10 Best Men's Peacoats [2024 Buyer's Guide] (2024)

Much like the ubiquitous M-65 field jacket, the iconic peacoat began as a purely functional military garment. The coats were first used in the 1700s by the British Royal Navy and then in the 1800s by the U.S. Navy. They were sturdy, durable, highly functional, and attractive to boot. It was a winning combination for protecting sailors from harsh weather.

While you may not need the same type of functionality sailors do, having such a practical coat is a huge benefit. Peacoats keep you warm and dry, they’re exceedingly durable, wool is one of the best fabrics to wear in case of an emergency, the hip length allows you to freely move around, and they look sharp.

They strike the right balance between casual and formal, easily dressing up but also right at home with jeans and sneakers. If you’re considering buying a peacoat, check out our top 10 picks.

1. Men’s L.L. Bean Wool Peacoat

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This L.L. Bean men’s peacoat takes the top spot on our list because it’s authentic and timeless, yet perfectly modern.

To begin with, it’s made of 100% Italian wool, which is something few peacoats can lay claim to. It has a classic cut, inspired by the peacoat’s original style and designed to be worn over layers. Inside, there’s warm, soft Thinsulate insulation. The navy blue shade is so dark it almost looks black, just like the original peacoats.

L.L. Bean included sharp, thoughtful details throughout the coat, including stamped anchors on the buttons and reinforced front welt pockets. If you’re on the fence, don’t take our word for it – L.L. Bean frequently sells out of this peacoat!

2. Ralph Lauren Polo Wool-Blend Melton Peacoat

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Polo’s “Melton” wool-blend peacoat is a bit of an investment, but a worthy one.

The coat is made of a blend of Italian wool and nylon and has a silky interior lining. It keeps the authentic Navy peacoat silhouette, with a hip-length hem, epaulets at the shoulders, a double-breasted front, and a wide lapel collar. The designer added some signature premium touches, of course, including buttonholes in the lapels and Corozo buttons embossed with anchors and “RL.”

In a more modern interpretation of the peacoat, Polo made the cuffs clean and didn’t include a stand collar. It’s available in navy and charcoal, as well as short, regular, and long lengths, so it’s easy to find the perfect fit.

3. Men’s Chaps Classic-Fit Wool-Blend Double-Breasted Coat

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This classic double-breasted peacoat epitomizes the timelessness of the style. It doesn’t have any bells and whistles, but it does perfect every clean, simplistic detail, down to the noticeably neat stitching. Chaps gave its peacoat a double-breasted silhouette and it’s made from a thick wool-polyester blend with a silky interior lining.

The neutral charcoal gray color complements every outfit and seamlessly transitions from the office to a date, while the numbered sizing ensures a just-right fit. It’s also on the heavier side and features a broad lapel-style collar, so the coat will keep you warm in the most frigid conditions.

Please note, the care instructions recommend dry cleaning only – but at this price point, you can afford it.

4. Land’s End Men’s Wool Peacoat

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Land’s End was founded by champion sailor Gary Comer in the 1960s as an outfitter for yachtsman.

So, it makes perfect sense that the company’s iteration of the classic wool peacoat is a homerun. This peacoat is made of a fabric blend of wool and polyester, then brushed for amazing softness. It’s insulated with lightweight 60-gram Primaloft® Silver and lined inside, so it keeps you toasty without bulkiness. The inside of the bottom half is even quilted for extra comfort.

There are two generously-sized handwarmer pockets, just like the coat was designed with early on, as well as an interior pocket for keeping valuables close.

5. Ted Baker London Westun Double Breasted Peacoat

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Ted Baker’s ‘Westun’ double-breasted peacoat is one of the most authentically classic on our list. The color is the perfect deep indigo shade of navy, the length is just right, the button placement is spot on – this is a true Navy-inspired men’s peacoat.

The legendary impeccable quality Ted Baker is known for is seen throughout the coat’s details, such as the front welt pockets that are reinforced with small leather triangles at each end. There’s also the tweed fabric on the underside of the collar that can be seen when it’s stood up, and the buckle strap that keeps it in place.

The exterior shell is made of a substantial 75% wool, so it will keep you exceptionally warm. Inside, a silky lining with bold paisley print is distinctly Ted Baker.

6. Levi’s Wool-Blend Double-Breasted Peacoat with Puffer Bib

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This classic men’s peacoat comes with an added built-in benefit – literally. Inside the double-breasted Levi’s coat, there’s an integrated quilted puffer bib that zips all the way up. The bib makes it look like you’re wearing a lighter, more casual quilted jacket underneath, lending a handsome modern twist. It also has great functionality, as the big inset keeps your neck nice and warm.

The wool-blend exterior of the coat is water-resistant, and the interior is lined with a silky quilted material. In addition to the two front pockets, there’s also one interior pocket. A subtle loop on the upper back makes hanging the coat simple.

The coat is available in classic navy, as well as black, and charcoal and light gray.

7. Todd Snyder + Private White Manchester Wool Cashmere Peacoat In Navy

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When you want luxury that’s just as much about form as function, you go to Todd Snyder. The retailer is world-renowned for combining all the best aspects of London and New York fashion, then blending it with impeccable military tailoring and function. This peacoat is no different. Todd Snyder collaborated with Private White V.C., a Manchester, UK label that’s been handcrafting all its clothing in-house since 1853.

