Car Coat 101
What is a car coat?
Like a topcoat, a car coat is a medium-to-long length piece of outerwear that’s typically made of wool (we use a wool-cashmere blend) and ends just above the knee. But unlike a topcoat, a car coat features a spread collar rather than suit-like lapels. This puts it at a distance from tailoring, giving it a more casual look that’s equally at home with denim and a flannel shirt or your best navy suit.
While it was originally developed for motorists in the early 20th century, you don’t need to be behind the wheel to enjoy its versatility today.
Details of a car coat
The car coat’s more hybrid nature opens it up to additional customization options. If you wish to go all-in on the casual side, you can opt for patch pockets and a traditional, exposed-button front. But if you’d prefer a sharper option to wear to the office, you can select side-entry welt pockets and a fly front for a cleaner, sleeker look.
When to wear a car coat
You can still wear a car coat over a suit or sportcoat to the office, but it’s easily worn with casual clothing, too. From early to mid-fall, you can layer a car coat over a button-down shirt and a pair of corduroys to stay warm, and add a sweater or quilted vest to the mix when temperatures drop further.
How to wear a car coat
A car coat can be worn with more-or-less anything under the sun. It can finish off a classic grey suit or provide an extra layer of warmth over a tweed jacket and corduroys. And yet, it’s just as easily worn over a shetland sweater and a pair of chinos, or an oxford cloth shirt and denim on mid-autumn afternoons.
You might want a car coat if:
You’re looking for outerwear that transitions seamlessly from office to off-duty.
You like the look of a topcoat, but think that topcoats may be too formal for your lifestyle.
You want something a little more elevated than a waxed jacket or barn coat.
You want a coat with a wide range of customization options.
