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Every winter, you think to yourself, “I need a coat that’ll keep me warm and look stylish”. But a single mistake makes you question, and even dread, your choice every single time — falling for the ebbing and flowing tides. So this winter, go for something more classic, like the ones listed in this blog. Here are 5 men’s coats that never have and never will go out of fashion.
Trench Coat
The trench coat was born in the trenches of World War 1 but transitioned easily from military attire into mainstream fashion, thanks to the sturdy, lightweight, weatherproof, and versatile material called gabardine. Traditionally, it’s a long coat the extends all the way to the shins, is double-breasted with wide lapels, and is belted at the waist. A wide vent extending across the back allows for free movement, and the turndown collar is usually worn flipped upwards.
Traditionally trench coats have double breasts, but you’ll find single-breasted versions just as easily. Other detailing includes decorative epaulettes on the shoulders and belts on the cuffs. You can pair a trench coat with both casual and formal attire. So whether you’re going for a lousy look or a sophisticated one, the trench coat is your friend.
The Parka
The parka was made for hunting expeditions in extreme Arctic climates, but today you can wear it while going out with friends on a chilly night. Instead of caribou or seal skin, parkas these days are made from light-weight synthetic materials that give them their signature bulky look, giving the parks its second name — the puffer coat.
A parka can be end anywhere between your waist and knee and feature a zipper closure, slanted welt chest pockets, flap patch pockets, ducktail back with a drawstring, and a large, fur-lined hood. A parka will create a great casual sporty look and works well as an outer shell to your other cold-weather layers.
The Overcoat
A classic even among the classics, an overcoat is intended to be work over a standard suit. It features a wider cut and is made of high-quality wool fabrics that can withstand harsh weather. On an original overcoat, you’ll find a notched collar, flap pockets, notched collar, and a welt pocket at the chest.
However, when it comes to an overcoat, less is more. Overcoats have features for ornamentation, which is what makes them pair well with suits. If you’re looking for one, look for a dark or neutral coloured overcoat will be more versatile and create a good formal look. Lastly, an overcoat may be called other things based on its construction. A light-weight overcoat made for less extreme weather conditions is called a topcoat, while one which is heavy in weight may be called a greatcoat. You’ll plenty of great topcoats in India at a reasonable price in Amazon and Flipkart sales held right before the cold sets in.
The Duffle Coat
Another piece of clothing that owes its creation to the World Wars is the duffle coat. It was made for the British Royal Navy and its iconic toggle closure was designed to be able to be fastened and unfastened while wearing gloves out at sea. The duffle coat was also originally made out of the very fabric it’s named after — duffel. Its oversized hood was supposed to accommodate a naval cap worn underneath.
Today, the duffle coat retains the three to four toggles known as “walrus teeth” that are fastened with rope or leather loops. It features two patch pockets, a shoulder yoke, button tab on sleeves, an inverted pleat to allow movement, and a buttonable strap at the neck. Over time, the duffle coat’s length has shortened to last till the hips, but original versions still extend to the knee. The duffle coat rounds up a casual outfit really well but doesn’t quite work with formal attires due to its bright characteristics.
The Pea Coat
It’s almost as if the coat designs that become timeless were made for a specific purpose and have managed to outgrow their primary use. We’re talking about another piece of outerwear that popularized by the navy — the pea coat. To this day, many pea coats have engravings of anchors on their buttons.
It’s a thigh-length double-breasted coat that was designed to shield the wearer against the cold of the open sea. The coat was originally made of heavy, scratchy melton wool though today we’ve switched to softer wool fabrics. While buying for one, look for a double-breasted button closure with a wide notched collar and lapel. With the pea coat, you can transition from formal to casual with ease.
