Men's Overcoats

Length and the weight of the cloth settle an overcoat before anything else does. Knee-length and below-knee cuts cover a suit jacket completely and hold their line through wind, while car coats and shorter topcoat lengths finish at mid-thigh and move better on foot. Single-breasted styles close on one row of buttons and sit closer to the body, usually under a notch or a narrow lapel; double-breasted and Ulster cuts overlap for a second layer of cloth across the chest, and belted wrap coats close with the belt alone.

Raglan sleeves run the seam from underarm to collar, softening the shoulder and leaving room to move over a jacket, while set-in sleeves hold a cleaner line. Wool and cashmere blends, dense melton and brushed alpaca carry the weight of a real winter coat; twill and gabardine run lighter for the shoulder seasons. Half and full linings, storm collars and hidden plackets finish them.