy tailoring, visiting a place like this is an extraordinary experience. Surrounded by so many fabrics, colours, and textures, you can spend hours discovering materials and imagining what could be made from each of them.

I remember one particular fabric that immediately caught my attention. It was a heavyweight Italian cotton, waterproof and in a spectacular shade of brown. It had an extraordinary feel, with the weight, body, and substance I love so much in garments inspired by country clothing.

When Andrea noticed my interest, he said something I still remember very fondly:

“When I bought this fabric, I thought of you. I didn't know what to do with it, but I was sure you would make something incredible.”

And he gave it to me.

It was a very special gesture, not only because of the fabric itself, but also because of what it represented. Andrea knows my passion for classic clothing, quality materials, and garments with personality. The fact that he had thought of me when he came across that cotton made it even more valuable.

I returned to Madrid with the fabric but without a definite idea of what to make from it.

There was no rush. Sometimes, I prefer to keep a good fabric until I find the right garment for it rather than commission something simply for the sake of using it.

And so it remained stored away for a while.

The Second Encounter: A Fabric With a Past

Curiously, the story of this jacket continues in Madrid.

Some time earlier, I had the opportunity to buy several fabrics from a tailor who was about to retire. Among them, I found a vintage wool fabric with a beautiful Prince of Wales check in shades of brown and oatmeal, crossed by orange and green lines.

I loved it from the very first moment.

I did not know exactly what I would use it for, but there was something special about it. Its texture, colours, and the character found in certain vintage fabrics convinced me to buy it.

I have always liked to think that fabrics have their own stories, too. This particular one had been part of the inventory of a tailor who was bringing a chapter of his professional life to a close.

Somehow, I liked the idea that it could have a new opportunity.

I kept it for a while, waiting for the right project to come along.

When Two Stories Meet

With the arrival of autumn, I began thinking about a new version of our Madrid Coat, a garment we developed at Casa Sartorial, inspired by traditional country jackets.

I wanted something comfortable and functional, with enough room to accommodate different layers and accompany me through the colder months in Madrid.

Then I remembered the cotton Andrea had given me.

It was perfect.

But something was still missing.

When I began thinking about the inside of the jacket, I immediately remembered that vintage wool I had bought in Madrid.

The combination seemed extraordinary to me: a sturdy brown cotton with a utilitarian character, paired with a checked wool in shades of brown and oatmeal, with small orange and green accents that added depth and personality.

Two fabrics that had come into my possession at completely different times, from different people, with no connection to one another.

And yet, they seemed destined to meet.

I decided to use the wool for the lining, not only because of its beauty but also because of the warmth it could bring to the garment.

I particularly liked the idea of the inside having as much personality as the outside. When the coat was opened, a second fabric would be revealed, completely different yet perfectly integrated into the overall design.

The Design: From the Countryside to the City

I have always been interested in garments that were created for a specific purpose and eventually found their place in everyday wardrobes. Many of the pieces we now consider classics of menswear have precisely this kind of origin.

The Madrid Coat is based on that idea.

Its inspiration is clearly rooted in country clothing, with references to traditional British country garments, but our interpretation seeks to bring that spirit into the city.

It is a sturdy, functional, and comfortable garment that can accompany us through a working day, on a trip, or during a weekend away.

The silhouette is generous, with a length that extends below the hips and raglan shoulders that allow greater freedom of movement. This construction is particularly useful because it makes it easy to wear other garments underneath, from a chunky knitted jumper to a tailored jacket.

The pockets play a leading role. Two large lower patch pockets, featuring gussets and buttoned flaps, recall traditional country jackets. Higher up, there are two additional slanted pockets that are especially convenient for slipping your hands into.

The collar features a throat latch that allows it to be fastened completely, while the double fastening system, with exterior buttons and an interior zipper, offers additional protection against the cold.

The natural horn buttons, in a dark shade that contrasts with the brown cotton, add the classic character I love so much. The visible stitching and various functional details complete the garment's personality.

But perhaps one of the elements I enjoy most about this version is the interior.

