Forging the fashion

Discover how some surprising items of clothing started their life in the British Isles

- MICHELLE ROWLEY.

From the trenches to the catwalk

Our wet weather makes us experts on raincoats. Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh created the first waterproof material in 1823 by bonding fabric with rubber. While the rubber was an effective rain guard, it smelt unpleasant when warm. Inventor Thomas Hancock helped Macintosh to rectify the problem, enabling the Scotsman to produce 'macs' with a revolutionary fabric. British brands Burberry and Aquascutum supplied World War One officers with their superior weathershielding coats, creating the term 'trench coat'. The style has since been worn by everyone from TV detectives and Hollywood film stars to 1980s yuppies and everyone else keen to look stylish while keeping dry.

GIVE IT SOME WELLY!

In addition to waterproof macs, it is no surprise that temperate Britain also gave rise to a waterproof boot. Toddlers, gardeners, farmers and festivalgoers are among those who choose wellies as practical footwear for work or play. We can thank the First Duke of Wellington for his eponymous boots. In the early 19th century, he asked his shoemaker to modify his leather boots to fit closer to the leg and without a tassel, creating the first wellington boot. The leather was later replaced with rubber, giving us the waterproof boots we wear today.