Overcoat vs Peacoat: How to Wear, Fit, Color

Overcoat vs Peacoat

Let’s talk about overcoat vs peacoat.

If you live in a climate where the temperatures plummet during the winter, you’ll need a coat that is both stylish and timeless, and that will last you many seasons.

Which Coats Should You Have?

Which coat (or coats) would be most appropriate for you to have? You should own an overcoat and peacoat, or perhaps just a peacoat, depending on a few different factors.

I need to ask you a few questions so that I can determine which ones are best for you.

First, do you frequently wear a suit or blazer? If so, you will require an overcoat regardless of your climate because it is the only coat style that goes well with a suit or blazer.

There is no use for a peacoat. Since if it fits well, it will look awful with a suit or blazer because the suit or blazer will actually be peeking out from underneath your peacoat, which looks terrible.

Second, do you reside in an area that has snowfall? If so, a peacoat and an overcoat are necessary.

In order to keep you warm throughout the chilly winter months, an overcoat will cover more of your body. A peacoat is ideal for chilly early spring days or warmer winter days when an overcoat would be too much. It also looks great with casual attire.

Finally, if you rarely wear suits or blazers and there isn’t snow where you live, all you really need is a peacoat. Therefore, your winter coat will be a peacoat if you live in a climate like L.A.

Double or Single-breasted Coat?

Which type of coat—a single or double breasted one—should you choose? Every proper peacoat has two breasts. So, that is not a problem.

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If you’re going to wear an overcoat, you should choose one that is single-breasted rather than double-breasted because the latter requires constant buttoning.

Because if you don’t button it, the fabric is flapping all around and makes the outfit look incredibly sloppy. You have a boxy shape, which is simply unattractive.

Stay with single-breasted overcoats since you can wear them buttoned or unbuttoned and still appear sharp. The coat will keep its nicely tailored shape the entire time.

How Should They Fit

Let’s talk the ideal fit for your overcoat or peacoat.

Before we start, you should wear a suit jacket or blazer underneath when trying on an overcoat because that is how an overcoat is generally worn. In order to achieve the right fit, you need to take into account the additional layers of clothes that will be worn underneath.

When you are trying on peacoats, you should do the opposite and wear something that is not a suit jacket or blazer underneath. This is because, if your peacoat is fitting properly, it will be too short to wear with these items, and it will seem far too casual to ever be worn with a suit jacket or blazer.

We can now begin now that we have established it.

Shoulders

Beginning with the shoulders, you want to make sure that the shoulder seams of the coat end at the same point as your shoulders do. It will be highly expensive and challenging for a tailor to adjust the shoulders if they are too tight or too loose.

Make sure your shoulders fit comfortably before anything else. The shoulders shouldn’t have any creases or divots.

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Sleeves

You want your sleeves to just barely touch the top of your hand as you bend your wrist with your palms facing the ground.

This ensures that the sleeves will cover whatever you have on underneath, which is exactly what you want when you’re wearing an overcoat or a peacoat.

Body

Your coat’s body shouldn’t be too loose. It should lightly hug your torso and rest rather close to it; yet, it shouldn’t feel constraining or tight along your chest or midsection.

Lapel Width

The lapel width for both overcoats and peacoats that are off the rack is generally quite uniform.

This is really not a big deal because you won’t see any lapels that are very thin or wide.

Length

Last but not least, how long should your overcoat or peacoat be?

It should stop just above your knee if it’s an overcoat. If it’s any shorter, an overcoat will appear quite out of place. Anything longer than your knees will eventually become dirty, salt-stained, and simply plain ugly.

It’s not what you want.

It’s quite easy for peacoats. It should end mid- to lower-crotch. Never go longer or shorter than that since you want to make sure that whatever you’re wearing looks proportionate and balances your top and bottom halves of the body.

Please just believe me on this. Make sure that it stops somewhere between the mid and lower crotch.

Your overcoats and peacoats should fit this way.

Best Colors

What colors of overcoat and peacoat work best for you?

The traditional navy color would be my choice for the peacoat. You can choose from camel, navy, black, or charcoal for your overcoats. Although they all look great, I’d recommend choosing charcoal or black if this is your first overcoat.

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However, choose the camel if you want to add a second overcoat to your closet.

Because it will add some color to the items you already have in your wardrobe, and because it is a neutral hue, you won’t have to worry about what you can pair it with. It will match everything.

Best Ways to Wear

The question now is, what are the most effective ways to wear your pea peacoat and overcoat?

I decided to style more formal clothing for this article.

Put on a camel overcoat, a three-piece dark blue suit, a striped dress shirt, a burgundy knit tie, and a tie bar as an example of how to wear an overcoat. Lastly, put on a pair of brown dress shoes.

Alternately, dress in a gray overcoat with a navy tie, a navy blazer, a white dress shirt, a navy tie, a tie bar, gray wool pants, and black dress shoes.

For a peacoat outfit, wear a navy peacoat, a white dress shirt, a black and white striped tie, gray wool trousers and black dress shoes.

These are some examples of how an overcoat and peacoat can be worn.

Peacoat vs Overcoat

Author

  • Christopher

    Christopher has 9+ years of experience as a creative fashion designer who stays current with the latest trends.

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