The Best Wool Coats for Combating the Cold
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It’s happened to all of us: The temperatures plummet and we realize that our outerwear collection is seriously lacking. If you’re currently in this predicament, consider investing in a wool coat.
The best wool coats are what all the best clothing should be: functional and timelessly stylish. Wool coats are inherently functional because wool has built-in powers. It can keep you warm – even when it gets wet – and it isn’t bulky. But while wool coats are highly functional, it’s their classic style that’s kept them around for decades. Today, you can pair the best wool coats with just about anything, be it denim and a hoodie, a full three-piece suit or anything in between.
Because wool coats have been around for so long, finding the best piece for your taste and cold-weather needs can be tricky. Below are some shopping tips as well as our top choices for investment-worthy wool coats and a few jackets to buy in 2021.
Wool Coat Buying Guide
Style: Wool coats come in a few basic styles. Topcoats or overcoats are probably the most versatile with a button-up front and mid-thigh to knee length. Peacoats are the old-school choice, boasting a navy-inspired double-breasted design, high collar and fit that stops just below the waist. Another type of wool coat is the car coat, which usually ends around mid-thigh and has a slightly more lightweight build.
Fabric: Almost all wool coats are actually wool-blend coats, as designers will integrate other fabrics such as polyester, nylon, cotton or polyamide. This can help increase mobility and weatherproofing, although too many extra ingredients may drown out the luxuriousness of nice wool and make the coat feel cheap.
Fit: If you live in an especially cold area, opt for jackets with a slightly boxier fit for easier layering. If you live in a more temperate area, on the other hand, go for something with a flattering trim fit.
What Are the Best Wool Coats for Men?
1. A.P.C. Manteua Sacha Wool Blend Overcoat
This beige wool overcoat from A.P.C. is about as classic as they come. A.P.C. is known for simple, high-quality staples, and the Manteua Sacha overcoat is an example of A.P.C. at its best. Notched lapels and the knee-length, three-button front combine for a clean, no-frills look that goes with just about everything in your closet. The overcoat’s wool blend features 20 percent polyester and 10 percent nylon. These extra ingredients translate to a bit of stretch for comfort and mobility. It fits slim, which makes it wearable over thin sweaters, blazers or tees when the temperatures start to rise.
A.P.C. Manteua Sacha Wool Blend Overcoat, $665, available at Nordstrom
2. Schott NYC Melton Wool Blend Peacoat
Schott NYC might be best known for its iconic leather jackets, but this Melton peacoat proves it also makes some of the coolest wool coats. The peacoat features a double-breasted front, a large, notched-lapel collar and even anchor buttons. Water-resistance is upgraded with a 20 percent nylon, 80 percent wool fabric, while welt and flap pockets offer ample space for stashing a set of keys. Classic peacoats are fairly versatile, although we suggest pairing this one with more casual pieces such as boots and jeans.
Schott NYC Melton Wool Blend Peacoat, $465, available at Nordstrom
3. Theory Renew Wool Blend Coat
Not all the best wool coats are throwback pieces. This Renew wool coat from Theory is a great example of a wool coat that nails modern minimalism. Its stand-up collar, front button placket and upper-thigh length keep the silhouette streamlined and make the coat ideal for both dressy and casual occasions. The wool blend offers extra warmth, even without any layers underneath. Plus, the addition of nylon in the wool blend gives the coat better rain-resistance.
Theory Renew Wool Blend Coat, $357, available at Nordstrom
4. Barena Venezia Petrone Wool Plaid Double Breasted Coat
This bold wool coat from Italian brand Barena Venezia has a double-breasted front, peaked lapels and a plaid pattern, balancing classic style with a modern fit. The wool blend uses some cotton and polyamide, which keeps the thick jacket lighter and better in rain. We suggest pairing this one with dressy attire, although it’s also nice as a date-night statement with jeans and a tee.
Barena Venezia Petrone Wool Plaid Double Breasted Coat, $812, available at East Dane
5. Carhartt WIP Blue Check Detroit Vermont Jacket
We’re cheating a bit by including this wool Carhartt WIP jacket (it’s not quite a coat), but it’s too on-trend to resist. Workwear has dominated the fashion scene over the past year, and Carhartt has gone from workwear staple to street-style statement. The jacket is a casual go-to with a check pattern, spread collar and zip front. The fit is hip-length and a bit trim, making it great as a layering tool in winter or a spring and autumn transition piece.
Carhartt WIP Detroit Vermont Jacket, $378, available at End. Clothing
6. HUGO Wool Migor Coat
This Migor wool coat from HUGO makes a great outer layer for the winter but is still thin enough for use in the spring and autumn. The simple lines and gray color give it a slightly rugged look, but 81 percent virgin wool means the coat feels like the designer piece that it is. A three-button front, flap pockets at the waist and low-key notched lapels offer some straightforward, simple details. It’s quite versatile, so pair it with almost everything in your closet, but rock it with boots, black jeans and a button-up for best effect.
HUGO Wool Migor Coat, $275, available at SSENSE
7. Gucci Tan Wool Trench Coat
Trench coats are typically made of heavy-duty cotton, but Gucci used 100 percent wool to make this trench. The result is an extra-soft, luxurious feeling coat that’s sure to turn some heads. Although it features a classic trench silhouette, subtle upgrades including logo-engraved gold-tone hardware and a heavy, detachable cinch belt add some flair. As with anything Gucci, it’s a statement piece, so we suggest using it for nights out, to the office and, well, everywhere you go.
Gucci Tan Wool Trench Coat, $3,210, available at SSENSE
8. Canali Plaid Wool & Cashmere Top Coat
If you want to invest in a timeless top coat, check out this plaid option from Canali. As with most pieces from the Italian designer, the coat looks subtle yet incredibly luxurious. It’s made with a soft wool-cashmere blend, and it features a handsome, versatile plaid design so you can get more use out of it. It’s a surefire way to look great walking into any situation, from future meetings to dinners, but it’s also going to feel cozy as hell to wear.
Canali Plaid Wool & Cashmere Top Coat, $2,195, available at Nordstrom
9. Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket
When you’re looking for a heavy wool jacket that’ll never go out of style, you simply can’t go wrong with Filson’s warm wool cruiser jacket. It’s one of our editors’ favorite winter coats, featuring a water-resistant, 100-percent wool design and multiple interior and exterior pockets to store all the gear you need to carry when you’re on the go, whether that includes bulky gloves or your phone.