What You Should Know About Coats

A coat is the one layer that completes your outfit, protects you from cold weather, and adds a touch of style to any look.coats From warm winter coats to lightweight spring options and even dressy coats for special occasions, there is a perfect coat for every wardrobe. But with so many coats on the market, it can be hard to choose the best coat for your needs. We’ve analyzed reviews and tested the top-rated coats to help you find the right coat for your unique needs.

What’s the difference between a jacket and a coat?

A jacket is typically shorter, with a tailored fit and sometimes a button front.coats Coats, on the other hand, are longer, with a formal structure and warming fabrics like wool or cashmere. They can be closed with buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners (AKA velcro), toggles or belts, and often have collars and hoods as well.

The term “coat” is also used to refer to a heavier outer layer that’s worn over a shirt or t-shirt in the fall and winter months. It may have a stand-up collar, and a hemline that extends to the knee or thigh. For men, there is a distinction between a coat and an overcoat, but for women the terms are used interchangeably.

When you put on a coat, it raises the average temperature of your skin, particularly the exposed areas on your hands and face. When you go outdoors, your nervous system detects the lower air temperature and sends signals to a multi-sensory gate-keeper in the brain called the thalamus, which is what creates the sensation of feeling cold. Those signals then tell your body to divert blood away from those areas, but it can take a minute or so for that to happen. With your coat on, this initial drop in skin temperature is less pronounced because the coat acts as an insulator and reduces heat loss from your skin.

Coats can also help you maintain your body’s core temperature when you go outside, especially if it is windy or rainy. The lining inside the coat traps warm air, keeping you toasty in the elements. A coat can also be a great layering piece, providing extra warmth underneath sweaters and dresses.

With a brushed-lining hood for cozy hands, fold-up reflective strips for visibility, and a waterproof seam-taped zipper, the Helly Hansen Constant jacket earns our top pick for a warm winter coat. It is also made from fabrics that are bluesign certified to limit its impact on the environment. It’s a great choice if you live in an area that gets snowy and icy in the winter. Emily Hochberg is a travel writer who frequently covers clothing, products and outdoor gear. She grew up in the northeast and has been skiing all her life, so she knows what it takes to keep warm—and stylish! Her closet is full of peacoats, overcoats, down puffers and insulated ski parkas. She has spent several years researching, evaluating and testing coats for T+L, and her favorite outerwear item is a well-worn peacoat.