10 Different Types of Overcoats for Men
A type of long coat, which is simply intended to be worn as the outermost outerwear garment, which basically extends below the knee is known as an overcoat. Overcoats are generally used in the winter season when warmth is more necessary. Sometimes, they are confused with or called topcoats, which are usually shorter and finish at or above the knees. So, basically, topcoats and overcoats together are called outercoats. Unlike overcoats, topcoats are generally developed from lighter-weight cloth like gabardine or covert, while overcoats are manufactured from heavier cloth material or fur. In this article, we explain 10 Different Types of Overcoats for Men.
Different Types of Overcoats have been a big part of men’s fashion. There are no man who does not like to wear overcoats. Having different styles of different types of overcoats can give us unique outlook.
What are 10 Different Types of Overcoats for Men?
- Covert Coat
- Paletot
- Guards Coat
- Ulster
- Chesterfield Coat
- Polo Coat
- Crombie
- Pea Coat
- Trench Coat
- British Warm
1. Covert Coat
When it comes to this type of overcoat, it is somewhat the same as to the Chesterfield, but it was basically manufactured for hunting and the outdoor purposes. Therefore, it is seen that it has been tailored from particularly strong material – the so-called Covert cloth is named after the covert shrub.
It was basically created to shield its wearer from mud, bush encounters, and of course the environment. That is the reason, it had to be very heavy (generally around 29 or 30 ounces a yard), sturdy, as well as durable. Currently, it is found that the fabric is not so heavy anymore, but it is still a tweed material developed to last. It is always available somewhat in a brownish-green color because it does not highlight the dirt too much.
2. Paletot
The name Paletot is generally French and was particularly used to highlight a fairly short overcoat that was generally found to be very fitted, but otherwise could have many characteristics. It is seen that it can be either double-breasted or single-breasted, also with pleats or without, and could also have pockets or not.
Currently, a Paletot is recognized as a classic business overcoat with features like, being double-breasted with a 6×2 button arrangement, when it comes to top buttons, it has a wider button stance and is not buttoned at all, and it generally has peaked lapels. This type of overcoat is found to be very versatile in a dark, plain fabric. Also, it is observed that a navy blue or charcoal Paletot overcoat can be generally worn to the office, with a tuxedo, at funerals, and almost anywhere else.
3. Guards Coat
When it comes to the guard’s coat, it usually originated from the coat English Officers of the Guard who tend to wear. It is generally a kind of a navy blue overcoat which is very same as the Paletot with two basic exceptions, that is it has a half belt in the back area and second is it can be generally buttoned with three buttons or just two.
So, the Guards Coat is not found to be very different from the Paletot. It’s only the back belt, which makes it a little fancier as well as distinct but at the same time it is very tough to identify one off the rack. The one you want to be classic and versatile, yet unique, the Guards Coat is the way to go. Otherwise, just with the stick Paletot.
4. Ulster
The name Ulster basically originated from the Irish province of Ulster, whose people make popular a particular tweed overcoat. A classic Ulster is a kind of long, roomy, as well as double-breasted with simple 6 or 8 buttons. This type of overcoat is generally great for cold weather due to its Ulster collar, it is simpler to shield the neck from the elements.
It generally has a rough country code with usually patch pockets, cuffs, and contrast stitching. It is manufactured out of heavy, durable Donegal tweed. It is belted in the back with a kind of adjustable half-belt. So, overall an Ulster is an overcoat for a man who is outside a lot and needs a reliable associate. It is an ideal overcoat to travel for the colder months of the year because it is found to be very warm, durable, and has big, patch pockets, so nothing can fall out by chance.
5. Chesterfield Coat
This particular type of overcoat is named after the Earl of Chesterfield, and originated in the mid-19th century, it was considered the very first overcoat of its type. Over the years, it has only transformed considerably and today a Chesterfield highlights, no waist seams or front darts, it has simply a single-breasted fly front, it also possesses a short, notched lapel, a velvet collar is also there but it is optional. Basically, when it comes to this overcoat, it is more about knee-long and found in grey as well as charcoal, it is best for a superb business coat. The one who tries with a velvet collar will surely own a conversation starter.
6. Polo Coat
This coat is recognized as an American classic that was founded in England. At the time of chukkers of a Polo game, the polo players generally used to wear a golden-tan wrap-coat simply to keep them warm. After some time, the belt was replaced with buttons, and when they initiated wearing the coats after the game as well, the audience observed it by the end of the 1920 the Polo Coat was one of the most famous and trendy Ivy League overcoats. After some years, no well-dressed man could survive without one.
A Polo Coat has features like, it is particularly developed out of golden, tan-colored camel hair or a 50/50 blend with wool, it also has a half-belt or a full belt characteristic, and it adapts up to 6 or 8 buttons. It also has patch pockets. As one can observe, the Polo coat is quite the same as an Ulster overcoat, but it is unique due to its camel hair fabric and the golden-tan color. When we try its light color, the Polo Coat surely stands out from the crowd. The one who is looking for an American legend, this is a perfect overcoat.
7. Crombie
It is simply a simple single-breasted type of overcoat. It is usually free of ornamentation and basically developed in thick navy blue wool, it’s found to be very versatile in nature and can be dressed either up or down. It is seen that the Crombie usually carries the namesake of its creator, a Leeds-based tailoring store in the United Kingdom. Also, it is commonly connected with Wall Street or City of London bankers, the style has been a unique option with clientele varying from the Tsarist courts from 1890 as well as the Mods from 1960s Britain. The genuine Crombie has enjoyed recognizable clients like Cary Grant and Mikhail Gorbachev.
8. Pea Coat
It is usually a six- or eight-button, with a double-breasted, basically 3/4-length coat with an oversized aspect of collar and lapels. It is normally a standard-issue U.S. Navy coat, it’s ample at Army-Navy surplus chambers and is based on the English reefer jacket. The prototypal color is usually navy blue but is also available in colors like black and some of shades of grey. Many brighter colors like cobalt blue, red, and green are also available in the market, but these are basically sold as women’s garments.
9. Trench Coat
This overcoat was invented by Burberry, particularly for British soldiers in World War I (hence the name was given “trench coat”), this is also a double-breasted raincoat that has a belt and epaulets that hit generally around the knee area. Its primary purpose was to allow as many bullets as possible to be held from the coat itself, that is the reason why there are so many military-motivated details on the coat.
10. British Warm
It is also a double-breasted overcoat which is created from thick Melton wool. It also simply shares the same design as the trench coat, it was developed as a warmer option (hence the name). A dressy kind of greatcoat, this is developed to be worn with tailored garments.
Conclusion
So, to overall conclude, when it’s time for winter, we simply analyze that a simple kind of jacket just doesn’t work greatly to cut it. Facing winds, snowfall, and miserable, ice-cold rain will not only tend to bring you down but also likely to provide you with a cold. So, here overcoats come into the picture. However, there are many different types of overcoats available to select from with their own different styles, it can be sometimes hard to find the correct one for you. So, in the above article, the list is mentioned of types of overcoats along with their features, try to utilize them while selecting the correct one.
References:
- 1.https://www.artofmanliness.com/style/clothing/mans-guide-overcoats/
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overcoat
- https://bespokeunit.com/style/overcoats/
- https://effortlessgent.com/types-of-coats/
- Author: Shubham Anil Jain
- Sr. Consultant, Cent Edge Solutions, Bangalore, India
- Email: [email protected]