The peacoat is a familiar outerwear silhouette. It’s a short, double-breasted wool coat with a revere collar and long sleeves. Lengths vary from just below the waist to hip skimming. There are two rows of buttons, and pockets which range from side entry to patch and welted styles. Tab and epaulette details on the sleeves and at the back are optional. Most fits are pretty tailored, but fashion forward designers are also showing oversized variations.
I’m celebrating the glory of the peacoat because it has a high longevity factor. It is a true modern classic that influential design houses like Burberry and Ralph Lauren make every season. Leading American designers like Alexander Wang, Altuzarra, Marc Jacobs and Rag & Bone showcase their peacoat interpretations each season too. I love it when a classic silhouette like a peacoat, which is also pretty unisex, is incorporated into modern fashion and stays in style for a long, long time.
Peacoat colours run the gamut. Navy, ink blue and black peacoats with self-colour or metallic buttons are true classics. But don’t think you have to limit yourself to those colours. Any colour peacoat is fab, and the pictures below are great examples. Tartan and colour blocked styles are fun too.
The beauty of the peacoat comes from its versatile design that suits a range of body types. So far, I have been able to match the right peacoat with any body type and size when shopping with clients. The revere collar allows it to be worn as a V-neck, which is extremely flattering on a larger bust, and a smaller bust. And although double-breasted styles are usually harder to fit on a larger bust and apple shaped midriff — the right fit absolutely works. The structured shoulder line and tailored integrity of the style is excellent across all body types. Adjusting the position of the buttons to create great fit is usually an option. Smaller scale collars work well on shorter necks, and oversized collars are great on long necks. Options with back tab details that nip in the waist are ideal for very curvy bodies.
And furthermore, wearing a peacoat unbuttoned looks as great as wearing it fully buttoned to showcase its shape. Can you believe that wearing double-breasted jackets and coats open was a fashion faux pas ten years ago? And now the look is completely modern, fashionable and fabulous. I guess these forever changing opinions on style are part of what make fashion fun.
Here are three great examples of peacoats in action:
- Shades of navy from head to toe with wide leg jeans and chunky turtleneck. Effective colour repetition with bag and hair.
If you’re after a versatile coat that looks pulled together and flattering, may I suggest the modern classic peacoat in a tailored fit. It can be dressed down with jeans and dressed up with a pencil skirt and trousers for work. It won’t date, and wearing it unbuttoned provides ample “oversized trendiness” if you’re worried about looking too classic. I love the citron peacoat that I bought a few years ago, and I don’t think we will ever part ways.
