Grenfell’s return to military-inspired outerwear was a good example of how functional design continues to shape British jackets. Although Grenfell is no longer part of The Sporting Lodge's current range, pieces such as the Pembroke and Redding still show why military references remain so strong in menswear: they bring together protection, utility and a clear sense of purpose. If you are looking at current alternatives in a similar part of the market, the Barbour men’s jackets collection is a sensible place to start.
The Grenfell Pembroke jacket
The Pembroke jacket drew heavily on military clothing, not only in its camouflage fabric but in its overall emphasis on weather protection and storage. Made in an English mill with links to armed forces supply, it was built as a substantial outer layer with a padded hood, a full double-zip, and a storm flap extending high into the neckline. The result was a jacket designed to withstand poor weather while still looking sharp enough for everyday wear.
Its pocket layout also reflected that practical military influence. With chest pockets, waist pockets and additional zipped storage, the Pembroke was clearly intended as a jacket where function came first. That kind of design still appeals today, especially for those looking for outerwear that can handle daily use without feeling overly basic.
The Grenfell Redding jacket
The Redding took a different route, drawing on the legacy of mid-century military dispatch riders and the wider Grenfell connection to British speed and adventure. Part of the Bluebird line, it sat closer to a biker jacket in shape, but still carried subtle military cues in its colour and detailing. The off-centre zip, slanted chest pocket and side buckle adjustments gave it a more streamlined, fitted feel than the Pembroke.
Where the Pembroke leaned into utility, the Redding was more about movement and attitude. Even so, both jackets shared the same broader idea: outerwear shaped by function first, with style following naturally from the design. Readers interested in live alternatives with a similar focus on outerwear may also want to look at the Patagonia men’s jacket collection or the wider men’s clothing collection.
Why military roots still matter in jackets
Part of the lasting appeal of military-inspired jackets is that the best examples rarely feel costume-like. Instead, they borrow useful ideas from service clothing: protection against the weather, practical storage, hard-wearing fabrics, and straightforward construction. That is why this design language still carries weight across modern outerwear, even when the original product is no longer available.
So while Grenfell is no longer a brand on site, this post still serves as a brief look at how military design continues to influence British outerwear and everyday jacket design.
By Neil Summers.
