Castiel's Trench Coat
Castiel's Trench Coat has become a trademark of the character. Creator Eric Kripke wanted to base the look of the character on the D.C. comic book character occult detective John Constantine, also a trench coat wearer.[1]
Misha has described how when he was cast in the role he had to fly to Vancouver to be fitted for the wardrobe, and he pretty much agreed to the first suit they had him try on - little knowing it would be all he would ever wear in the role![2]
The trench coat has not had an easy life - it was shot up by Dean on its very first appearance. Yet while it is always rather rumpled, it miraculously appears repaired at Castiel's next appearance. Misha explained it thus: “Not only can Castiel heal the human body he’s possessing, but he has magical clothes mending abilities as well.”[3]
When the Leviathans take control of Castiel, he is last seen 7.02 Hello, Cruel World as he walks into a lake before his vessel explodes. His trenchcoat washes to shore, and Dean fishes it from the water, folds it up, and takes it with him.
Missing in Action
There are very few occasions when the trench coat is absent. They include:
4.20 The Rapture
Not Castiel, but rather his vessel Jimmy Novak, is seen not wearing the trench coat.
5.04 The End
In a possible version of 2014, Future!Castiel has disposed of the trench coat and appears in more relaxed casual wear, in keeping with his changed persona.
5.21 Two Minutes To Midnight
Castiel is seen in hospital wearing only a hospital gown.
6.15 The French Mistake
In the alternate reality, Misha is seen wearing the trench coat as he plays Castiel, but also without it in a fetching blue sweater.
Stolen
In September 2010 new promo shots were being done for the upcoming Season 6. The shoot was in L.A. and the wardrobe was flown down from Vancouver a few days before, and was stolen somewhere along the way. Items taken included one of Castiel’s trench coats and Dean's Leather Jacket. The person who replaced the items didn’t know anything about the show, which is how Misha ended up wearing a black trench coat.[4]
Cosplay
The Trench Coat has become a staple of Supernatural Cosplay. At Salute to Supernatural Vancouver 2009 even Jim Beaver got in on the act, saying it was the only way to get girls in this fandom.
Some fan cosplay as Castiel:
- Castiel vy @brotheratom
- Castiel for Halloween 2009 by @SabinaBergvall
- Castiel and Pamela Halloween 2009 by may_day_woman
- Group cosplay at Dragon*Con 2009 including Sam, Dean, Castiel, Bobby, Pamela and Mary by tahirire
- Castiel for Halloween 2009 by lilsnbug
- Castiel by terryrose
- Castiel by by ~0pheliaImmortal
- Castiel by calceil
Links
- Fan page for the trench coat on Facebook
- Misha talks about not putting much thought into the wardrobe at Salute to Supernatural New Jersey 2009
- Misha talks about Constantine and Wings of Desire as inspirations for Castiel's trench coat at All Hell Breaks Loose Sydney 2009
- Misha talks about his romantic and sexual relationship with the trench coat at Salute to Supernatural New Jersey 2010
- Misha borrowing a fan's trench coat at Salute to Supernatural L.A. 2011
- Castiel meets the Ghostfacers - in which Castiel clarifies that "technically it's an overcoat"