Types of coats and jackets: styles and names
Outerwear is told apart by length, collar and fastening: a lapelled blazer reaches the hip, a belted trench the knee, a duffle fastens with toggles, a bomber with a zip and ribbed edges.
Below are the types of blazers, coats and jackets drawn on a figure so the length shows. Each page covers how to recognise them, where they come from, who and when they suit, what to pair them with and which fabrics work.
BlazerA blazer is a tailored, hip-length jacket with lapels, front buttons and pockets, worn over a shirt or blouse.Trench coatA trench coat is a light, water-resistant knee-length coat with two rows of buttons, a belt, epaulettes and wide lapels.Pea coatA pea coat is a short, hip-length, double-breasted wool coat with a large collar and wide lapels.Wrap coatA wrap coat has no buttons: the front overlaps and is held with a self-fabric belt, often with a shawl collar.Duffle coatA duffle coat is a warm, loose thigh-length coat with a hood and wooden or horn toggles on rope loops.Cape coatA cape coat is a sleeveless outer layer that falls from the shoulders over the arms, with slits for the hands at the front or sides.Bomber jacketA bomber jacket is a short, waist-length jacket with a zip and ribbed collar, cuffs and hem.Biker jacketA biker jacket is a short leather jacket with an off-centre zip, wide snap-down lapels and a belt at the hem.Denim jacketA denim jacket is a short, waist-length jacket in denim with a shirt collar, buttons, flapped chest pockets and a waistband.Puffer jacketA puffer jacket is a warm quilted jacket filled with down or synthetic fill, with horizontal stitching that keeps the fill in place.ParkaA parka is a long, thigh-length warm jacket with a hood, often fur or faux-fur trimmed, a zip and big pockets.GiletA gilet is a warm sleeveless quilted vest with a zip and stand collar, worn over a jumper or under a coat.
How to choose
- For work: a blazer, a trench and a wool wrap coat.
- For winter: a parka, a puffer, a duffle coat and a pea coat.
- For spring and autumn: a trench, a bomber, a leather or denim jacket.
- A coat should be long enough to cover the dress or jacket under it.
Lengths
| Length | Where it ends |
|---|---|
| Waist length | bomber, biker and denim jackets |
| Hip length | blazer, pea coat, puffer |
| Thigh length | duffle coat, parka |
| Knee length and longer | trench, wrap coat |
Related guides
- Types of dresses
- Types of skirts
- Types of pants and jeans
- Types of tops, shirts and sweaters
- Types of shoes
- Types of sneakers
- Types of heels
- Types of bags
- Types of necklines
- Types of sleeves
- Types of collars
- Fabric guide: 40 fabrics, properties and care
- Dress codes: what to wear to an event
- Clothing sizes and measurements
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
01What are the types of coats?
Trench, wrap (camel) coat, pea coat, duffle coat, cape and parka; jackets: bomber, biker, denim, puffer, and the blazer.
02Which coat is warmest?
A long puffer or a lined parka; among wool coats, a thick duffle or pea coat.
03What coat goes over a suit?
A trench or a wool coat that ends below the jacket hem.
04What is the difference between a blazer and a jacket?
A blazer is tailored with lapels and a lining; a jacket is looser and often zipped.