The British fashion group Burberry is selling a cotton silk regimental jacket that might look very a little familiar to U.S. Marines.
The navy jacket trades the EGA, white belt, eagle, globe and anchor, and rank insignia Marines wear for an "army of brass buttons," according to its catalog description — but the style and red trim closely resemble hearkens to an enlisted leatherneck's Marine’s dress blues coat.
One commenter on Facebook said, "The designer looked at a dress blue jacket and said, 'That's a cool jacket, but with 30 or 40 more buttons it could be way cooler,'" one commenter wrote on the Terminal Lance Facebook page.
The biggest difference, though, is the ? The price. According to mymcx.com, an enlisted blue dress coat runs an enlisted Marine is $183.78, according to the Marine Corps Exchange website. The Burberry jacket is going for $2,595 — that’s equivalent to the cost price of about 200 pairs of silkies, Marines' favorite short shorts.!
Matthew McLaughlin, deputy director for the Marine Corps Trademark Office, said the style is "flatteringly-similar" but doesn't infringe on any Marine Corps registered trademarks.
"From a historical perspective, it's also helpful to remember that the general style of the garment is common to many military uniforms, which trace their style [cues] back to the 1800s," he said.
Burberry did not immediately respond to questions about the inspiration for the jacket or whether the company has fielded complaints about its likeness to the Marine dress coat.
Burberry is selling this coat for $2,595.
Photo Credit: Screen grab
The Burberry brand also has a history of military-related designs, though. According to this Smithsonian Magazine article, founder Thomas Burberry invented a water-repellent fabric that was used in creating the trench coat that became common during and after World War I. in wartime.
"By August 1917, The New York Times was reporting that even in America, the British import was 'in demand' among 'recently-commissioned officers,' and that a version of the coat was expected to be a part of soldiers’ regular kit at the front," the magazine Smithsonian reported.
It's not the first time iconic Marine uniform items have inspired mainstream fashion designs. In 2013, the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren began selling cargo shorts featuring the Marine Corps' digital camouflage pattern. The eagle, globe and anchor that appears in the official Marine pattern was filled in, turning them into brown splotches.
Some Marines were angered by the move, as they are by the new Burberry design. Marines and veterans have shared images of the coat on Facebook with the contact information for Burberry's customer service line, calling on others to request that the company stop selling the jacket.
"Marines are buried in this uniform, [don't]dont disgrace it by wearing it as a fashion statement," one woman wrote on Facebook. "If you want to wear it join the Marines and earn it." A Marine veteran on Facebook said, "Why mock the most badass uniform in the world???"
Others wrote that imitation was the sincerest form of flattery.
"However, They could've said, 'inspired by United States Marine Corps! Thank you for your service,'" another commenter wrote. "That would've been a lot better in my opinion."
McLaughlin said the creation of products that are similar to Marine uniforms show the reach of the Marine Corps' brand across the marketplace and pop culture.
The reactions ranged between lighthearted and upset when photos of the Burberry jacket were posted to Terminal Lance's Facebook page:
Still, others saw Burberry's high price tag as an opportunity to cash in on old dress coats.
One commenter said, "I'm gonna sew a Burberry tag on my old blues and put it on eBay for $1,500," another Facebook user quipped.
Another said, "The amount of butt hurt is hilarious. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, notice I said imitation not stolen valor, there is a difference."
One commenter agreed with the flattery but wished there had been an acknowledgment of the inspiration.
"Imitation is the best form of flattery. However, they could've said, 'inspired by United States Marine Corps! Thank you for your service.' That would've been a lot better in my opinion."
a request for comment by press time
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
