The Trench Coat Editor: Dawn Embers 
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Mystery Newsletter by Dawn
Taking a look at how certain items might help indicate the role of a character, such as a trench coat. This also can be a misleading feature or maybe indicate some question of methods and potential shady choices. |
When it comes to a big murder mystery scene, one way to tell which character might be a detective is based on a particular piece of clothing. That happens to be the iconic trench coat. In the movies, the character will walk into the scene with their suits covered by a trenchcoat having just come from either the rain or there is the risk of rain in the forecast. They will take charge and state their profession (or something along those lines). But one can almost guess that the guy in the suit with the trench coat, well they might be a detective.
Why does a detective wear a trench coat?
According to a google search, the answer might not be as mysterious or type-casting as one might think. Instead, it's mostly used as an item of clothing, a coat, in order to protect their suits from weather and messes from the scene. A practical reason: protect the suit!
On the other hand, there is something almost creepy or mysterious about a person who is wearing a trench coat with the long length and amount of coverage the material achieves. You never know what be tucked under the folds or in the pockets. They might have a gun. The person wearing the long coat might even be the bad guy. Hard to tell just from a glance and an assumption based on a single piece of fashion.
While iconic in one way, the trench coat might be deceiving. It all depends on how you want to use it within your story, if you focus on any of the fashion as a way to indicate aspects of character.
Another option woiuld be a nice houndstooth or gingham patterned capelet for a detective character. This might help protect the clothing at least a little, but doesn't go as far down. Has that cape element with some flexibility for arm movements since they aren't stuck in extra sleeves. Just some options to consider.
Whether it's the detective or someone else, the trench coat sure can make a statement as a level of desciption in your mystery story. Try it out some time.
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Have you ever used an iconic item of clothing or style to indicate the role a character holds in a story?
The last time that I wrote for the mystery newsletter, I discussed how the antagonist or killer might not look like someone capable of doing harm. Looks can be deceiving. Here are a couple of comments sent back for that topic:
Comment by Shirley  :
Interesting topic :)
My story is about a school. I can't say everything because. it is still running, but what I will say is that someone has been murdered, but we don't know who? We do know it's a woman. None of the staff are missing. A body was found and made to disappear but nobody had a motive. Was it an accident? or a crime of passion? or maybe a deliberate attempt to get rid of someone?
So who is the villain? that depends on the motive.
possible suspects line up....
the secretary who faces redundancy and is a witch.
the caretaker, who dislikes the new headteacher and used to be in the meat trade.
the headteacher, who is a bully and a very forceful character
one of the staff. All have grudges of one sort or another.
all have two faces, one that they show to the world and another that they only show to the mirror.
Shirley
Comment by Madelyn Stone  :
This doesn't have to do with any of my stories. Just a general comment. When our kids were little, they had sessions during the school year where a police officer would come in and talk to them about strangers, drugs, etc. It struck me when attending one that when the little kids (2nd graders, if I remember right) were asked what does a 'bad person' look like, they all answered a man wearing all black clothes.
It was a point to be made to talk to them about how bad people can look like all kinds of people, even kids. That they should use their instincts and always go to someone they trust if something feels not right. Most of them were shocked to think that a woman or even another kid could be bad. Even as adults, I think we do still have that predefined idea in each of our heads as to what a bad guy should look like.
It may be part of the reason why authors can shock some of the audience with who the villain actually is in their books.
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Mystery: July 01, 2026 Issue [#13824]
