Types of coat and jacket
- Blazer: light and smart, for work and for layering over knitwear indoors.
- Trench coat: light, often water-resistant, for spring and autumn rain.
- Corduroy jacket and shacket: a shirt-jacket hybrid for casual autumn days.
- Wool or wool-blend coat: smart and warm in dry cold weather.
- Padded or puffer coat: the warmest option for deep winter, especially with a hood.
Many fashion coats are designed for style and mild weather. For a long, cold winter, look for padding, a lining, a hood and a length that covers the hips.
Down or synthetic padding
Down is warm for its weight but loses warmth and dries slowly when wet. Synthetic padding is heavier but keeps working when damp and dries faster, which suits wet snow and sleet.
Fit
- Shoulders: the seam should sit at your shoulder point with room to move your arms.
- Sleeves: long enough to cover the wrist when your arms are bent.
- Chest: room for a jumper underneath if you will wear one. Check the chest measurement on the size chart.
- Length: hip length is easy to move in; knee length is warmer for waiting outside.
One-size and oversized coats are cut loose, so compare the listed garment measurements with a coat you own.
Layering
A coat works best with layers underneath: a base layer, then a jumper or sweatshirt from sweaters and sweatshirts or jumpers, then the coat. The guide to coats, jumpers and sweatshirts for cold weather explains how to build warmth with layers.
Care
Check the care label before washing. Many wool-blend coats need dry cleaning or a very gentle cold wash. Padded coats can usually be washed on a gentle cycle and need a low tumble dry to restore the padding. Close zips and buttons, empty the pockets, and hang coats on a wide hanger to keep the shoulders in shape.
Building an outerwear wardrobe
Most people manage well with two or three pieces: a light jacket or blazer for mild days, a trench or water-resistant coat for rain, and a warm padded or wool coat for winter. Choose neutral colours for the coats you wear most, so they go with everything underneath, and add colour with a scarf or hat. For general sizing help, read the guide to finding your size online.
Common questions
Should I buy a coat one size up?
Only if you will wear thick knitwear underneath or the chest measurement is tight. Check the shoulder width too, as oversized shoulders look sloppy and let in cold air.
What is a shacket?
A shirt-jacket: a heavier shirt, often in corduroy, wool-blend or flannel, worn as a light jacket over a T-shirt or jumper.
Is a trench coat warm enough for winter?
Usually not on its own in a cold winter. A trench coat is a light, rain-resistant layer for spring and autumn, though it can work over a warm jumper on milder winter days.