Coats for the Cold
It’s happening. Regardless if you like it or not, the temperature is starting to dip and Fall and Winter are right around the corner. That means it’s time to start considering your outerwear options, and I mean actually paying attention to what you’re going to be wearing outside. If you’re still pulling out the same jacket that you’ve had for years that has buttons falling off and is pilling all over, kick that thing to the curb and invest in something a little more elegant and appropriate.
Two options that are readily available and have stayed and will continue to stay timeless are the car coat and the overcoat. Both boast a similar presence at a glance while possessing key differences that separate them from each other. Each is a great middle point where fashion meets function, as they’re appropriate for a variety of occasions. You’re going to look great in them, while also staying put against the elements outside.
Since its inception, initially to be worn by drivers and passengers of vehicles, the car coat has continued to be a staple piece when you need to throw on a warmer cover. Exemplifying a traditional style for men’s outerwear, car coats have undergone modifications over the years that have helped maintain their classic style while adopting a more forward-thinking approach to adopt facets of fashion we see today.
A car coat typically hits the body at a shorter length than an overcoat, usually around the mid-thigh area, and features a single-breasted front. Car coats can be abstract or toned down in their designs, begin done up in a range of different materials from wool to tweed to even suede and featuring different lapel shapes and pocket detailing. All of these factors play into how easy a car coat can be when transitioning from the car to a night out. Touching on elements of sport and leisure, a car coat pairs great with a nice sweater or button up, tailored pair of trousers, and some simple shoes or boots. It helps to keep that mix of casual and formal appropriate. This piece is perfect for someone who is a little more easy in terms of their style; wants to maintain a put together look while showing that effortless feel.
When you’re looking to maintain that highest elevated presence, you can opt for the overcoat. An overcoat is going to extend below the knees and possess a bit of a wider cut as it is intended to be worn over formal wear, such as a suit. They are pretty simple, with either double or single breasted fronts and a notch or peak lapel or even a storm collar. Their simplicity helps accent your overall appearance as you don’t want to take too much away from what you’re doing, as a formal look says enough already. Overcoats are usually done up in a wool material and, depending on the design, can be heavier or lighter in their weight, which is ideal for the fall to winter change. They’re a great contrast or compliment to your suit, as they have a relatively neutral color palette, with camel being a color that has really taken off the last couple of years with both street and sartorial fashion. An overcoat is that elegant piece that gives you the dressed up look without having to throw on a ton of accent pieces.
Both of these coats are essential pieces of outerwear to grab for your wardrobe, but for the love of God, please pay attention to what you’re buying and how you’re going to wear it. Don’t buy blindly and grab the first thing you see. Make sure they fit you properly. You don’t want something three times your size that’s down to your ankles dragging on the ground every time you walk. If you’re walking down the street in that you’re more likely than not going to get looks, and you might end up looking like someone you don’t want to, just saying. There are right and wrong ways to go about buying these coats, so make sure you’re staying on top of your game. You’ll know when you have it right. Explore the car coat and overcoat options out there; you’ll realize how essential they really are.