The vintage wool fabric does more than provide an important additional layer of warmth; it completely transforms the experience of wearing the coat. The contrast between the outer cotton and the checked lining is particularly attractive when the garment is left open.

I like to think that a garment's personality does not always need to be on display. Sometimes, the most interesting details are those we discover while wearing it, opening it, or simply looking at it more closely.

Made in Spain

Once the fabrics had been selected and the design finalised, we commissioned one of our trusted workshops in Spain to make the garment. We work with this workshop because of its experience and quality.

When I finally received the finished jacket, the result exceeded all my expectations.

The cotton had exactly the presence I had imagined. Its weight and substance provided structure and character, while the wool lining added a pleasant sense of warmth.

The combination of the two materials worked even better than I had anticipated.

Most importantly, I had created a truly personal garment that matched exactly what I had been looking for.

A jacket with presence, yet comfortable. Inspired by country clothing, yet perfectly at home in the city. With enough personality to stand out on its own, but also versatile enough to combine with much of my wardrobe.

From the Countryside to the City: The Pleasure of Wearing It

One of the things that interested me most when developing the Madrid Coat was creating a garment that, despite its clear country-inspired aesthetic, could fit naturally into my everyday wardrobe.

I have always liked clothes that are not limited to a specific occasion. Pieces that can be worn in different ways and that take on a different personality depending on how we style them.

I believe this coat represents that idea very well.

Its generous silhouette, raglan shoulders, and comfortable construction allow it to be worn over different layers, something I particularly appreciate during autumn and winter.

It works perfectly with a casual outfit consisting of cotton or corduroy trousers, a shirt, and a wool jumper. But it also works exceptionally well over a tailored suit, offering a more relaxed alternative to a traditional overcoat.

I particularly like this contrast: the structure and elegance of a classic suit against the functional, country-inspired character of the coat.

It is a combination that feels very natural for dressing in Madrid, where we often look for garments that can accompany us throughout the day, from a morning at work to lunch or an afternoon meeting.

Ultimately, I believe that a garment's true versatility is not simply about being able to combine it in many different ways. It is about fitting naturally into different situations without losing its identity.

And that is precisely what I find in the Madrid Coat.

A country-inspired jacket perfectly adapted to life in the city.

Much More Than a Jacket

What I like most about this story is that neither of the two fabrics came into my possession with the intention of making this particular garment.

I simply liked them.

Over time, they found their place.

Today, whenever I put on this coat, I remember that visit to Rome, Andrea's generosity, and the fabric I found in Madrid among the last materials belonging to a tailor who was about to retire.

It also reminds me of one of the things I enjoy most about my work: imagining a garment, selecting its materials, and watching an idea eventually become something I can wear and enjoy.

I believe this is one of the great satisfactions of commissioning clothing.

It is not simply about choosing a size or a colour. It is about taking part in the process, making decisions, and gradually building a wardrobe that truly makes sense for you.

This is my interpretation of the Madrid Coat.

A combination of memories, fabrics, and personal decisions that would be difficult to recreate in exactly the same way.

And now, perhaps the most exciting part begins: wearing it, travelling with it, and allowing it to continue accumulating new stories.

Because, in the end, the best garments are not simply those we keep for many years, but those that accompany us as we live through them.

The Madrid Coat: Your Own Interpretation

One of the things I enjoy most about our Made to Order service is precisely the possibility of interpreting the same garment in completely different ways.

My Madrid Coat is the result of two fabrics I found at different times that eventually became part of the same story. But this is only one of the many possible interpretations.

At Casa Sartorial, we offer the possibility of ordering the Madrid Coat made to measure, choosing from a wide selection of fabrics, colours, textures, linings, and details that allow each garment to develop its own character.

From sturdy cotton inspired by country clothing to softer wool fabrics, the possibilities for personalisation are extensive. Every choice can transform the jacket's personality and the way it is worn.

And that is precisely what I find most interesting about this process: it is not simply about choosing a garment, but about taking part in its creation.

The Madrid Coat is available to order through Casa Sartorial's Made to Order service.

Because the garments we enjoy most are often those with which we share a special connection. And what better way to begin that story than by taking part in creating it?

Pictures: Casa Satorial