Overcoats for boys

From classic macs to practical parkas and designer duffels, here we explain how to select the best winter coats.

The Mac

The Mac is the most versatile coat. It is smart enough for the office, sexy enough for a date and convenient for business travel.

“It is so easy to wear for men. It is perfect for that short walk from home to office, or at the airport,” says Veronique Henderson, co-author of the book Image Matters for Men.

You don’t have to spend the earth: A Marks & Spencer’s version may well be as smart as its more expensive counterparts. If you do invest in a designer version, don’t dry-clean it – the process removes the proof that repels rainwater. Instead, send it back to the manufacturer, who should clean and reproof it for you.

The Office Coat

It is difficult to find a formal coat that stands out from those of every other male in the office. However, just getting the right cut for your shape, and colour for your environment, can make all the difference to finding a look that is sufficiently smart and discreet.

Single-breasted overcoats are the easiest style to wear: a belted or double-breasted coat will increase the bulk around your waist (double-breasted = double the amount of fabric). Make sure that your work coat is three-quarter-length (a pea coat, which is one that stops at the hips, will make your legs look like a pair of sticks poking out underneath). You also need the coverage in case it rains. To make your overcoat more interesting, opt for a contrasting colour or a paisley print on the lining, or wear a colourful scarf.

The Casual Coat

Weekend coats are naturally more casual and hardwearing than their weekday counterparts: they have to endure country pursuits or greater exposure to city grime. Shorter jackets are thus more practical, being less cumbersome.

Quilted jackets are returning to favour with designers. They may have had a huntin’-shootin’-fishin’ stigma once but, if you eschew the leaf-green shade and opt for navy or black, the impression is more subtle. Henderson advises that you avoid wearing corduroy trousers with them, so as not to look “pompous”.

Casual coats should be lighter than overcoats. The parka is the coat of the moment, but make sure it is good quality. A waterproof material is essential, and opt for a padded parka for added warmth.

The Duffel

The duffel coat bridges the gap between casual and smart casual. “It’s perfect for the creative, for those guys who don’t want to conform to the formal look,” says Henderson. It evokes a school uniform, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing – wearing a duffel implies youth and boyish vigour. It is also extremely practical: the hood gives protection from the rain, its warmth will see you through the bitterest winter and the toggles are an interesting feature, and easy to fasten.

This article was adapted from an article on Timesonline, originally compiled by Nicola Copping.