15 best men's peacoats that are equally classy and warm

The Schott Melton peacoat is everything you'd want in a traditional peacoat. It's warm, well-made, thoroughly handsome, and produced by a company that manufactured peacoats for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Hard to get more authentic than that. Schott makes its peacoat in the U.S. from a generous 32-ounce Melton wool blend with a choice of five colors. 

They've designed the jacket with a slim eight-button double-breasted front that accentuates the shoulders and included two handwarmer side pockets. The inside has two chest pockets and a quilted nylon lining for added warmth to get you through the roughest weather year after year.

The British label Private White V.C. handcrafts its clothing in Manchester's last remaining cotton mill and combines classic tailoring with beautiful details for a jacket that will last you a lifetime, especially since they offer a lifetime repair service.

They make The Peacoat from 100% Melton wool (a type of thick twill fabric) that's woven in England; and then add beautiful and thoughtful details like horn buttons (also made in England), an adjustable back belt, etched copper rivets, and two large inside zippered pockets. The Peacoat combines the best of old-world craftsmanship with contemporary style.

With a name like Old Navy, you'd hope the brand would make a peacoat, and indeed they do. I've had one for more than 10 years and besides having to resew a button back on several years in, the coat still looks great. It's a traditional double-breasted design featuring six buttons on the front and a quilted taffeta interior with fill that provides some insulation. Unlike most of the other selections in this guide that are mainly made from wool, this jacket has an acrylic polyester material with a bit of wool thrown in, but at less than $100, you can't beat this peacoat for the price.

Percival, an English brand whose motto is "Subverting the Classics," always brings something new to traditional wardrobe staples like peacoats. But, thankfully, their bold designs aren't just for show — they're thoughtful as well. The brand's Pea Coat is a single-breasted version that comes in several handsome colorways, including Rust Boucle. The coat's boxy cut is thoroughly contemporary, but its wool-viscose fabric will keep you as warm and dry as the conventional military version. This is one of the brand's perennially popular garments and it's easy to see why.

Karl Lagerfeld Paris' version of the peacoat, like all its designs, injects a bit of rock and roll into the mix. The Peacoat includes the traditional elements of the style (double-breasted, wool-blend, six-button front) but adds zippered pockets on the outside, giving the military style a touch of rebellious motorcycle jacket chic. It's utilitarian as well since when fully zipped moisture stays out and your personal items, like keys, stay secure.

Buck Mason is one of our favorite brands because they continually up the ante with style and craftsmanship while keeping the price point reasonable. The brand makes its Melton Admiral Peacoat from a hefty 35-ounce wool blend in a traditional Melton weave to keep the elements out, but includes articulated shoulders so you won't feel constricted when you move. Inside, thoughtful design elements include a Japanese brushed satin lining. While the coat keeps its naval heritage, it has a tailored fit and a non-traditional dark green colorway.

The Chouyatou Pea Coat is a budget-friendly double-breasted six-button front jacket with a boxy cut and a slightly longer hem than traditional peacoats (the company offers an even longer eight-button style as well). It's made from a wool-polyester blend (heavy on the polyester) and fully lined in quilted polyester for added warmth. Priced at well under $100, it will not give you the warmth or longevity of other picks in this review, but it's a fun, casual take on the style and comes in 9 colors, from dark green to wine red.

Swedish label John Henric makes its version of the peacoat from a luxurious fabric and sells it at a fair price thanks to its direct-to-consumer model. It's crafted from a heavy Italian wool-polyester blend fabric (75% wool) and has a slim cut with an adjustable belt at the back. It's a striking take on the style that's exceptionally well-crafted and keeps all the best elements of the original military version while appearing totally contemporary.

Ralph Lauren's Luke Peacoat takes the utilitarian out of this jacket style for an elevated, slightly more formal iteration with the two flap pockets more reminiscent of a blazer or overcoat than a typical peacoat and its structured silhouette. Don't worry, they've also included the more traditional slit pockets, but moved them above the flap pockets. Since Ralph Lauren's already taking this peacoat in another direction, we recommend the medium grey colorway, to give even more distance from the traditional dark navy or black of this naval staple.

Banana Republic always brings something extra to its takes on menswear staples. With the Ivar Plaid Pea Coat, there are a lot of extras, from the removal shearling collar to the Italian fabric made with recycled wool at a family-owned mill in Tuscany. This coat is double-breasted like traditional peacoats, but Banana Republic's version offers a relaxed fit and a slightly longer hem. Finally, we come to the colorway, a striking dark olive green buffalo check that makes for an entrancing jacket that's also fully lined, so you'll feel as good as you look in fair weather or foul.

