Overcoat facts for kids
An overcoat is a type of long, warm coat. People wear it over their other clothes, especially when it's cold outside. Overcoats are usually made from heavy fabric or even animal fur. They are longer than knee-length. A coat that reaches about knee-length is often called a topcoat. People have worn overcoats for hundreds of years. Many armies used them to keep soldiers warm in winter.
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Different Kinds of Overcoats
Over the years, many different styles of overcoats have been popular. Here are some of the most well-known types:
The Greatcoat
The Greatcoat is a very large and roomy overcoat. It often had several capes on the shoulders. Many European armies used greatcoats, especially the former Soviet Union, to keep their soldiers warm.
The Redingote
The Redingote got its name from the English "riding coat." It was a long, fitted coat that could be worn by both men and women.
The Frock Overcoat
The Frock overcoat was a very formal coat worn during the day. It was often paired with a frock coat. This overcoat had a seam at the waist and was shaped to fit closely around the body.
The Ulster Coat
The Ulster coat was a practical overcoat for daytime wear. It first had a cape on top that covered the sleeves, but later versions didn't. This style eventually led to the polo coat.
The Inverness Coat
The Inverness coat was a formal overcoat, good for evenings or working days. It was known for its "winged sleeves," which looked a bit like capes.
The Paletot Coat
The Paletot coat was a slightly less formal option than the frock overcoat. It was shaped with side panels to give it a nice fit.
The Paddock Coat
The Paddock coat was similar to the Paletot but had even less shaping, making it a bit looser.
The Chesterfield Coat
The Chesterfield coat was a long overcoat that didn't have much shaping at the waist. It became very popular and was one of the most important overcoat styles for the next 50 years.
The Covert Coat
The Covert coat is usually brown or fawn-colored. It's a straight-cut, single-breasted coat that was first worn in the countryside. Later, people started wearing it in the city with suits. It has a special look with four lines of stitching at the cuffs and hem. It also has a hidden front closure and two side pockets. Sometimes, the collar is made of velvet.
The British Warm
The British Warm is a taupe-colored, double-breasted greatcoat. It's made from Melton, a heavy wool fabric. This coat was first designed for British officers during World War I. It became famous because of Winston Churchill. The everyday version usually doesn't have the shoulder straps (epaulettes).
Images for kids
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A greatcoat with fur lining from 1907.
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A man wearing a redingote in 1813.
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A frock overcoat from 1903.
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An Ulster coat from 1903.
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An Inverness coat from 1901.
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A Paletot coat from 1909.
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A Paddock coat from 1904.
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A Chesterfield coat from 1901.
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A classic Covert coat.
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Winston Churchill wearing a British Warm coat at the Yalta Conference.
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An overcoat (left) and a topcoat (right) from 1872.
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Napoleon wearing a grey overcoat during a campaign in France in 1814.
See also
In Spanish: Capote (indumentaria) para niños
