What is the Difference Between Peacoat and Trench Coat

The main difference between peacoat and trench coat is their design. Peat coats are short, double-breasted coats made of heavy woollen cloth while trench coats are long and loose coats with belts at the hip and are made of waterproof material.

Peacoats and trench coats are popular and versatile outwear you can wear for both casual and professional looks. Both typically have a double-breasted style and are worn by both men and women.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Peacoat 
     – Definition, Features, Design
2. What is a Trench Coat
     – Definition, Features, Design
3.What are the Similarities Between Peacoat and Trench Coat
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Peacoat and Trench Coat
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Peacoat, Trench Coat

What is a Peacoat

A peacoat is a short, double-breasted overcoat made of coarse woollen cloth. Originally, peacoats were worn by sailors of European and American navies. Therefore, peacoats were usually made in navy colour. Today, however, both men and women wear peacoats in different colours and styles. In fact, they are popular and versatile outwear or winterwear you can wear for both casual and professional looks.

If we look at the cut and style of coat, peacoats usually have double-breasted fronts and broad lapels with wooden, plastic or metal buttons and slash or vertical pockets. Single-breasted coats are also available. Moreover, peacoats have a shorter length (usually extend to the thigh), allowing greater freedom of movement. Another main feature of peacoats is that they are made of heavy wool.

What is a Trench Coat

A trench coat is a long, loose double-breasted coat with a belt. It is usually made from a waterproof material such as cotton gabardine. Since trench coats are long, they can cover almost the whole body. Some coats extend to the shin while some extend to ankles. Like peacoats, they are worn by both men and women and can be worn for a professional or casual look.

Trench coats were traditionally a part of military clothing. Originally, they were double-breasted with wide lapels, ten front buttons, and pockets that close with buttons. There is a belt at the waist and straps around the wrists. Trench coats also had shoulder straps that button-close. These features are due to its military history. Furthermore, khaki was the traditional colour for trench coats. However, modern trench coats are available in different colours.  

Similarities Between Peacoat and Trench Coat

• Both coats have a military origin.
• Peacoats and trench coats were traditionally double-breasted.

Difference Between Peacoat and Trench Coat

Definition

A peacoat is a short, double-breasted overcoat made of coarse woollen cloth while a trench coat is a long, loose double-breasted coat with a belt and is made of waterproof material.

Material

Peacoats are made of heavy wool cloth while trench coats are made of waterproof materials such as cotton gabardine.

Length

Moreover, peacoats extend to the thighs. Therefore, they are shorter than trench coats, which extend to the shin or ankle.

Belt

Peacoats do not have a belt while trench coats do.

Other Features

Peacoats usually have double-breasted fronts and broad lapels with wooden, plastic or metal buttons and slash or vertical pockets. Trench coats, on the other hand, have double-breasted fronts with ten buttons, wide lapels, pockets that button-close and a storm flap.

Colour

Navy is the traditional colour for peacoats while khaki is the traditional colour for trench coats.

Conclusion

Peat coats are short, double-breasted coats made of heavy woollen cloth while trench coats are long and loose coats with belts at the hip. Peacoats are made of heavy wool cloth while trench coats are made of waterproof materials such as cotton gabardine. Thus, this is the main difference between peacoats and trench coats.

Reference:

1. “Mens Coat Guide – How to Choose the Perfect Outwear Coat.” Hockerty, 12 Feb. 2020, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Blue Peacoat, Plaid Shirt, Red Jeans, Studded Loafers, & a Red Pixie Cut” By Jamie (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “1543507” (CC0) via Pxhere