It’s made for the long season between iced coffee and hot chocolate.
Mornings feel easier now, the kind that let you reach for something light without second-guessing it. In warmer parts of the country, fall doesn’t bring much weather to talk about, just a change in pace. You start to want texture, softer fabrics, clothes that look seasonally right without adding heat. A tan jacket fits that balance, structured enough to look intentional, easy enough to wear through the afternoon.
Underneath, a white Oxford that’s been softened by a few washes, jeans with a lived-in feel, and a braided belt that adds a small bit of detail. Desert boots tie it together, useful and relaxed, ready for whatever the day turns into.
I wouldn’t be the editor of Primer if I didn’t try to find it. Fitting, since Fall Getup Week was built on British countryside layers, waxed canvas, and sturdy boots.
Thanks to Thursday Boot Co. for supporting Primer’s mission and partnering on this piece.
The road out of Glencoe doesn’t ask for much. You slow down, watch the clouds drag across the peaks, maybe pull over just to stand in it for a minute. The crew that filmed Skyfall did the same thing: same landscape, same road, better car. We were there chasing light, not Bond, but the place made sense for what we were shooting. Fall Getup Week was built on that same idea: clothes that hold up when the air turns, layers with structure, fabrics that look better when they’ve gotten to work against weather.
There’s a particular honesty in waxed canvas and heavy knits when the wind gets moving. Something about the resistance they offer. The outfit leans into that instinct, all countryside layers and clean edges, modern cuts with a practical attitude. A structured silhouette, room through the leg… it could have walked off a moor or a coffee shop in Chicago.
If you’ve ever watched Skyfall and thought, Bond looks better without the suit, you’re not alone.
Costume designer Jany Temime had the same thought. For Skyfall’s last act, she took Bond out of the city, out of the armor, and put him in things meant for weather: waxed cotton, cable knits, boots with soles that don’t require rerouting around puddles. Her description was “a gentleman in the country.”
And it fit. Not just him, but the franchise. Bond clothes have always served the setting. That was the trick: put him where he doesn’t usually go, but dress him so it makes sense.
It’s the kind of combination you stumble into once and keep repeating,
One of the most memorable scenes in the whole Bond franchise didn’t involve a fight or a gadget. No stunts, no explosions, barely any dialogue. Just Bond and M standing beside the DB5 under a fog-choked sky:
Fuller cuts, British countryside, and the return of 90s favorites. The week begins with a look made for the season’s first breath of cold air.
There’s a moment when it becomes clear that fall is here. I open the door and the different-over-night weather winks like a grandpa and asks me where my jacket is. Soon I remember how comfortable (and easy to style) layers are and it’s like Ralphie waking up and it’s Christmas season. This is Fall Getup Week.
This is the part of the year where clothes stop being things you tolerate and start being things you choose. Layering becomes possible, shoes with some heft return from their seasonal exile, and jackets finish outfits like Bond’s bow tie. There’s texture, there’s structure, there’s comfort, and for once it feels like the effort has a payoff.
This Year’s Style Creative Direction
If there’s a plot this fall, it revolves around proportion and lost favorites from do-not-wear lists of decades past. Pants with classic, fuller cuts, shirts that have room to layer, tuck, and drape, accessories once phased out. Imagine the British countryside aesthetic colliding with the ‘90s J.Crew catalog. The result: modern, fuller silhouettes catch up to the last decade’s grounding in refined minimalism.
These clothes make sense together, and not in a way that requires learning a new aesthetic. For many of us, it’s one we grew up with, now through our contemporary lens.
The jeans and pants drape, shirts offer room for a little lunch, and jackets manage to frame you without making you look like a wedding photo from 1992. Nothing is baggy, but it all feels a little less precious, everything looks like it belongs to an adult who knows where his keys are.
No one here is chasing the new for its own sake. As the fits across menswear have loosened, we’re invited to a reunion where lost favorites like pants labeled “classic fit,” chunkier-shaped footwear, braided belts, and yes, the prodigal son cargo pant are given a modern edit: shapes you’ve worn before, now with better company.
Sure, you might grumble that you’ve been there, done that, but isn’t that the point? The challenge is finding out how these old shapes fit the current version of you, who, let’s face it, knows a lot more about taste.
We went through the noise to find the pieces that are genuinely worth their sale tag, the kind you’ll still use long after the boxes are gone.
Prime Big Deal Days is here, two days of markdowns that began today at 12:01 AM Pacific and wrap Wednesday at 11:59 PM Pacific. Think of it as the holiday shopping pregame, early enough to feel responsible, late enough that you can still forget where you hid the gifts. You need Prime to get the real prices, a free trial counts, logging in matters. A few strays will leak out to everyone or get matched at other stores.
The good targets are wonderfully unglamorous, which is why they work. Amazon devices often hit their best numbers of the year, Echo speakers, Fire TV sticks, Kindles, Ring and Blink kits, sometimes with little freebies attached. Name-brand tech is usually strong, headphones and earbuds, monitors and laptops, smartwatches, with rare Apple discounts and generous Bose cuts.
Kitchen is a layup, Vitamix and KitchenAid, Ninja and Instant Pot, iRobot and Shark, real money off things you actually use before 8 AM.
Hold a little skepticism for the glittery bargains from unfamiliar brands. A 70% discount on a blender you have never heard of is not a discount, it is a journal entry waiting to happen. Spend the savings on the thing you meant to buy the first time. For big ticket screens and certain gaming consoles, patience can pay, Black Friday sometimes pushes those lower, especially last year’s models. If today’s price is genuinely record low, go ahead, if it looks merely enthusiastic, set an alert and move on.
Remember the rhythm of October, Amazon fires the starting pistol, Target and Walmart sprint after it, the price games continue through November. Use that to your advantage. Grab the items that historically hit bottom now, Amazon hardware, everyday tech from real brands, kitchen workhorses, toys that sell out.
Finally, shop logged in, verify the Prime badge, check return windows, read two real reviews, not the ones that sound like they were written by a smart fridge. Add to cart, compare once, then decide. The goal is fewer boxes, better boxes, and a December with more cocoa and less panic.
→ Below, the best deals worth your time today and tomorrow, curated for a grown man with a life, a kitchen, and people to shop for.
Looks like a flannel, insulates like a down jacket. The weight’s just right for cold mornings when you don’t want to commit to a coat. Similar to the blue Levi’s one I’ve had for 10+ years.
Built for military pilots, worn by astronauts. Sturdy, precise, and American-made, these have stayed relevant for sixty years because nothing about them needed fixing. They’ve been a staple in our features for years for a reason, and this is the rare price drop worth acting on.
A winter-ready version of a classic trucker that never misses. A denim staple that holds its shape. The fleece lining adds warmth, the color fades in the right places, and the whole thing looks lived in from day one.
Bulova’s precision timing and classic dive styling meet at a price that feels like an error. Stainless steel heft and a chronograph that looks far more expensive than it is.
