There are compelling reasons why the peacoat has endured as popular outerwear for centuries. It’s functional, offering warmth from its heavy fabric and a shield from wind with its secured double-breasted lapels. This style is also quite fashionable, evoking a sophisticated aesthetic.
The Kenneth Cole Men’s Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Peacoat perfectly embodies both the functional and fashionable aspects of this type of outerwear. It has a tailored look and is designed with an interior full-zip bib. The bib and wool-blend material both serve to keep you warm and cozy on chilly days and nights.
What to know before you buy a peacoat for men
Decide on a traditional or modern fit
Dutch sailors, the first people to wear peacoats, understandably weren’t concerned with the way their coats looked. Back in the 1800s, this piece of outerwear served a strictly functional purpose. As time passed and the peacoat gained a devoted following, the focus has shifted more towards its fashion potential.
As a result, the silhouette has gone from boxy to increasingly tapered. However, this style is still somewhat rare. The majority of peacoats on the market have a conservative tapered look that remains loyal to the coat’s roots.
Determine whether you need water protection
While a peacoat offers effective insulation from cold temperatures, not all peacoats are made to keep you dry. Rain or snow can quickly seep into the shell and lining of the coat and leave you wet and shivering. If you live in a place that experiences snow or rain during the cold season, it might be a good idea to look specifically for a peacoat made with water-repellent properties.
Make sure your extremities are protected
A peacoat is an excellent piece of outerwear when it comes to keeping you warm. That said, it’s critical to protect your extremities, as well. Your ears, hands and feet are among the body parts most vulnerable to heat loss and, in extreme cold, frostbite. For this reason, wearing the proper boots, gloves and hat with your peacoat is essential. These winter hats for adults reviewed by BestReviews are excellent for insulating your head and ears.
Peacoat for men features
Type of buttons
Plastic is the material most commonly used for the buttons on a peacoat and they’re usually large in size. However, you can find some peacoats with buttons composed of other materials like wood or metal. You also have your choice of button colors.
Formal double-breasted vs. modern single-breasted
Single-breasted peacoats are somewhat rare, but they do exist. Keep in mind that single breasts look more casual and double breasts look more formal.
Closed vs. open pockets
Traditionally, peacoat pockets didn’t have closures. However, some peacoats currently on the market do have pockets with button or zipper closures.
Peacoats for men cost
You can expect to pay a minimum of $85 to upwards of $350 for a high-quality men’s peacoat. If this price range exceeds your budget, look for end-of-season sales.
Men’s peacoat FAQ
What’s a men’s peacoat?
A. The peacoat is one of the few clothing items that have an almost identical look across men’s and women’s styles. Most peacoats have the same basic features that include a double breast secured by four to six button closures, a notched collar, pockets and a hemline that skims the hips. The current version of the peacoat silhouette is more tapered than its predecessors to account for modern tastes. The majority of peacoats are constructed using heavy, warm fabrics like wool.
What’s the difference between a trench coat and a peacoat?
A. Like the peacoat, the trench coat is a widely popular style that has endured for years. Telling the two styles apart can be tricky for the untrained eye, but it becomes easier once you know the key differences between the two. Trench coats are defined as having 10 buttons, wide lapels, pockets that button shut and a storm flap. Traditionally, the pockets on peacoats lack closures (although some modern iterations do have them), the double-breasted lapels secure using four to six buttons and the coat doesn’t have a storm flap.
Which peacoat for men should I get?
Best of the best peacoat for men
Kenneth Cole Men’s Double-Breasted Wool-Blend Peacoat with Bib: available at Macy’s
Our take: This wool-blend peacoat has a classic silhouette that evokes a tailored look and it’s designed with an attached full-zip bib at the interior.
What we like: The combination of the double-breasted lapel secured by six buttons and the bib with zipper closure will shield you from the wind. And since this peacoat is constructed of a wool-blend material, it’ll keep you warm on chilly days. The double-notched collar adds a sophisticated flair and the design details on the two front pockets finish the polished aesthetic. Due to its classic style and versatility, this is a peacoat you can truly dress up or down for any occasion or setting.
What we dislike: The most consistent complaint among the small number of unhappy buyers was that the bib fits oddly due to the coat’s zipper.
Best bang for your buck peacoat for men
TAM WARE Men’s Wool-Blend Double-Breasted peacoat: available at Amazon
Our take: You don’t have to pay a fortune for a well-made peacoat, as demonstrated by this double-breasted piece made of a wool blend.
What we like: It’s the little details like belted cuffs and a belted back that distinguish this peacoat from others. Buttons accent the belted cuffs and belted back. Other design details that elevate the style of this coat include the modern cut and slim fit. This budget-friendly peacoat is available in four colors that’ll anchor your wardrobe: beige, black and two different shades of charcoal.
What we dislike: Inaccurate sizing was the issue most frequently cited – some buyers said the fit was too large, while others said it was too small.
Honorable mention peacoat for men
Nautica Men’s Three-Button peacoat: available at Macy’s
Our take: You’ll protect yourself and your valuables from getting wet when you sport this water-repellent peacoat.
What we like: In addition to the two standard outer pockets, this peacoat has an interior pocket where you can tuck your valuables for safekeeping. This interior pocket, together with the water-repellent wool-blend fabric of which the coat is constructed, will help keep you and your valuables warm and dry. This outerwear piece has the traditional notched collar, double breast and vertical pockets commonly found on peacoats. You can choose from black, dark navy and charcoal shades.
What we dislike: Fit was the main point of contention for a handful of dissatisfied buyers. Contradicting reports specified the coat as being too tight or being shapeless and baggy. Megan Oster is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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