It might still be autumn but there’s a definite winter chill to the air these days, and that means investing in a new coat for the colder days ahead.
Sounds simple enough, but walk into any shop and you’re confronted with a confusing display of endless coats.
Where do you even begin?
Photo by Sebastian Voortman from Pexels
As winter coats come in all shapes and sizes, it’s important to understand your own body shape to compliment it.
There are five established male body shapes that you’ll need to identify yourself as belonging to. These are (and you’ll to excuse the less than forgiving names!):
The Trapezoid - broad shoulders and chest with narrow hips and waist.
The Inverted Triangle – like the Trapezoid but with more definition to the shoulders giving you a ‘top heavy’ appearance
The Rectangle – where the shoulders and hips are roughly the same size
The Triangle – the hips and waist are wider than the shoulders but doesn’t necessarily mean ‘overweight’
The Oval – the torso appears to be rounder than the rest of the body which can give the impression of narrow shoulders.
There are a few considerations to be aware of when buying your winter coat after you’ve figured out your body shape.
If you’re small and broad, then a long coat won’t look as good as a coat that’s ‘fitted’ whereas gents who are a little rounder benefit from a coat that emphasises their shoulders. And if you have a broader top you’re lucky enough that most coats will suit you.
When there seems to be an endless range of coat styles it can be difficult deciding which one to opt for
So, let’s explore the different options and how they differ from each other.
The Trench Coat
A larger coat that is ideal for a taller gentleman, this is one to avoid if you’re on the small side – that means you oval and triangle!
The ‘more fabric than person’ look is never a good one.
Camel, tan or dark shades work well with most suits for the smart and professional touch.
The Parka
These iconic coats can be traced back to the Inuit people of Iceland who made coats from seal skin to protect themselves against harsh winters. Although we don’t use sealskin, they remain a great choice for keeping warm and are usually waterproof too.
There isn’t any one design of Parka which means they’re versatile enough to suit most body shapes, the more fitted it is the better.
Barbour Jacket
The Barbour jacket has gone from hunting essential to wardrobe staple and with the waxy waterproofed finish, you can see why! It’s practical for those who are often working outside and want practicality over fashion.
A broad shaped coat that works well for most men
The Duffle Coat
A duffle coat is worth a quick mention as it looks great on top of a suit and is, therefore, a logical choice for the professional gentleman.
It also compliments men with a broader build.
There we have it – our simple guide to winter coats. Now, which one will you choose?