Old-school tailoring with modern comfort built in. You’re getting a pair of office-to-weekend chinos from a heritage brand for the cost of fast fashion.
Comfort-first training shoes with retro running lines and modern cushioning. A steal if you want something that looks sharp off-duty but still handles actual workouts.
The original icon, cut straight through the leg with just enough structure to look intentional. We’ve featured it plenty for a reason, there’s no more reliable foundation for modern casual style.
The kind of coat you buy once and wear for years. Simple collar, deep pockets, and a bit of that old department-store reliability Dockers used to be known for.
A reliable, no-drama pair of jeans. Clean through the leg with just enough stretch to move comfortably. Gap denim isn’t flashy, but it gets the fit right more often than not, and this cut is one of their best.
Smoother, sharper, and lighter than past versions. Feels more like entertainment, less like technology. I have the older Quest 3 and put in some good time almost every week.
Handles quick dinners, weekend breakfasts, and leftovers that somehow taste better than when they were fresh. Makes cooking for one or two feel like less of a chore.
There’s baggage. Jewelry, for a lot of men, brings up a flood of doubts: Is this too much? Too feminine? Too Vegas?
But men have always worn some jewelry. Rings, chains, medals, cufflinks, class rings, ID bracelets; it was part of the uniform. The suspicion toward adornment grew out of the Depression and World War II, when utility took priority and middle-class men pared back to the essentials. That leaner look hardened into habit, and by the early 2000s minimalism made anything beyond a watch feel suspect.
Even then, jewelry never disappeared. Plenty of regular guys wore it without a second thought. My father has approached his appearance with a practical, Primer-like philosophy. In the ’70s he wore his class ring daily, keeping it on for decades. That was common.
F1’s costume designer, Julian Day, echos this when describing the creative direction to WWD, “The people in the movies in the ’70s had an edge, they weren’t as clean cut as people [are today],”…“So I looked at people like Kris Kristofferson, Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, [Clint] Eastwood.” Much of the jewelry was reportedly Pitt’s own collection, brought to set, and selected by him when shooting.
So the hesitation now isn’t timeless, it’s modern. And it isn’t about jewelry. It’s about being caught trying. The clothes keep the beat. The jewelry alters it. Which is exactly why it feels dangerous, the way a beginner drummer panics about hitting the wrong thing and ruining the song for everyone.
What Good Jewelry Actually Does
It adds texture. A gray tee, navy chino, white sneaker outfit is oatmeal. Jewelry is the salt and butter. It also makes you consistent. If someone always wears the same necklace, it stops being “jewelry” and starts being them.
Minimalists should be pleased: it’s the easiest way to add dimension without expanding your closet. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe. Just a chain.
How to Start Without Looking Like You’re Auditioning for a Fragrance Commercial
My curiosity about jewelry started well before Pitt and Apple triple-downed on Formula One. Primer style contributor Daniel Baraka had been including rings, bracelets, and necklaces in his outfits for years. I looked on the way my dog Leela approaches water, fascinated, tail wagging, ready to leap, then recoiling the instant the tide reaches her paws.
Here’s our best affordable finds that keep your style sharp, comfortable, and ready for anything this fall.
Sometimes paying more gets you more. Sometimes, a sharp piece is just that: a sharp piece. And when you’re cruising the aisles of Target or Old Navy, you’re not necessarily looking for a forever wardrobe, you’re looking for something that makes getting dressed and feeling confident a little easier—without dropping major cash.
These aren’t bargain-bin compromises, either. They’re practical moves, each with just enough style to keep you feeling good. From chore jackets that double as WFH heroes to budget velvet trousers that say “let’s get bold,” these finds prove looking sharp doesn’t have to mean shelling out. Here’s a roundup of reliable, stylish pieces that fit right into your day-to-day—all without maxing out your budget.
White jeans are surprisingly easy to pull off and versatile. You see them everywhere in high-end brand lookbooks like Todd Snyder, but why spend big bucks when these get the job done for $30? Especially if you’re worried about spilling your coffee on them Day 2. Durable heavyweight cotton with a bit of stretch means they’re comfy and tough. The tapered fit keeps things sleek, while the classic 5-pocket style has you covered for day-to-day. Pair with anything you’d wear jeans with, and you’re ready for whatever the day throws your way.
This shacket is the ultimate combo of shirt and jacket—light enough for layering, but sturdy enough to throw on as outerwear. This one is in the style of a chore coat, made from a comfy cotton blend, it’s got just enough structure to look put together, but still casual. Pocket game is strong too, giving it that practical, laid-back vibe.
Who said sharp has to mean pricey? These slim fit trousers have a clean, tailored look that can swing from work to date night, dress shoes to white minimalist sneakers. Similar to a pair I have from Banana Republic but half of the retail price.
This sweater polo is basically fall in a nutshell—comfortable, sharp, and versatile. The knit fabric is soft and breathable, making it easy to wear solo or layered under a jacket or blazer. Throw it on for an easy step up from your usual button up, and you’re good to go, whether it’s a casual day out or something a bit dressier.
If an Eisenhower jacket and vintage LLBean had a collab, this plaid jacket would be it. It has a soft fabric and a relaxed fit that make it easy to throw on for a bit of warmth when the weather’s unpredictable. Full-zip front and elastic cuffs mean it’s comfortable, while the bold, retro plaid keeps it interesting without going overboard.
Cold hands? Not anymore. These faux shearling suede gloves bring all the warmth you need without compromising style. The faux shearling lining keeps things toasty, while the suede finish adds a touch of class. Easy to throw on with any fall outfit.
Similar styles at:Madewell, Banana Republic, Todd Snyder
This button-less Johnny collar polo sweater is the sweet spot between relaxed and refined. The open collar gives it a retro vibe that feels fresh again. Great for layering or on its own, it’s a solid option for those in-between occasions.
Buying budget brands usually means playing it safe, but not this time. Houston White’s collaboration brings bold style to Target. Velvet trousers aren’t your average budget find—they add a luxe touch while keeping the fit relaxed yet sharp. Pair them with a sweater for a dressed-up feel or a denim jacket to keep it casual. If you’re into bold, affordable just got more interesting.
Champagne tinted sunglasses have been in my orbit since Matt Damon rocked the hell out of them in Ford V Ferrari, fortunately you don’t have to spend $400 for a similar look.
Similar styles found at: J.Crew, Banana Republic, LLBean
With origins in Scotland’s Fair Isle, this sweater’s intricate patterns have a rich heritage. Traditional Fair Isle knitting dates back centuries, evolving from fisherman’s necessity to a New England prep staple. Here, it’s been modernized the balanced color palette stays true to its roots while feeling contemporary.
A workwear-inspired piece that hits the sweet spot between rugged and stylish. This jacket’s large, retro plaid print keeps things interesting, while the roomy fit makes it comfortable enough to layer.