Mission Workshop, the California brand that made its name with technical apparel combining stunning minimalist looks with high-caliber performance, has its own version of the peacoat. The Bridgeman: LT is made with a high-performance softshell fabric that's stretchy, breathable, and water-resistant.

Mission Workshop is known for its thoughtful designs and the Bridgeman LT comes through with zippered hand pockets and a chest pocket, and a lapel that turns into a funnel collar when you need a bit of extra warmth. This peacoat combines technical prowess with sleek styling and true purpose-driven design.

Another contender for the most authentic example of the U.S. Navy-issue peacoat comes from U.S. Wings, which has been selling military-grade outerwear for nearly forty years. Their U.S. Navy Peacoat is a true classic that's made of a 90% Merino wool blend that's soft but tough. It's fully lined for extra warmth and cut to military specifications for a slimmer fit, so if you prefer something roomier, they recommend you go one size up. If you're looking for a traditional version of the peacoat, you can't go wrong with this U.S. Wing's double-breasted classic that's authentic down to the anchor-etched buttons.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, especially in a crowd of folks sporting the mostly darker colors associated with winter wear, you can't go wrong with Reiss' Shearling Peacoat in Ivory. It's bright and bold to kill those winter doldrums and keep you extra warm, too. The British brand has been around for more than 50 years and continues to deliver luxury at an attainable price.

The Wind Peacoat features a wool-nylon blend heavy on the wool that, when combined with its quilted lining and a removable sheepskin collar, you get a jacket that can hold its own against the winter elements. This double-breasted jacket has a six-button closure and also comes in black, but the ivory colorway is definitely a stunner.

Nautica's peacoat has everything you'd want in a classic example of the style — double-breasted, six-button front, wool blend outer, quilted lining — with a price that's right. Nautica offers seven color choices (more than most in this review), including camel and light grey, along with the more traditional black and navy. We should note that some customers have mentioned that when you flip the collar up, the interfacing is visible, but besides this small reservation, this is a solid choice for the budget conscious.

Todd Snyder continually brings understated elegance, superb craftsmanship, and luxurious materials to whatever the brand puts out. The Italian Wool Cashmere Peacoat delivers on all of the above. The brand takes the traditional double-breasted military style of peacoat and adds luxurious elements like an Italian wool-cashmere fabric that's soft to the touch but highly capable of keeping the elements at bay. The natural horn buttons are another luxe touch, as is the Bemberg lining with piped seams. If you're looking for something less traditional, Todd Snyder offers a version in a vintage blue plaid colorway, along with several other variations on the style.

Are men's peacoats still in style?

There's a difference between a flash-in-the-pan trend versus a classic look that doesn't go out of style. Certain coat styles may have a moment and then disappear, but others surpass trends. As it so happens, the peacoat is having a moment, but will always remain timeless. 

How should a peacoat fit a man? 

If you're trying on a peacoat IRL, which is the optimal situation, be sure to wear clothes you'd typically wear in the colder months so that you can properly judge the fit. The coat's shoulders should line up with your actual shoulders; the jacket should slightly hug your midsection; and the sleeves should touch the top of your hands when your arms are straight at your sides and your palms are parallel to the ground. 

Do you pop the collar on a peacoat?

Having your peacoat collar up is completely acceptable and is both a matter of taste and comfort. A turned-up collar may seem too preppy for some when we're talking about a polo shirt, but with outerwear, it's a different story. If it's cold and windy and you don't have a scarf, then pop that collar on your peacoat to keep your neck warm. That's what it's designed for. 

Are peacoats supposed to be tight?

Traditional peacoats are double-breasted, so when fully buttoned, they will tend to sit close to the body but shouldn't feel tight or constricting. Single-breasted peacoats don't sit quite as close to the midsection. With either style of the peacoat, you want enough room for a thick winter sweater or several layers, but want it to fit close enough to prevent cold air from getting in. 

Do you button the bottom button on a peacoat?

Like the longstanding rule (or at least tradition) of leaving the bottom button on your blazer and vest undone, the same goes for the peacoat. This allows for, in all three cases, ease of movement, a comfortable wearing experience, and a more aesthetic appearance. But regarding the peacoat, the exception to the rule would be that if you find yourself in the freezing cold, you've got to do to what you've got to do. It's a cold-weather coat that's meant to keep you warm, after all.