Donkey jackets were originally worn by operators of the ‘donkey engine’ of the Manchester Ship Canal who needed an insulating yet protective layer to wear daily on the job. It’s a fantastic style, but coming across an original is pretty tough. Sure, there’s been interpretations of this classic, but not many — if any at all — reach the heights of the meticulous reproduction by The Real McCoy’s.
The MJ23125 Wool Donkey Jacket features a loose fit, soft-handed 100% navy Melton wool body, dark horsehide leather reinforcing yokes, patch pockets on the hips, and a button front placket with nut buttons. It’s a simple work jacket, but one that speaks volumes when put together with this kind of precision engineering. The Real McCoy’s have used archive originals to inform their design process but fine-tuned their reproduction with top-quality materials, elevating a simple working coat into a refined piece of menswear.
We love Lost & Found’s casual styling of the MJ23125, but there’s no question that this Donkey could carry any manner of outfit, from a casual get-up with jeans and a hoody up to a smart ensemble with tailored pants and welted footwear. No matter how you style it, it will last and stand the test of time — just how we like things here at Heddels.
Available for $1031 from Lost & Found.