Ideal for versatility and hard to beat the price if you only wear dress pants occasionally, the design works for casual or slightly dressed-up occasions. Available in several colors, they’re both budget-friendly and ready to mix and match.
If you can’t tell by now, I’m a big fan of sweater polos, but we haven’t had many reliable affordable options for a few years. This one is 100% cotton which means not only is it a budget find, you can wash it like normal and it’ll hold up.
An easy upgrade to basics is to take a basic and mix it up: Here a simple t-shirt looks and lays differently becuase it’s made of a waffle knit. The result? An increase in style interest with the same simple and casual process for you.
I’ve had a very similar jacket from Levi’s for almost 14 years and I still wear it all the time. Water-resistant, and doesn’t wrinkle making it one of my first pulls for days or trips where I want to be able to smash it into a bag and wear it again without worrying about what it looks like.
One of the hardest jackets to find can be that perfect light layer that you don’t have to take off once you’re inside. A lightweight bomber jacket with a classy gray texture easily fits that assignment.
In my opinion, the perfect gray sweatshirt has raglan sleeves and that decorative v at the collar. These vintage details make all the difference but can be hard to find in cheaper options.
For the money, this pea coat is impressive. I’ve had a black one that I’ve worn and featured for years. The fact that it has any wool in the blend at all is crazy, let alone 63%.
In fall, the air is cool enough to switch out t-shirts for something a bit nicer, but not so cold that you need heavy layers every day. Enter the sweater polo—an unassuming workhorse that strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined.
There’s something almost regal about a navy sweater polo. The deep blue fine knit has a sophistication that says you know your style without broadcasting it. Like a perfectly fitting white tee, a well-cut sweater polo made of a nice knit is so stripped of ornamentation it’s almost a style flex—proof of how good simplicity can look. When the temperature dips below seventy, and you need to bridge the gap between casual and a little more put-together, this is your move.
Not a sweatshirt, but just as comfortable. Not a dress shirt, but every bit as sharp when paired right. And best of all? It won’t break the bank—whether you’re browsing the grail racks at Buck Mason or hunting for that perfect knit below $40, the sweater polo is a piece that offers great style at any price point.
The true distinction between a sweater polo and a typical biz casual pique polo is this: drape. In menswear, drape refers to how fabric hangs or falls over the body, shaping the overall silhouette and appearance of a garment. The sweater polo, when made from fine-knit merino or cashmere, brings a drape that’s simply different than the corporate polo—it flows with a softness and natural elegance that your standard pique polo just can’t match.
Tucked in with a pair of dressier chinos—here beltless with the extended button tab for a bit of European flavor—it becomes the backbone of a look that feels polished without feeling contrived.
Or throw it on with straight-leg denim and a woven leather belt, and you’ve got a modern spin on the current relaxed prep trend we’re seeing in all of our usual places like J.Crew and Buck Mason.
Fall isn’t about overdressing; it’s about getting it just right—and the sweater polo is that perfect move. Cozy, refined, versatile, and no fuss—just effortless style from morning chill to evening plans. The sweater polo gets fall right.▪
From smoky tobacco to rich spices and crisp vetiver, these scents blend warmth and depth, capturing the essence of our favorite season for fragrance.
I have to leave the house around 6:45 each morning to beat the traffic and make it to school on time. Last week, halfway to work, my wife texted me, What cologne are you wearing?I haven’t been able to go back to sleep since you kissed me goodbye because it smells so good. And that, gentlemen, is how you know you have a scent that works for your skin.
I say “works for your skin” because not every fragrance smells heady on every skin type. Tobacco, cypress, vanilla, citrus, these smell fantastic on my skin. Intense cedar and oud make me smell like a middle-school boy who put on some of his older brother’s aerosol deodorant.
As we come into fall (if it would ever cool down on the East Coast), it’s a good idea to have a fall fragrance or two for those days at the office as well as nights out on the town. But first, let’s get a refresher on the gradation of fragrances.
In terms of quality, performance (a.k.a. projection), and longevity, it goes…
Eau de Cologne: Lowest concentration of perfume oils (2-6%). You’ll need to reapply throughout the day.
Eau de Toilette: Enough perfume oil to last you through the work day (5-15%), but you’ll need another quick spray before you hit the town.
Eau de Parfum: The highest concentration of perfume oil that most luxury fragrance companies make (15-20%). This will last throughout the work day and well into the evening. It will also cost you quite a bit.
Pure Perfume: Also called extrait de parfum, this has the highest concentration you can buy (20-30%).
In keeping with my cry-once philosophy, I only buy eau de parfum when I buy a fragrance. I’d rather have a few long-lasting scents that will last me years than have to keep reapplying and thus rebuying.
Fall fragrances are all about warmth, earthiness, and texture. And while I recommend each of these, I don’t recommend that you blind buy. Go to microperfume, scentsplit, or any other website that sells samples, and try a sample on your skin first. Or at the very least, go to a store that sells the fragrance you want to try, and throw a spray on your wrist, walk around for an hour, and see how you like the dry down.
Here are the fragrances I like for this season.
This was my first expensive fragrance, and I’m just about to finish my second bottle. The opening is sweet vanilla with the warmth of tonka bean. The dry down brings the tobacco, with cocoa, dried fruit, and a wood sap headiness.
This fragrance was actually designed with the goal of encapsulating autumn. The main note is vetiver, which is a type of grass. The earthy, almost peppery, vetiver is stunning and sharp, but it’s rounded out with with notes of vanilla and cedar.
The scent is in the name, but it’s not like the pepper you put on your dinner last night. There’s something magical about this fragrance. It’s black pepper, myrtle pepper, vetiver, cardamom, and cedarwood. Call me crazy, but this is the embodiment of Earth, wind, and fire. Want to start small? Try the bodywash; it’s outstanding.
Creed has been making perfumes in France for 265 years, and when you smell their perfumes, you understand how they’ve made it this far (and charge this much). There are literally too many fragrance notes to name here, so let’s just say this is an amber scent with pepper and floral notes. Creed says this fragrance is inspired by the stars in the night sky, and when you smell it, somehow that makes perfect sense.
When I first met Katie, The One was my signature fragrance. I wore the eau de toilette version, which lasted well through the workday for me. But the EDP version is so reasonably priced, you may as well get the best. I’m not sure exactly how to describe this fragrance: It’s orange, and sage, and basil and tobacco, and for lack of a better description, it just smells so damn good.
Harlem Perfume Co., a division of Harlem Candle Co., is a relatively new player in the fragrance game, but they’re doing something right. Langston, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance poet, Langston Hughes, is the writer’s perfume. With notes of cinnamon, orange brandy, and sandalwood, it sings of mahogany bookshelves and leather journals filled with fountain-pen printed thoughts. Oh, and the bottle is stunning.
Imagine Tobacco Vanille, but with cinnamon and rum. Side Effect is a compliment getter; it’s the one that causes strangers to ask what in the world you’re wearing. Just make sure you sample it first; the leather notes may land warm on your skin, or they may turn you off.
