Yellow raincoat : the marine raincoat by Guy Cotten
An iconic garment, the genuine yellow oilskin is the emblem of Guy Cotten and a proud representative of the brand's values since the mid-1960s: authenticity, reliability and durability!
Guy Cotten yellow oilskin, the sailor's shelter
The yellow raincoat, symbol of Brittany (along with the sailor's jacket), is an integral part of the equipment of all sea professionals. From the simple PVC-coated canvas jacket to the model we know today, let's discover the history of Guy Cotten, inventor of the famous yellow raincoat!
For Guy Cotten, the conquest of the seas began in fishing ports. In the mid-1960s, the oilskins worn by fishermen were still made of coated cotton. Uncomfortable, heavy and fragile, marine oilskins were at the dawn of a new era. After studying the garment's weaknesses, Guy Cotten and his wife developed a new oilskin made of PVC-coated canvas. Lighter and above all stronger, the fabric could be lined for greater durability. The feeling of comfort seduced fishermen, and the noise spread to all the ports of southern Finistère. The Guy Cotten oilskin became the Sailor's Shelter.
Yellow oilskin: origins and evolution
The Guy Cotten brand, named after its creator Guy Cotten, a French entrepreneur born on October 14, 1936 in Saint-Yvi, is at the origin of the very first marine oilskin. It is by the rIt was through the meeting between Guy Cotten and Robert Cornic, also an entrepreneur, that the first prototype of a yellow oilskin made of PVC (coated oilcloth) was born. The popularity of Guy Cotten was born from the birth of this prototype, which continues to grow today.
In 1960, there was a boom in the number of nautical centers in Brittany. Guy Cotten saw a potential opportunity to make a name for itself in the field of sailing, with a new garment that would be light, resistant and waterproof and windproof.
After consulting with various marine professionals, Guy Cotten developed a resistant jacket in coated nylon. With a large hood, a zipper under a double Velcro flap and cargo pockets, the was quickly adopted by all trades working outdoors. It is also used by individuals for everyday use.
The Guy Cotten yellow raincoat: the pinnacle
Thanks to this garment, Guy Cotten entered the big league. The Breton brand acquired full-fledged status as a reputable brand and established its popularity in the boating industry. The success of the oilskin was undeniable and Guy Cotten was overwhelmed by orders, having to change production sites to adapt to new constraints.
In the same spirit of establishing its image, the brand unveiled its new logo in 1974, which took the form of a fisherman with a round face and arms outstretched, wearing a yellow oilskin and boots on a black background. This logo will become the brand's logo with the yellow raincoat.
Towards the end of the 70s, the brand released the . This fleece-lined jacket is easily identifiable, with its very protective lined collar. Another success! After that, Guy Cotten added other equipment to its catalog, such as the TPS (Thermal Protective Survival) in 1996, designed for survival at sea, the Magic Hood, which follows the movements of the head for better visibility, and the breathable oilskin.
The yellow oilskin in marine fashion
The 1976 drought in France, followed by a wave of heavy rainfall across the country, popularized the Cotten raincoat well beyond the fishing community. Young people in particular turned the professional garment into a future classic of marine fashion. Young girls in particular took to the oilskin of the time, which had an imposing white zip.
Guy Cotten owes its success to :
- Proximity to its target, the relevance and usefulness of its products in the marine field
- The proximity with its customers
- Its ability to meet the expectations and different concerns of fishermen and sailing schools
Guy Cotten has since diversified its offer, even if the brand is known for its oilskin, which remains its flagship product to this day, often copied but never equaled. A success that addresses everyone, men, women and children, partly thanks to its quality/price ratio.
Often copied, never equaled
The yellow raincoat was born out of a need to protect fishermen and professionals during their offshore activities. Guy Cotten, with its slogan "The sailor's shelter", was able to create a garment that allowed for greater freedom of movement, with its lightness, but also provided flawless reliability with its resistance to any test.
Today, Guy Cotten is known for its yellow oilskin, with more than 500,000 sold, and is the pride of Brittany throughout France and the marine world.
