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Coat (clothing)




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A coat (a term frequently interchangeable with '''jacket''') is an outer Garment worn by both men and women, for Warmth or Fashion . Coats typically have long Sleeve s and open down the front, closing by means of Button s, Zipper s, Hook-and-loop Fasteners , toggles, a Belt , or a combination of these.

The term '' Jacket '' is reserved for a hip-length or shorter garment, while ''coat'' can be used for a garment of any length.


HISTORY OF THE COAT


''Coat'' is one of the earliest clothing category words in English , attested as far back as the early Middle Ages . (''See also'' Clothing Terminology .)

An early use of ''coat'' in English is Coat Of Mail , a tunic-like garment of metal rings, usually knee- or mid-calf length.

The medieval and renaissance coat (generally spelled cote by costume historians) is a midlength, Sleeve d men's outer garment, fitted to the waist and buttoned up the front, with a full skirt - in its essentials, not unlike the modern coat.

By the Eighteenth Century , coats had begun to supplant Cape s and Cloak s as outer wear, and by the Twentieth Century the term ''jacket'' became interchangeable with ''coat'' for short garments.


TYPES OF COATS


Coats of the 18th and 19th centuries


Some of these styles are still worn.

  • Basque , a tightly fitted, kneelength women's jacket of the 1870s

  • Duster , a long coat of light-colored material worn by Cattlemen and early Automobile travelers to protect clothing from dust and dirt





Modern coats and jackets


  • Anorak (in the United Kingdom ) or Parka (in the United States ), a Hooded jacket for very cold climates

  • Blazer , a nautically-inspired jacket for men or women

  • Bolero , a very short jacket for women, originally worn by Matador s

  • Car Coat , a hooded hip-length casual jacket inspired by the parka, popular in the 1960s

  • Chesterfield, a long, tailored overcoat of herringbone tweed, with a velvet collar, worn over a suit or dress

  • Dinner Jacket or Tuxedo jacket, a men's coat for formal social occasions, usually of plain black fabric with grosgrain lapels


  • Down coat, a warm coat insulated with goose down

  • Duffle Coat or duffel coat, a warm coat made of thick wool; usually having a hood and fastening with toggles

  • Eisenhower Jacket , a waist-length, fitted, military-inspired jacket with a waistband based on the World War II Army "Wool Field Jacket, M-1944" introduced by General Dwight Eisenhower

  • Field Jacket , a jacket that is worn by soldiers on the battlefield or doing duties in cold weather. The field jacket came about during World War 2 with the US Army introducing the M-1941 and the M-1943 field jacket and issued the jacket to their troops. The most well-known and the most popular type of military field jacket that is on the market today is the M-1965 Or M-65 Field Jacket which came into US military service in 1965.

  • Jeans Jacket or denim jacket, a jacket falling slightly below the waist, usually of Denim , with buttoned band Cuff s like a shirt and a waistband that can be adjusted by means of buttons. Also called ''Levi's jacket'' (see Levi's )

  • Lab Coat , a knee-length simple coat, almost always white, worn by Scientist s, Student s and Researchers in Laboratories

  • Medical coat, similar to lab coat, worn by physicians (also termed white coat)

  • Mess Jacket , a nearly waist-length fitted formal coat worn as full-dress military uniform evening wear, especially in the British Army. Often brightly coloured and trimmed.


  • Motorcycle Jacket , a leather jacket, usually black, worn by Motorcycle riders; originally to mid-thigh, now usually to a fitted waist.

  • Opera Coat , an ankle- or floor-length women's coat of luxurious fabric (often velvet), to be worn over an Evening Gown

  • Overcoat , a long, tailored coat worn over a suit or dress

  • Pea Coat or ''P coat'', a heavy wool Double-breasted hip-length jacket worn by Sailor s, or a coat styled like this

  • Raincoat , a water-resistant or water proof coat, often belted

  • Sportcoat (US) or Sports jacket (UK), a tailored jacket, similar in cut to a suit coat but more utilitarian, originally casual wear for Hunting , Riding , and other outdoor sports; specific types include a shooting jacket and '''hacking jacket''']],

  • Suit Coat the jacket portion of a men's Tailor ed business suit or lounge suit--- Topcoat, a medium-length tailored coat, shorter than an overcoat, worn over a suit or dress

  • Trench Coat , a belted military raincoat developed by Burberry , or any coat styled like this

  • Walking coat, a women's tailored coat of about knee-length, generally to be worn over trousers

  • 7/8 coat, a women's dress coat several inches shorter than the currently fashionable skirt length



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