I’ve heard it said that Ombre Nomade is the smell of royalty. The oud wood, raspberry, and incense come together to create a journey through the desert. I’ve yet to find an oud that compliments my skin, but luckily when you order a bottle, Louis Vuitton sends you a small sampler with it. So if you realize the scent doesn’t work on your skin, you can return the unopened full-sized bottle.
This is the cologne that Jay Gatsby would’ve worn. It croons of parties with famous socialites, endless bottles of champagne, and black ties. The Dandy opens with whiskey on the rocks with a touch of raspberry and bergamot (which is a type of orange). The base consists of oak, cedarwood and musk. It’s masculinity at its fanciest.
While shopping with a friend last year I sampled this fragrance at a Niemen Marcus about two hours from my house. It was intoxicating, but I couldn’t decide if my wife would like it or not. When I got home, she said, “My God, what is that scent? Please tell me you bought that.” Someday I’ll get a bottle, but for now, it’s the one that got away. Giorgio Armani designed this fragrance himself, striving to capture the scent of the Italian church he attended as a boy. Somehow, he managed to do it. It’s incense, vetiver, cedar, and cool pepper. It is, in short, pulchritudinous. Look that up.
The field jacket’s journey into menswear began during World War II, the first version, the M-41, debuted in 1941 to replace the wool service coats used in World War I. Despite its practical intent, the M-41 had shortcomings. Its insulation was minimal, its protection against rain and wind was poor, and its olive drab color faded quickly, reducing its effectiveness as camouflage. Soldiers often regarded it as inadequate for combat, but its widespread use was driven more by necessity than its actual performance.
By 1943, the M-41 was replaced by the M-43, a significant improvement designed for the harsh European winters. It featured a longer, hip-length cut, added pockets, a detachable hood, and a waist drawstring, providing more versatility in cold weather. The M-43 set a new standard, but its successor, the M-50, compromised some of the practical features, making it less effective as a combat garment.
The turning point for the field jacket came with the introduction of the M-65 in 1965. Designed by Alpha Industries, the M-65 was crafted from a blend of nylon and cotton sateen (“NYCO”), providing superior weather resistance. This version retained the classic hip-length cut, olive green color (OG-107), and the utility-driven design that made the M-43 popular. However, the M-65 introduced some key innovations that set it apart. Most notably, it featured a built-in hood that could be stowed inside the collar with a zip closure, replacing the earlier detachable hood system. The jacket’s front zipper was covered by a snap-button storm flap, and Velcro replaced the traditional button cuffs for easier adjustment. These updates made the M-65 highly versatile, adapting to unpredictable weather and offering better protection in the varied climates of the Vietnam War.
The M-65 quickly became a staple in the U.S. military, serving through the Vietnam War and permeating civilian culture.
Over the decades, the M-65 has appeared in numerous colors and camouflage patterns, while its influence on outerwear remains evident in the design of modern field jackets.
There’s something undeniably special about fall. Maybe it’s the crisp air, the kaleidoscope of leaves, or the socially questionable excuse to consume pumpkin-flavored everything. But for me—and I’m guessing for you too—it’s the absolute best season for men’s style. Layering becomes second nature, textures take center stage, and rich colors make even the simplest outfits look thoughtfully put together. Dressing well in the fall isn’t just easy; it’s almost inevitable.
Every year, as summer fades, I find myself genuinely excited to swap out lightweight fabrics for something with a bit more substance. So grab your preferred fall beverage (I’m partial to a classic mulled cider), settle in, and let’s dive into my list of new fall finds that not only embrace the season’s best but also offer enduring style you’ll appreciate long after the leaves have fallen.
Combining the texture of a thermal, the softness of a sweatshirt, and the weight of a light flannel, a cotton waffle shirt is the silhouette of your favorite button up.
Outside of specific professions or subcultures, many of us don’t find the need to dress up with a blazer very often. But mashup a sweatshirt with the cut of a blazer and you get the French terry blazer, an easy-to-wear alternative to a sweater or lightweight jacket that gives even the simplest outfits an edge of refinement without looking out of place.
Or go the other way with a cool riff on the trucker jacket that doesn’t add flash
Gap takes the Type III trucker design and brings in the Scottish menswear pattern Houndstooth in a wool-blend. Old British hunting jacket meet Americana.
A minimalist leather jacket that still has some edge
Moleskine is a menswear staple that’s made out of cotton and brushed to have a suede-like texture. Traditionally used for suit jackets and pants, Flint & Tinder created a lightweight bomber out of it.
Maintain your comfort into fall embracing the relaxed silhouettes reemerging in the last several years. A straight fit, while still nailing a refined inseam length keeps everything looking intentional, not sloppy.
For a more traditional blazer alternative to the knit terry option above, the corduroy suit (and plenty of other 80s favorites) easily layers over a zip-up hoodie or a rugby polo as J.Crew has styled here. Soft, plenty of texture, and more affordable than many of its wool counterparts – what’s not to love?
You know the comfort of laying under a heavy blanket? Imagine it’s a shirt. Heavyweight utility workshirts like these soft premium versions from Relwen have the enduring details of decades past with an already broken-in feel.
One of our core style tenets at Primer is to consciously invest in nicer versions of the pieces you wear the most. If you’re a hoodie man looking for something with a little more refinement than your usual go-to this cashmere waffle knit hoodie is a brilliant upgrade.
Layer it over a tee or under a jacket, and you’ve got a versatile piece that brings both warmth and character to any outfit. The bold plaid patterns aren’t just eye-catching—they’re a nod to 70 years of style that’s as at home in the city as it is on a weekend getaway.
Strap on your favorite chunky boots and your go-to fall shirt and jacket combo and you’ve got yourself a smart casual outfit that’ll rock you all the way to winter.
When we talk about “texture,” in an outfit that doesn’t necessarily mean intricate and heavy knits. The super-smooth Italian merino wool on this pullover sweater is perfect for fall temps and looks effortlessly refined. I like this one because of the larger, button-less collar that feels retro but not costume-y.
What exactly is a chore coat? First and foremost, the name is your biggest clue. Popular during the first half of the 1900s, the lightweight chore coat was born out of France and exclusively made to protect laborers and artists by creating a tough barrier on top of clothing, typically work overalls.
Chore coats featured oversized pockets (at least one spacious chest pocket and even larger hip pockets) for the tools of their respective trades, and they were generously cut so as not to impede movement. Materials typically included cotton canvas or thick cotton twill fabric in a blue hue with large buttons rather than zippers, which required more dexterity and focus to operate. The fabric could be cut and sewn together quickly since drape and fit weren’t exactly priorities.
