Men's and Women's Wool and Cashmere Dress Coats
When heading to the opera or a formal affair, nothing tops off a tuxedo or gown like a sleek dress coat. From fur trims to luxurious cashmere, complete your look with a classically chic dress coat.
Find, Compare, and Buy a Formal Coat - Coat Links
Materials
The traditional fabric for dress coats is wool or wool blends. This provides a heavy, somber look as well as warmth.Gabardine is the wool of choice as it is water resistant without looking slick, is thin in texture, and drapes beautifully. Long coats of this material were introduced before World War One and became popular for the public by the 1950s. For a dressier look, try cashmere or camel hair, as both fabrics give off a slight sheen. Alternatively, herringbone tweed provides a more unique, though less formal, style.
Men's Dress Coats
A man's dress coat is characterized by its long length and the fact that it skirts only in the behind, as opposed to swirling around his whole body. Long coats were originally worn by upper class men and boys in England. The coats were black or navy and less formal styles were double breasted. They were worn for all occasions, even when young boys were going to school or playing outdoors. The velvet-trimmed collars we see today were originally worn out of sympathy for the elite peers who were persecuted in the French Revolution.The modern man's dress coat is cut to the knees and can be made of a range of fabrics. Black merino wool, cashmere, or cashmere blends are the most popular choices as they have a lustrous sheen and keep in body heat without being too heavy. For additional flair, velvet trims are still a great choice, as is colorful or patterned lining. Buttons are black and the pockets are usually nonexistent or limited to the inside of the coat. Beyond classic black, navy and tan are also great colors for dress coats. For tan coats, cashmere or camel hair are the ideal materials and for the neutral tones, same color or leather buttons are typical.
Women's Dress Coats
Fur trimmed collars are one way that women's dress coats are unique. The fur, faux or real, adds an extra touch of style and verve, and looks great with black or neutral tones. Women's dress coats are traditionally longer than the male equivalent, falling as far as the heels and dusting the floor - mainly to accommodate women's long, formal gowns. Another option unique to the women's long coats is the fit. While men's coats are straight all the way down, women's coats can be A-line (and essentially fall straight to the floor), fitted at the natural waist, or centered higher with an empire waist. The empire style provides a nostalgic look reminiscent of 19 th century England.
Copyright 2004-2010 S&T US LLC
©2004-2010 Wise4Living | Contact | Advertising Info | Legal | Privacy | Directory
