Coat facts for kids

A coat is a special piece of clothing that you wear over your other clothes. It covers your upper body and often has long sleeves. People wear coats for many reasons, like staying warm when it's cold, keeping dry in the rain, or just to look stylish! Coats usually fasten at the front and can have cool features like collars, shoulder straps, or hoods. Think of a coat as a super useful outer layer for your outfit.

This man's suit from the late 1800s includes a coat and matching trousers.

Why Do We Wear Coats?

Coats are super handy! Their main job is to protect you from the weather. When it's chilly outside, a warm coat can trap your body heat and keep you cozy. If it's raining, a waterproof coat will help you stay dry. Some coats are also worn for fashion, adding a cool touch to an outfit or making you look more formal.

Staying Warm and Dry

Many coats are designed to keep you warm. They are often made from materials like wool, down, or synthetic fabrics that are good at insulating. This means they stop the cold air from getting in and the warm air from getting out. Raincoats, on the other hand, are made from waterproof materials to shed water and keep you from getting soaked.

Fashion and Style

Coats aren't just for protection; they can also be a big part of your personal style. There are so many different designs, colors, and patterns. A coat can complete an outfit, making it look more put-together or fashionable. People wear different types of coats for different occasions, from casual everyday wear to very formal events.

Different Kinds of Coats

There are many types of coats, each with its own purpose and style. Some are short, like a jacket, while others are long and cover most of your legs.

Everyday Coats

• Jackets: These are shorter coats, often ending at the waist or hips. They are very common for everyday wear and come in many styles, like denim jackets, bomber jackets, or puffer jackets.
• Parkas: These are warm, often waterproof coats with a hood, perfect for very cold or snowy weather. They often have a furry lining in the hood.
• Raincoats: As the name suggests, these are designed to keep you dry in the rain. They are usually lightweight and made from waterproof material.

Formal Coats

• Overcoats: These are long, warm coats worn over suits or other formal clothing, especially in cold weather.
• Trench Coats: These are classic, often waterproof coats that usually reach the knee. They have a belt and are popular for both formal and casual wear.
• Blazers: While often called a jacket, a blazer is a type of coat that looks like a suit jacket but can be worn on its own with different trousers or skirts. It's great for smart-casual looks.

A Little Bit of Coat History

Coats have been around for a very long time! People have always needed ways to protect themselves from the weather.

Early Coats

In ancient times, people used animal skins or woven fabrics draped over their bodies to keep warm. As clothing developed, these drapes became more shaped, eventually turning into garments with sleeves.

Medieval and Renaissance Coats

During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, coats became more structured. Knights wore heavy cloaks and coats for protection and warmth. Wealthy people wore coats made from fine fabrics, often decorated with embroidery, to show off their status.

Modern Coats

In the 18th and 19th centuries, coats became very important in men's fashion. Styles like the Justacorps, Frock coat, and Morning coat were popular. The 20th century brought even more variety, with the rise of the Trench coat, Duster coat, and many other styles that we still see today. Today, coats are made for every possible need and fashion trend.

Images for kids

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  Man wearing a coat, painting by Julian Fałat, 1900

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  Overcoat (left) and topcoat (right) from The Gazette of Fashion, 1872

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  An evening coat from the 50s by designer Sybil Connolly

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  Justacorps, a seventeenth and eighteenth century knee-length coat, fitted to the waist with flared skirts

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  Frock coat, a kneelength men's coat of the nineteenth century

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  Morning coat or cutaway, a dress coat still worn as formal wear

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  Tailcoat (dress coat in tailor's parlance), a late eighteenth century men's coat preserved in today's white tie and tails

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  Coatee, an early 19th-century military coat, still worn with Highland dress.

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  Dinner jacket, a men's semi-formal evening lounge coat.

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  Smoking jacket, a men's jacket worn informally with black tie

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  Lounge coat or sack coat, a coat which is also a jacket

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  Duster coat or simply "duster" worn when riding horseback

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  A friendly robot wearing a coat.