One of its most iconic iterations is the French “bleu de travail,” literally translating to “work blue.” Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during France’s period of rapid industrialization, this classic French work jacket was initially a staple among agricultural and industrial workers. Crafted from durable cotton twill or moleskin, its blue color was practical for disguising stains and dirt that came with a hard day’s work. The garment gained popularity for its durability, comfort, and cost-effectiveness, becoming emblematic of the working class in France. Over time, the bleu de travail transcended its utilitarian origins to become a symbol of French working-class culture and has even found its way into contemporary fashion. Yet, at its core, the bleu de travail remains a tribute to the labor and craftsmanship that it was originally designed to serve.
When the chore coat came to the States in 1923, it expanded beyond the blue French workwear coloring for more neutral tan, brown tones, and was crafted for the American railroad worker. In fact, the iconic striped “train” coat you’ve seen in old movies and period pieces is a chore coat in a uniquely American fabric known as wabash.
Carhartt was the first one that took a stab at creating an icon and went ahead and crafted one with copper rivets and triple stitching for strength. A flannel lining was later added for warmth, a necessity in the colder climes and work environments.
In recent years, the bleu de travail has also gained a following among painters, artists, and other craftspeople, who value its functional design and pockets for conveniently holding tools and materials.
Some might confuse the chore coat with the field jacket, which we’ve covered extensively, and that’s understandable since both are casual and practical while imparting a rugged style. The chore coat is traditionally unlined and wasn’t meant to act as a layer of insulation but rather a light protective layer, while field jackets may be unlined or lined.
Original field jackets were military-spec, and they were not as baggy as chore coats and typically had a standing collar and flap pockets with snap closures, while chore coats could employ notch-lapel or point collars and had large open patch pocket. Occasionally, a chest flap pocket was used. Modern interpretations of the chore coat run the gamut of materials and still use traditional denim, waxed cotton, canvas, and even boiled wool. The versions are myriad, and you’ll also see chore coats called “engineer coats”, which is another very similar permutation. The chore coat was never meant as a fashion statement, but like the venerable work boot, it’s evolved into a key member of workwear style that’s prevalent today.
They also tend to be cut slimmer today, though boxier versions are still popular. The key is to find the cut and material that works for you. If you’re on the job as a contractor, factory worker, tradesman or artist, go for the roomier cut. If it’s hitting the pub on a crisp day, opt for a narrower cut for a more put-together style pallet. And rather than scour the web for the best choices, we’ve assembled 11 of the best chore coats to suit your look or your occupation.
Unlocking the potential of the chore coat in a contemporary setting is less about rigid fashion rules and more about embracing its innate versatility. As a modern guy, you’re constantly juggling different roles—be it the casual weekend warrior, the nine-to-five professional, or the spontaneous adventurer. The chore coat seamlessly fits into all these scenarios, serving as a sartorial Swiss Army knife in your wardrobe. Whether layered over a crisp dress shirt for a smart casual office environment or thrown over a tee for a laid-back vibe, this jack-of-all-trades outerwear piece effortlessly elevates any outfit. It’s a style buy that pays dividends in adaptability and ease.
As an outer layer on a sweater and t-shirt
Not surprisingly, the chore coat makes for a great, well, lightweight jacket. Here Primer contributor Daniel Baraka expertly pairs blues across 3 layers for a modern and useful outfit. See more in Live Action Getup: Spring Layers.
As a modern alternative to a blazer
If your office is on the casual side of business casual, as in, you don’t want to wear a blazer but sometimes just a tucked in shirt isn’t enough or too plain, a cotton chore coat makes a great stand-in. Between this and an unstructured blazer one of the most notable differences is just the lack of a traditional blazer’s notch lapel. The result is a look that feels like an intentional layer but not dressy.
As an alt for a denim trucker jacket
When many say “denim jacket” what they really mean is a denim trucker jacket, but there are lots of great denim jackets that aren’t truckers and lots of great truckers that aren’t denim. A denim chore coat offers a distinctive departure without feeling out of place in day-to-day life.
In a casual outfit as an alternative to a shirt jacket or sweater
When it comes to the generally limited options of everyday men’s style, having one more is always welcome. If you regularly wear flannels, shirt jackets, or shawl collar cardigans and are looking for an alternative either just for a visual change up or for a difference in weight, a chore coat makes an effortless swap.
Keeping things visually consistent with the chore coat’s origins is always welcomed, and this take from Spier & MacKay details why this European classic has quickly become a modern menswear staple. This traditionally cut chore coat in 100% linen features spacious exterior and interior pockets for easy access, the cut is roomy, and the big buttons ensure ease of use.
When it comes to menswear, we love a great corduroy piece. This versatile jacket features a traditionally charming spread collar and button front, and the patch chest pocket and front patch pockets offer convenient storage with a nod to the vintage workwear aesthetics. Crafted from 100% cotton for a soft, durable finish, the boxier silhouette means more room throughout the chest for an easy fit.
Made in San Francisco of legacy American-made Cone Mills Denim, Tellason’s denim chore coat is just as drool-worthy as their famed jeans. Made of 14 oz non-sanforized selvedge denim, this classic design represents a stylish non-trucker denim jacket.
Lucky Brand Four Pocket Cotton Jacket, $42
A deal find that likely won’t last long, this chore coat from Lucky, most known for their jeans, hits all the classic chore coat cues, with the four front pockets and all cotton construction.
The mall department store brand’s budget-friendly interpretation of the chore coat combines old school silhouette with 2% elastane for modern comfort. The large buttons and point collar also retain the customary chore coat look.
Count on the iconic American jeans brand to come out with a minimalist but handsome version of the chore coat. This coat is the perfect layer for microclimates, with a mid-weight feel to the fabric. The rugged silhouette features a fold down collar and three front pockets to bring together form and function to this signature style.
The Ojai jacket embodies just about everything we love about a modern chore jacket because it honors tradition while adding style and versatility points without deviating from what made the chore coat so great to begin with. Pre-washed and properly faded 8-oz. 100% organic cotton is soft, and the Ojai’s cut is just the right amount of roomy. It all gets punctuated with slick black ring-buttons that use real brass, bar-tacked pockets, and double stitching all over. Getting it dirty and faded will only add to its character, but we’re guessing you’ll take really good care of it.
This navy denim version embodies traditional chore coat style, rugged materials, and American craftsmanship. The thick 12oz. Cotton duck fabric jacket is crafted in Bristol, Tennessee, and the style features pewter riveted seams and pockets with big pewter buttons and beautiful white contrast threading. There’s a simple single interior pocket, and button cuffs to roll back. It’s unlined, roomy, and versatile for both work and play.
When it comes to balancing the time-honored design of a chore coat with modern sensibilities, Everlane’s Organic Cotton Barn Jacket sets the bar high. Crafted from 100% organic cotton, this garment presents an eco-conscious choice that doesn’t skimp on quality. Featuring a distinctive corduroy collar, patch pockets with flaps, and sleeves that are meant to be cuffed to reveal more corduroy, this jacket combines practical features with a sophisticated look. Traditional patch detailing at the shoulders and elbows not only enhances durability but also adds a touch of vintage charm. Pair it with your favorite jeans or chinos, and you have a look that’s timeless yet distinctly your own.
