Winter has come to the city of Boston, and with it brings the usual attire of parkas, puffers and the occasional sweatshirt for those “too cool” for a jacket; all of which are valid and functional options for the season.
In the last year, however, more and more men have been experimenting with the silhouette of an overcoat, a timeless and stylish alternative to the usual winter coat. Overcoats are tough to style when first confronted, but, by the same token, are a fantastic way to elevate your winter style.
The most important thing about an overcoat is its length, which traps heat and adds a significant cool factor. Short coats are not ideal — peacoats are safe options, but it’s much harder to find a good peacoat than a coat at a solid price. Overcoats have been worn for decades, so they’re found in pretty much every thrift store in town and in almost every color and style imaginable.
The beauty of these coats is that if they are on the more oversized side of fits, it still looks relatively cohesive and adds to the character of the coat. Lots of freedoms to be had with this garment.
Staying on the casual side of things, there is nothing wrong with throwing an overcoat over a sweatshirt and sweatpants. I have done it, it doesn’t look bad; on the contrary, it looks quite nice.
Proportions are key though, don’t wear slim-fit sweats with a coat, opt for a wider fit without a cuffed ankle. Hoodies don’t look awful with overcoats, but definitely stay away from brighter colors and athletic materials — synthetic fabrics won’t keep you as warm as natural fibers.
Overcoats look nice with your typical attire, such as jeans, flannels, sweatshirts once again and sometimes jackets. Keep the color palette consistent and 10 times out of 10, you will look twice as stylish as before.
Texture and patterns can be another factor to consider: Play around with fabrics that compliment and contrast with the overcoat’s fabric, but don’t go overboard with patterns. One or two patterns usually do the trick. Don’t let that make you afraid to experiment with layering different pieces to see what outfits you can come up with that you may not have otherwise thought of.
If you’re looking to dress things up, overcoats are a great way to layer with knit sweaters, collared shirts and tailoring of all sorts. The most classic route for more elevated layering might look like a suit. Once again, it’s important to avoid slim cut suits and tailoring while wearing an overcoat as it throws off your proportions and takes away from the overall outfit — but that’s a story for a later day.
While I did list some basic guidelines, it’s also important to note that there’s no wrong answer so long as you like what you are wearing. What matters is that you stay warm and stay cool.
