Partially Fixing the Filson Cover Cloth Trench
I picked up the Filson Cover Cloth Trench for an upcoming two weeks in Ireland and the southern UK, immediately noticing two very annoying design flaws, probably because it is "a timeless design" which has not been updated in a long time.
Flaw one: no side entry pockets in the front. The problem here is that if it is raining and you want to put your hands in your pockets, rain is going to be draining off your sleeves into the inside. It is also puzzling since Filson knows how to do this (i.e. in my Mackinaw Cruiser).
Flaw two: the interior pocket is not accessible if the coat is zipped up. The problem here is that if the coat is zipped, your phone or whatever else you have in there is inaccessible without unzipping.
The first I fixed in a way I am very happy with by going to a local specialty fabric store for some patterned waxed canvas from Merchant & Mills, and having my tailor add a side entry pocket by completely covering the original pocket. I had them use the "back" side of the pattered material so the colors were more muted.
I was unfortunately not able to have him create an interior pocket accessible from outside the zipper because he felt there was not enough room between the zipper and the cover flap to viably do it.
Anyway, very happy with how it turned out.