Coming from one of our favorite men’s clothing brands, Todd Snyder, their premium Japanese selvedge denim chore coat is an upgrade piece you’ll love for years. This modern take retains the classic silhouette with its crisp lines and easy fit, featuring three functional patch pockets. The standout feature is its lightweight 11.5 oz denim sourced from Takhiyo in Japan. This coat is versatile enough to pair with just about anything making it a standout piece for any wardrobe.
The uncompromising craftsmanship of the ASKET Overshirt is what elevates this workwear piece to a more sophisticated and intentional wardrobe staple. The military grade fabric is tailored from 100% organic cotton which is then gently washed down to eliminate shrinkage, and the finish is an amazing soft handfeel that you are going to love wearing. Three spacious front pockets honor the rugged utility of this straight cut, classic style.
Easy mix and match outfit building with a denim jacket.
In 1873, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss inadvertently forever changed fashion and pop culture by patenting a pair of sturdy work pants made from indigo cotton corduroy, reinforced with copper rivets. Blue jeans, as they’ve come to be known, have become such a universal symbol of casual style it’s hard to imagine what the last 100 years would look like without them.
As denim’s popularity grew, it quickly extended beyond jeans to create another wardrobe essential: the jean jacket. First introduced by Levi’s around 1880, the jean jacket has since become a cornerstone of effortless style, valued for its simplicity and ease in pulling together outfits.
Jean jackets are a wardrobe staple for good reason – their decades-old, straightforward design makes them incredibly easy to wear, no matter the occasion. Whether you’re dressing down with a t-shirt and jeans or layering it over a sweater for cooler days, a jean jacket instantly adds a touch of casual cool to your look.
What you think of when you hear “jean jacket” is actually a specific style, that originated as the Levi’s Type III Trucker Jacket, introduced in the 1960s. The Type III, known for its cropped, waist-length cut, slim tailored fit, chest pockets with pointed flaps, and iconic “V” stitching, represents a more specific style within the broader jean jacket category but there are other styles that can work just as effectively, like my denim chore coat in a few of the outfits below.
The best part about denim jackets, like their blue jean cousins, is that nearly every brand in every price range makes one. Like the simple t-shirt or chino, the jean jacket is classic style democratized.
To help you make the most of your jean jacket, we’ve created an outfit “swipe file” featuring our favorite jean jacket looks from Primer over the years.
If you’re new to the concept, a swipe file is a curated collection of ideas or examples that you can save and refer to whenever you need inspiration. Originally used in advertising and design, swipe files have become a handy tool for organizing creative ideas across various fields.
→ In this case, it’s a collection of jean jacket outfit ideas that you can keep in an album on your phone, Pin to a style board on Pinterest, or organize in a more elaborate system with a tool like Notion or Evernote for easy reference. Whereas a moodboard is intended to visualize an overall feeling of a style in total, a swipe file is designed to be used individually as a template.
These outfits can be recreated exactly as shown, but they’re also meant to be flexible starting points—whether you’re experimenting with color combinations, layering techniques, new fits, or specific pieces to pair with your jean jacket.
Jean Jackets Over T-Shirts:
Resin rinse denim trucker jacket over olive henley worn with light gray jeans and tan suede boots
A denim chore coat over a cream t-shirt with loose green chinos
There are two voices in the men’s style world. One is that fashion is really hard and it takes dedication and a passion for the art form to get it right. The other is that dressing well is incredibly easy, all you have to know is the basics and you’ll be the best dressed man in the room.
But any guy who has, well, ever worn clothing, knows there’s another, frustrating aspect: Practicality.
You’re doing your best, you bought the thing that people said was good. But either because of your line of work, lifestyle, or unique body, something about your style is obstructing instead of doing its job—make you look and feel damn good, then be out of the way as you get on with your day.
You’re not alone, in fact, based on all the talking about men’s style I do with guys, it’s more the norm than the outlier.
So today I’m running down some specific style picks that address common frustrations Primer readers and friends have reached out about. These include struggling to look presentable in a job that requires a lot of moving around, options for sizes outside of the frustratingly narrow scale found at most stores, and more.
Nice-ish Business Casual Work Pants for Guys Who Move A Lot for Their Job, Get Hot, But Don’t Want to Wear Shorts or Hiking Pants
Take for example, my friend Eric who had an issue I’ve heard multiple times from Primer readers. Eric was wrestling with finding work attire that was practical and kept him presentable. Eric is the co-founder of a business that builds testing equipment for the aerospace industry. On any given day, he could be in a 90 degree airplane hanger wrestling heavy gear, running cables, troubleshooting over here and over there – and then have to give a presentation to the client in a boardroom an hour later.
“I need to work and not overheat, have some stretch, but have a fit that is intentional enough that I can still throw it on with a button down and not look like I’m wearing hiking pants,” he told me.
The find he’s been most happy with is the Free Radikl pant from Khul, which are technical pants offering stretch, reinforced construction, lightweight and quick-drying – and come in a modern, tailored fit without the zippers and pockets of many similar options on the market.
Stylish Pants for Guys with Inseams Longer Than 34
Men who wear larger sizes have always struggled to find options. But our tall, slim brethren perhaps have had it harder than most.
It’s true that common stores like J.Crew and Banana Republic offer an inseam length as long as 36 in some styles but only for larger waist sizes.
Stillman takes a 36 inseam
For guys like me who prefer an awkward 29-29.5 inseam, it’s annoying, but at least I can pay someone to remove fabric. If you need anything in an inseam longer than 34 that isn’t also accommodating a higher waist size, you can’t just pay a tailor to sew on extra denim to the bottom. (I mean, I guess they’d take your money, but I wouldn’t recommend the outcome.)
Stillman Brown is the perfect example of this. At 6’7”, Stillman’s 36 inseam makes one of the foundational requirements of participating in society – wearing pants – a significant challenge. “Levi’s has it for some, but it ruined pants shopping for me for a long time,” he told me.
Fortunately, in the last couple of years there have been more options than ever for taller guys. Recently when we were hanging out he told me about some new brands he’s come across. One is American Tall – it’s essentially a Banana Republic aesthetic and price but for guys 6’ to 7’1” (and women up to 6’6”).
So If you need a smart casual pair of stretch chinos in a 32×40 or a budget-friendly $129 pair of suede boots in size 16, now there’s a place to look.
PRIMER PARTNER
Underwear That Actually DOES Something
If you’re a guy that has to move a lot, the struggle of heat and chafing is real. From sweat to irritation to honest-to-goodness medical problems – the external male anatomy wasn’t designed for an extended lifespan cooped up in pants.
And while every iteration of the modern under garment, from boxers to briefs to boxer briefs, has been an attempt to silo those parts of the body from the legs, all were half measures with flaws of their own.