The result is a modern peacoat made from a divine blend of 90% Italian wool and 10% cashmere. It comes in both navy and charcoal, and in addition to the standard front handwarmer pockets, there are two welt pockets and two interior zip pockets.

Although it’s one of the most expensive options on our list, this peacoat will last for many, many years if properly cared for.

8. Brooks Brothers Iconic Wool Pea Coat

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The name truly says it all. Brooks Brothers’ “Iconic” peacoat is a timeless classic that’s attractive and incredibly functional. The wool used is Barberis, some of the highest quality available, and it’s finished with a wind- and water-resistant external shell.

Inside is a traditional Brooks Brothers diamond quilted lining made of a soft, silky material and filled with Thermore insulation. Two exterior pockets are finished with refined corduroy trim, and there’s one additional interior pocket.

Brooks Brothers rigorously tested the Iconic peacoat for its Comfort Zone Scale in cold weather and rates it between 5-40 degrees Fahrenheit “for optimal comfort.”

9. Uaneo Men’s Trench Pea Coat

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This is a notably more modern take on the classic peacoat. There’s the bold plaid print, of course, but it’s also single-breasted, features a sleek 2-button closure, and has a longer 3/4 length, much like a trenchcoat.

The signature front peacoat pockets are there, and in this case, they’re rather oversized – another nod to modern design. It comes in either gray or “wine red,” both of which are perfect for dressing up any outfit.

The Uaneo peacoat is one of the most affordable options on our list, but it’s made from a premium wool blend with 20% lamb’s wool and impeccably tailored. It’s not particularly heavy or thick, so this coat is ideal in the transitional seasons of fall and spring.

10. Nautica Men’s Classic Double-Breasted Peacoat

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Nautica is synonymous with, well, all things nautical, and its classic peacoat hits the nail squarely on the head. It has a very traditional silhouette, with a double-breasted cut, hip length, exterior handwarmer pockets directly in the middle, and wool that is substantially napped.

The peacoat is made of a blend of 52% wool, 40% polyester, and 8% other synthetic fibers. It will keep you toasty warm all winter and it’s durable enough to withstand daily wear as well as the elements. The interior lining is a thick, plush quilted material, and there are an additional four pockets on the inside.

History of the Peacoat

Although the exact origins of men’s peacoats are more fabled than factual, we do know that the British Royal Navy officially implemented them at some point in the early 18th century. The earliest known mentions of peacoats appeared in the Royal Navy’s official uniform manual in 1731.

“Peacoat” is widely believed to be either a derivative of pijjekker, a Dutch word for a coarse jacket, or a reference to the pilot cloth that was once used to make the coats.

About a century after the British Royal Navy introduced peacoats for their sailors, the United States Navy followed. When the U.S. Navy adopted peacoats in the 1800s, their original purpose was to protect “reefers,” sailors who had to climb up and down the ships’ riggings.

The strategic placement of the buttons allowed sailors to go up and down without anything such as ropes snagging on their coats, while the double-breasted design offered a literal extra layer of protection that stayed closed.

The peacoats’ now-iconic buttons and breasts weren’t the only things the Navy designed with a specific intent in mind. Every single detail and feature was included very intentionally for a certain functionality.

• Wool construction: Sailors are frequently exposed to extreme weather, from pouring rain to howling winds, hail, snow, and triple-digit temperatures. Wool is one of the best temperature-regulating materials in the world. Choosing it for peacoats meant that sailors could wear them most of the year, in any climate and weather. Wool is also extremely durable, flame-retardant, and fade-resistant. Even the wool’s deep ink blue color served a purpose, as it hid dirt, salt, and grime as it accumulated on the coat.
• Double-breasted cut: Having two rows of large buttons and a double-breasted design offered sailors extra protection from all elements, especially wind. If the wine picked up, sailors could simply button their coats tight and prevent them from flapping up. The design also allowed sailors to move more freely, particularly up and down the ships’ riggings.
• Tall collar with wide lapels: Traditional peacoats have broad lapel collars that can be turned up and buttoned or buckled to stay in place. This keeps the neck substantially warmer.
• Front slash pockets: Unlike just about all other coats, a peacoat’s front pockets aren’t designed to hold personal items. Instead, they’re meant primarily to warm soldiers’ hands.

In 2016, the Navy announced that it would be phasing out peacoats over the next couple of years, in favor of black parkas made of synthetic materials. As of early 2020, sailors could technically continue to wear their standard-issue peacoats but would be required to purchase them with their own money.

The American woolen industry as a whole was outraged with the announcement because the Navy’s peacoats have been manufactured in New England for several decades. Sailors were upset also, fiercely defending the coats’ unmatched functionality, sturdiness, and looks.

Many people, both servicemen and civilians, are hoping that peacoats get phased back in at some point.

Men’s Peacoat FAQs

Why do they call a peacoat a peacoat?

There are two primary theories about how peacoats got their name. The first is that “pea” references the “p” in pilot cloth, the durable, waterproof material the coats were originally made from. The second theory is that the name is derived from the Dutch word pijjekker, meaning “jacket of coarse cloth.” Pij is pronounced similarly to “pea.”

Are men’s peacoats still in style?

Peacoats are very much still in style, and likely will continue to be for decades. The smart, minimalist coat design is a timeless fashion that transitions seamlessly from year to year.

What color peacoat is best?

There’s truthfully no such thing as a bad peacoat color. Having said that, if you want to rock the traditional look, stick with navy blue, charcoal gray, or black. You can never go wrong with the classics!