In contemporary menswear, long coats have truly stood the test of time. Not only have they been worn for centuries, but they have had an enormous impact on all outerwear.
Back when Scottish chemist Charles Macintosh created the mac in 1823, it was the first-ever raincoat, arguably making him the founding father for all those obsessed with watching the water bead from their GORE-TEX jackets.
Then you have the trench coat which accompanied armies during WW1 and WW2, the lapelled overcoat which has remained part of the uniform for formal occasions since the late 18th century, and the parka, a more recent addition that has gone from being essential to fight against the Canadian arctic to being essential for Oasis fanboys.
This rich history makes pretty much any long coat a wardrobe staple, entrenched so deeply in fashion history that it is relatively immune to passing trends.
But, that hasn't stopped designers from getting experimental.
Whether it's switching out heavy wool for technical nylon or adding Joy Division artwork (as Raf Simons did for the now-iconic AW03 parka jackets) labels from Stüssy to Hermes and everyone in between has their own take on a long coat.
For this winter, we have picked out our favorite long coats, separated by style, for you to shop. Check them out below.
Scroll down to find the best long coats for 2022
The best overcoats
Starting with the most generic of the styles, any long coat which can easily be thrown over more layers can be an overcoat, but here we're mostly talking about those with a lapel.
A more formal option, coats like this look most in their element when worn over a suit, but if that's not your style then just flick through some of the highly-popular Aime Leon Dore lookbooks for some more unconventional styling inspiration. Teddy Santis' label has proven there's nothing you can't style with an overcoat.
Dolphin Coat
Our Legacy
Starting off with a traditional overcoat style, Our Legacy once again proves it is an expert at producing wardrobe staples. This design is crafted from an Italian virgin wool and cashmere blend fabric and comes fully lined for when temperatures plummet.
Peaked Lapel Leather Coat
Lu'u Dan
Long leather jackets, like those from The Matrix (1999), are having a big renaissance — and if you don't believe us, just take a look at recent 'fits from Irina Shayk or The Weeknd.
Coat
KENZO
Part of NIGO's newly rejuvenated KENZO, the star of the show on this design is undoubtedly the fabric. A variegated wool gives the coat a distinctive two-tone effect.
Treat Cracked Leather Coat
Diesel
Not your typical long leather coat, this one just got distressed thanks to Diesel — which has made this design using pre-cracked supple sheepskin leather.
The best mac coats
As previously mentioned, the mac was a feat of modern technology when it was first created — finally, someone had managed to create a waterproof jacket and it was done through rubber dissolved in coal-tar naphtha.
Today, things are a bit different. Outdoor labels such as Arc'teryx fulfill the role of making us gawp at waterproof technologies, and the mac has become a classic jacket style that can be used across the spectrum from smart to casual looks.
Contrast Mac Jacket
Highsnobiety
From our recent collection, the classic mac is given an upgrade through the matte nylon-blend fabric and white contrast stitching. Coming in either black or beige, the style joins our previous lightweight mac jackets in being a more water-resistant option to wool or cotton designs.
Rankle Coat
Dries Van Noten
A classic long, black mac, this is the type of versatile jacket that can slot into any wardrobe. But, if you're looking for something a bit more eye-catching Dries has a green printed version for you.
Oxford Bonded Trench Coat
MACKINTOSH
From the inventors of the mac, Mackintosh's Oxford coat is a display of expert craftsmanship. Handcrafted from start to finish by one of its artisans in Scotland, the brand's traditional working methods are rare to find in today's market.
Thousand Pyramids Coat
BODE
As is typical from BODE, a vintage find has informed the fabric of this coat. An antique quilt serves as the inspiration for its two-toned outer shell which is created using approximately 800 sewn triangles.
The best parka coats
When you speak about parkas you have to mention the Gallagher brothers, but there's a lot more to the style than the fame it found from rockstar endorsements.
First invented in Canada to deal with the country's blisteringly cold temperatures, the style would find itself as part of the military uniform thanks to its warmth-providing properties and oversized fit that could be thrown over a number of layers. If you're looking for a practical style to keep warm in, a Parka will do the job.
50 Fili Rubber Parka
C.P. Company
A seriously hard-wearing parka, this C.P. company jacket comes with a removable lining that can be worn by itself as a lightweight quilted jacket and is crafted from 50 fili: a nylon-cotton blend adopted from American field jackets, recognized as one of the most versatile fabrics in the brand’s catalog.
Padded Parka
Acne Studios
Featuring a soft teddy fabric lining, padded construction, and a durable polyester and nylon blend outer shell, this jacket has all the trimmings needed for a winter-ready jacket.
Fishtail Raincoat
RAINS
Rains uses its signature rubberized fabric to provide this classic fishtail silhouette with windproof and waterproof capabilities.
The best trench coats
As with so much of contemporary menswear, the backdrop to which the trench coat was invented was war. Although Burberry and Aquascutum haven't been able to decide who made the style first, what we do know is that after it was relieved of its duties in the trenches during WW1 it quickly started gaining fans elsewhere.
Once you had the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart wearing the style, the writing was on the wall for it to reach the iconic status it has today. The light-beige variations that those Hollywood stars wore remain the most recognizable, but that hasn't stopped designers from trying out different fabrics, fits and colors.
Wire Maxi Trench Coat
Y/Project
It's fair to say that Y-Project is not known for its subtle proportions, and the billowing sleeves on this coat only re-affirm that.
Layered Cotton Trench Coat
Maison Margiela
In true Margiela fashion, this isn't just the simple black belted trench coat you think it is at first glance. As is most prominently seen in the sleeves, where the outer jacket splits into two, there is a denim jacket underneath.
Tech Gabardine Sport Trench Coat
Balenciaga
Balenciaga takes things down a more sporty route with this knee-length coat, which comes in a fabric it is calling "tech gabardine."
Want to see more? Check out these long coats
Eternity Duffle Coat
Wales Bonner
A style that we have not yet mentioned, this duffel coat has a thick wool outer and cupro bemberg lining for full coverage from cold weather. It's time to channel your inner Paddington Bear according to Grace Wales Bonner.
Naslan Light Watro Down Coat
Stone Island
Top-of-the-range technical fabrics are Stone Island's bread and butter, so it comes as no surprise to see that this coat is crafted using durable abrasion-resistant fabric composed of mechanically spun nylon and a polyurethane resin coating.
Wool Duffel Coat
Our Legacy
This heavy-duty duffel comes complete with a dense Italian wool-blend melton fabric and a storm flap at the neck for high levels of protection from adverse weather.
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