If there’s one type of guy that would know this alarmingly well, it’s a US Army veteran doing two tours in Iraq in 2007:
“I was under extremely hot conditions and all I wanted was a pair of underwear with a pouch or pocket to separate my balls to keep them from sticking to my legs. The male groin generates more heat than any other part of the body. Similar to the skull and the armpits. I had a hat and sleeves but my balls were out of control,” Robert Patton told Primer in 2017.
The undefeatable temperatures, heavy gear, and inherent stress meant life was a sweaty, chafed disaster. The soldier-turned-inventor got to work with the supplies he had on hand in the desert, fashioning his first prototype of the pouch underwear that would be the foundation of his eventual raving success, Sheath:
Patton’s first prototype, created in Iraq
Now 17 years later, Sheath is the official underwear of the UFC, relied upon by world-class fighters, Olympians, and law enforcement; and Inc. Magazine labeled the company one of the 100 fastest growing veteran-owned businesses in the United States. From that initial makeshift prototype, Patton’s Sheath brand now offers 5 versions, including single or dual pouches, differing lengths, material options like modal or bamboo, and a palette of colors and patterns.
I can personally vouch for them. I still have pairs from 2017(!) in my rotation because they’re in great condition. I was initially skeptical of how comfortable this could possibly be but they really do work as advertised. You completely forget you’re wearing anything different – except for the lack of swampiness and chafing. I didn’t recognize how beneficial the extra support was until I actually wore them.
Fortunately, you don’t have to take my word for it. Sheath offers a no-questions-asked 100% refund on your first pair, and a 6-month manufacturer warranty on defective items, plus Primer readers get an extra 20% off their first order.
Sunglasses for Low Nose Bridges
Stephen reached out to me frustrated about sunglasses. As he’s gotten more into developing his own personal style, he’s taken to the plastic sunglass frames common in a more refined aesthetic, but none of the ones he’s tried fit right.
“Every pair I’ve tried looks good for about 60 seconds but they always end up sliding down my face and sit on my cheeks,” he told me, “I’ve always been an aviator guy just because I can pinch the nose pads to force them to fit.”
The plastic acetate-style of sunglasses use the shape of the bridge, versus adjustable nose pads on metal styles like aviators, to hold them in place. So if you have a low nose bridge, there’s just no way these things are gonna stay up.
Fortunately, mainstream framemakers have started addressing this frustration. Brands like Warby Parker, Maui Jim, and Ray-Ban make acetate frames with wider, or in some cases, adjustable nose bridges so they stay put and don’t sit on your cheeks. Look for terms like “low nose bridge sunglasses” or “Asian fit sunglasses”.
Chinos for Guys Who Carry Things in Their Pockets (Everyone)
You know, we gave the old guys a hard time for their belt clip phone holders but at least they were doing something about a terribly annoying problem: Pants with side pockets like every pair of chinos, khakis, and dress pants cause your $1,000 smartphone to fall out CONSTANTLY.
We all smirked yet provided no alternative.
The Dockers Ultimate Chino is not only a budget-friendly, comfortable work pant that is widely available, it also features a sneaky hidden zip pocket right next to to the side pocket so you can keep your phone or keys or whatever else you want to haul without the risk of it sliding out every time you sit down.
It’s completely unnoticeable while zipped up and the pants can easily be worn dressed up or down.
Nicer Summer Shoes to Replace Boat Shoes
Connor messaged me with a plea more from his wife than him, “I grew up on the east coast but have lived with my wife in Ohio for 10 years. Every date night gets my go-to boat shoe treatment. She has been politely nudging me for years to get something a little less dock-ready.”
For some areas the boat shoe is akin to a white sneaker: It’s a perfectly acceptable uniform regardless of where you go. If you’re looking for something a little more refined, I’ve got just the thing, and for your part, you won’t even notice a difference.
Swapping your boat shoe for a suede loafer will give you the same summer comfort you’re used to but give off a little bit more of a dressy vibe. The right pair can still be worn with jeans and even in cooler temperatures, making them just as versatile as your go-to.
Dress Pants That Aren’t Dry Clean Only
Dress pants are usually made out of wool because of inherent temperature properties, ability to maintain shape, natural wrinkle resistance, and its ability to be woven in a variety of textures giving it a sophisticated look and feel.
Unfortunately, wool dress pants are typically labeled as “dry clean only” because the material can easily shrink, distort, or become felted if exposed to water and agitation. Linings and interfacing can also be damaged by regular machine washing.
“I have to wear dress pants almost every day of the week but I hate that I have to pay to have them cleaned so often,” Primer reader Jeremy lamented in a conversation we were having. My recommendation is textured cotton pants. The ones I’m wearing here are from Bonobos, and brands usually offer them in the fall. The benefit is since they’re cotton, they’re machine washable.
While not quite the same level of dressiness since they lack the fine, shiny weave of the dress pants, I’d argue they’re pretty interchangeable in a modern context for all but the dressiest situations. For a different option that’s currently available in a bunch of colors, check out the Weekday Warrior from Bonobos.
What are your solves for your clothing frustrations? Chat with me in the comments!
Hit the streets with practical style straight from Amazon. This Getup is about keeping it real with pieces that last: a sturdy pea coat for the chill, a thick crew neck for comfort, and jeans that look good while standing up to daily wear. The chunky Chelsea boots are a no-brainer for quick slips on and off, and the watch? It’s just solid, everyday gear. It’s all about making your day easier, with reliable finds that deliver, because who’s got time for anything less?
Think of this outfit as your utility player—it’s adaptable while being enduring; classic without being boring; modern without being flashy. The pea coat‘s sharp silhouette give structure, so keep it buttoned for form or open for a more laid-back vibe.
For the sweater, let it be the pop of color; no need for loud knits when the texture does the talking. Play with the basics to strike that personal style note, like a pop of the collar, a cuff of the sleeve or a half-tuck of the sweater, to keep things interesting but easy.
Layering here is more than just practical; it’s a stylistic maneuver. The white t-shirt beneath the sweater isn’t just a fallback for when the temp rises—it peeks out at the collar, adding a layer of casual intent. Plus you get the benefit of skin-to-comfy tee instead of sweater.
As for the boots, they’re practical with a cult-like reputation. Slip on, slip off. I wear a pair of chunky Chelseas for at least part of the day several days a week.
The key is versatility—each piece can stand alone or work together.
→ Did you know? The classic pea coat traditionally features eight buttons on the front—they’re large, distinctive, and often carry the insignia of naval forces. This design choice dates back to the 19th century, serving both a functional and symbolic purpose in maritime history. These days pea coats often have six.
Outfit Occasion Suitability
For casual offices, this is a solid go-to uniform with a rugged and classic edge, and it keeps it casual for evenings and weekends too, whether that’s seeing Mission Impossible with the boys or a low key date at a coffee shop or restaurant bar. For many family obligations, this also fits the bill perfectly.
