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Overcoat

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

An overcoat is a long and thick garment.

Mens Coats 1872 Fashion Plate
Mens Coats 1872 Fashion Plate

It is meant to be the outermost layer of clothing. This helps a person stay warm during the winter. Most overcoats are long enough to reach below the knee. They are often made from heavy cloth or even fur.

Furlinedgreatcoat dec1907
Furlinedgreatcoat dec1907

Some people call shorter coats topcoats. Topcoats usually end at or above the knee. They use lighter fabrics like gabardine or covert. Together, overcoats and topcoats are called outercoats.

Making these coats involves choosing the right materials.

Covert Coat
Covert Coat

An overcoat needs heavy cloth to keep out the cold. A topcoat uses much lighter weight fabric instead. Some coats have special details like a fly front closure. This is a way to hide the buttons. The Covert coat has four lines of stitching on the cuffs. It might even have a collar made of velvet. These details make each style look different.

People have worn long coats for many centuries.

1813-male-Costumes-Parisiens
1813-male-Costumes-Parisiens

In the past, these gowns showed a person's status. They were also used for professional or military uniforms. By the 17th century, many different classes could buy them. During the Regency period, fashion was very specific. Clothes were made to fit the body very closely. These styles included the frock overcoat and the paletot.

Many famous types of coats exist.

Frockovercoat 1903
Frockovercoat 1903

The Greatcoat is very large and has shoulder capes. It was used by many European militaries. The Redingote is a long coat for men or women. The Ulster coat was once a working coat with a cape. Later, it became known as the polo coat. The Inverness coat is used for formal evenings. It even has winged sleeves for a special look.

Invernesscoat 1901
Invernesscoat 1901

Different coats serve different needs in daily life.

Chesterfieldcoat oct1901
Chesterfieldcoat oct1901

The Chesterfield coat has very little shape at the waist. It was a very important style for fifty years. The British Warm was made for British officers in the First World War. It was made of heavy wool called Melton. Winston Churchill helped make this coat famous. You can see how these coats connect to history. They show how people dressed for work, war, or parties.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:Mens Coats 1872 Fashion Plate.jpg
Mens Coats 1872 Fashion Plate.jpg
File:Frank-carr-businessperson-common-history.jpg
Frank-carr-businessperson-common-history.jpg
File:Furlinedgreatcoat dec1907.jpg
Furlinedgreatcoat dec1907.jpg
File:1813-male-Costumes-Parisiens.png
1813-male-Costumes-Parisiens.png
File:Frockovercoat 1903.jpg
Frockovercoat 1903.jpg
File:Ulsterovercoat jan1903.jpg
Ulsterovercoat jan1903.jpg
File:Invernesscoat 1901.jpg
Invernesscoat 1901.jpg
File:Paletotcoat dec1909.jpg
Paletotcoat dec1909.jpg
File:Paddockcoatd jan1904.jpg
Paddockcoatd jan1904.jpg
File:Chesterfieldcoat oct1901.jpg
Chesterfieldcoat oct1901.jpg
File:Covert Coat.jpg
Covert Coat.jpg
File:Yalta Conference cropped.jpg
Yalta Conference cropped.jpg
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