It’s getting chilly out there, and no matter how well-tailored your suit is, the right overcoat can completely transform your winter style game. More importantly, it can seriously boost your comfort levels, especially on those crisp mornings. But many men simply aren’t aware of how to style an overcoat without adding unnecessary bulk.
Not only do overcoats keep you warm, they also have a streamlined elegance that can quickly and easily elevate your look to a new level of sophistication and style. A well-cut overcoat sharpens your silhouette, adds structure, and instantly elevates even the simplest outfit. What modern man wouldn’t want an instant style boost?
But how do you style an overcoat without drowning yourself in layers?
How To Wear An Overcoat
If you’re new to the overcoat game, there’s a huge range of men’s overcoats available. Start with a dark colour like black, charcoal, or navy. A more versatile coat in these colours works effortlessly across your wardrobe and can be matched with bolder colours underneath; a bright tie, a patterned shirt or a bold suit.
Once you’re confident with overcoat styling, you could add another bolder coat to the collection. Think tones like camel or beige, or even deep red, royal blue, or emerald green varieties. Camel and tan tones look great with most suit and suit combinations but especially tones of blue. Reds and greens can look fantastic, but are a little harder to style, and look best paired back with a more neutral colour palette.
Adding wooden toggles and zippers immediately makes men’s coats look more like casual suits, which is fine if that’s what you’re looking for. But, for a more versatile look, buttons are the way to go, as your overcoat can be dressed up or down.
How Should An Overcoat Fit?
If you’re already on the shorter side, be careful not to go too long with your overcoat length or it will make you look shorter than you are. Go with an overcoat that runs to your knee or shorter.
Taller gents can get away with styles that go below the knee, but you don’t want a coat that goes all the way to the ground; unless you’re planning on a role in The Matrix. Not only are long coats not as comfortable due to their bulkiness, they’re much less versatile and are more difficult to dress down.
Consider where you work, or travel to. In colder climates, you’ll definitely need a longer men’s winter overcoat that goes to or past your knee, but where it is warmer, you may want a shorter style that will take you all the way through autumn and winter.
How To Wear An Overcoat With A Suit
Pay attention to the overall body of the coat. Like suits, well-fitting men’s coats flatter your body in all the right places. Your overcoat shouldn’t create unsightly bulges in different areas. You’ll want it to be snug, yet still have room to wear more multiple layers underneath.
The sleeves of your coat should run just over your suit jacket and shirt underneath, but should never sit almost to the middle of your hand. It should end right at your wrist.
When shopping for an overcoat, be sure to tell your tailor what you’d like to wear it with. Always leave a little extra room, or be sure to try your coat on with a suit underneath. Try it on the same way as you’d wear it in your everyday life. There’s nothing worse than trying to shove multiple layers of clothing into a tight overcoat. The best coats should fit like a sports jacket; snug around the shoulders and fitted at the body; yet with more room to wear layers underneath.
Best Fabrics For A Tailored Overcoat
Go for natural fabrics where possible, as they tend to be much more insulating. Wool suits in Sydney are a great option, or wool and cashmere blends work well. Cashmere adds softness however ensure that your tailored overcoat has some weight to retain its structure and shape.
Can You Wear An Overcoat Casually?
While you can’t beat a classic double-breasted overcoat, which provides a more masculine silhouette, the single-breasted overcoat is equally classy, providing a high level of hassle-free sophistication.
The best part about a great coat is that it can easily transition into weekend wear; making it perfect for that winery weekend away, a classy winter lunch, or a chilly night out on the town. Dress up your look with dark jeans, a collared shirt, bold scarf, boots and a coat.
Or, dress it down for a day look with sneakers and a cosy black turtleneck.
Now that you know how to style an overcoat, you’re ready to find out more. To discuss men’s coats and overcoat styles, get in touch or book a fitting with one of our qualified tailors; we’ll show you the best overcoat styles to suit your body type, wardrobe and lifestyle.