Seasonal Revisions
As spring enters, you can lose the sweater and keep the coat for a lighter weight, albeit even more rugged look. Or, drop the pea coat and keep the sweater. Other, lighter jacket options like a non-denim trucker jacket or a leather jacket also pair with the rest of this outfit seamlessly. Going for a shirt jacket gives you a vibe similar to the outfit I wore most of holiday break:
For a more polished/dressier look, switch the jeans with chinos or even dress pants that can play more casual. The boots can be swapped for minimalist smart casual sneakers or upgraded to dress shoes. The goal is being able to mix in one or two polished pieces to elevate the whole deal without going full-on formal.
You don’t HAVE to tell anyone how comfortable it is.
This outfit is your secret weapon for looking sharp without skimping on comfort. You’ve got the simplicity of a fleece jacket paired with the traditional structure of a button up but made of soft knit, all while the tri-blend tee and sneakers keep things laid-back. Slide into these refined stretch Italian chinos and strap on a Timex with classic Rolex vibes, and you’ve crafted an ensemble that’s low-key luxe. It’s a polished, casual look that doesn’t just say you’ve got it all together—it feels like it too.
Aesthetic: Heritage Meets Modern
Outfit Styling Tips
The outfit’s vibe is cool, effortless, and unmistakably sharp. It’s the kind of smart casual mix for a guy who wants to look put together but needs to feel comfortable. It’s not about the pieces themselves but how they come together to form a look that’s both casual and refined. The clean lines of the tab chinos combined with the high-tops balance the more chameleon-like top 3 layers. It’s an outfit that works as a whole because it’s all about balance: sharp but not stiff, relaxed but not sloppy, utilizing a color hierarchy to bring it all together.
Outfit Occasion Suitability
This style works for those days that blend leisure with a touch of necessity—think brunch dates, casual Fridays, or a relaxed evening out. It’s smart without being stuffy, making it ideal for places where you want to look put-together yet approachable. It has you covered for most semi-casual settings where making a good impression is key, but so is comfort.
Seasonal Revisions
When the weather warms up, you can lose the fleece jacket, or ditch the shirt and go for a jacket of either color. In cooler or wetter months, consider layering with a thermal underneath the tee, or switch the sneakers for boots to keep the chill at bay. The versatility of the chinos means they work year-round, just adjust your top layer and footwear to match the season.
This outfit works as a solid base to go either more casual (ditch the green shirt), or dressier (lose the t-shirt, add a shawl collar sweater, and swap loafers or nice boots for the sneakers). To go really casual, drop the chinos for your favorite jeans.
Two classic military heritage coats that are not interchangeable.
While the trench coat and pea coat are both timeless outerwear designed to protect from the elements, each have their own unique aesthetic, history, and functional purposes and, in general, are not interchangeable either from a style stand point or utility stand point.
Pea Coat
(Also spelled peacoat without the space.)
Origin:
The pea coat has a rich naval history going back to the 18th century, originally worn by sailors and seamen in European navies. The name pea coat is believed to be a “calque,” or phonetic borrowing, from the Dutch word “pij” which referred to a course woolen cloth.
Design:
A predominant difference between pea coats and trench coats are their length and material. Pea coats end just below the hips or no longer than mid-thigh, whereas trench coats extend beyond the knee.
Pea coats, while not exclusively, are almost always made of wool or a synthetic blend that mimics the texture and thickness of wool.
Pea coats have a felt-like touch and texture
The pea coat’s design is visually defined by its double-breasted front closure. A double-breasted coat or jacket features two parallel vertical columns of buttons with an overlapping front flap, providing a distinctive and formal appearance.
The pea coat design has been losing buttons since World War I, where they often had 10, later 8, and now usually 6. The buttons of a pea coat are large and substantive, likely to aid in fastening during inclement weather while wearing gloves. Buttons are nowadays usually black, but some more naval-inspired coats may have gold ones.
Due to their naval heritage, it should be no surprise that traditional pea coats are navy blue, though contemporary versions can be had in almost any color or material.
→ Fun fact: The US Navy began phasing out the peacoat in 2018, replacing it with a black synthetic parka.
The trench coat was an evolution of a 19th century raincoat known as a Mackintosh or ‘mac’ coat. The trench coat’s design is often credited to Thomas Burberry – yes, of that Burberry – who invented the water-resistant gaberdine fabric. While waxed canvas is canvas coated with wax after it is knit, gaberdine is a finely knit wool or twill knit from waxed threads.
The resulting coat was a lighter, more practical option for World War I officers in the trenches, thus the name.
A trench coat has a smoother texture than a pea coat
→ Fun fact: Superman’s cape, as played by Christopher Reeve, was also made of gaberdine.
Design:
Trench coats are long, extending to the knees or even lower, and are made of gaberdine, as mentioned, or other similar water-resistant fabrics and blends in modern versions. They can be either single or double breasted, and feature an iconic waist belt, massive lapels, shoulder epaulettes, and a “storm flap” over the right shoulder to direct water away from the body.
Trench coats most famously come in “1930s Detective Tan” and “Not-so-popular in School Black“.
Core Competency:
Protection from precipitation and wind.
Pea Coat vs Trench Coat Comparison
Function: A pea coat is predominantly a fall and winter coat with the goal of keeping the wearer warm. A trench coat is generally a spring coat intended to protect the wearer from heavy wind and rain.
Style: Both coats are classic menswear choices steeped in military history and heritage, and both can be worn by well-dressed men in both casual and more dressed-up scenarios. However, the trench coat can be more challenging to pull off day-to-day for novices, especially outside of rainy spring days, whereas every guy from the leading moving actors to even the most poorly dressed schlub can wear a pea coat effortlessly. For this reason, the entry-level style option is the pea coat.
It took a while—and over 1000 runway images—to finally wrap our heads around the contents of fashion month. For the first time in a long time, the runways this fall/winter season had an almost tangible air of newness to them, with a handful of designer debuts—including Daniel Lee at Burberry and Ludovic de Saint Sernin at Ann Demeulemeester—and a number of veterans successfully refreshing their brands in the eyes of the fashion community. Most substantial, though, were the trends presented by these designers and so many more, who managed to deliver some of the most unexpected groupings we’ve seen in ages that somehow still fit within the current zeitgeist.
Tory Burch, Miuccia Prada for Prada and Miu Miu, Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent, and Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta all seemed to grasp what so many have tried and failed to in the past—that is, what women actually wear. In a relatable move, Prada sent models down the runway at Miu Miu looking intentionally frazzled, having remembered to wear stockings and outerwear but forgotten pants and a hairbrush.
Elsewhere, Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent collection displayed a contrasting glimpse of the female form, one that’s strict in its put-togetherness, utilizing intensely strong tailoring and powerful silhouettes to get his message across. Finally, at Loewe, Ferragamo, and Jil Sander, our desire for comfort played out in the form of furry footwear, fashionable security blankets, and apparel fitted with oversize hoods.
Determine which of the above fits your current mindset by scrolling through the nine trends from the fall/winter 2023 runways below.
