The Best Peacoats Will Make You Look Like the Leading Man of Your Own Movie
Political thrillers aren’t particularly known for setting fashion trends, but Three Days of Condor is the exception. In the film, Robert Redford plays Joe Turner, a nondescript CIA analyst (a pencil pusher, really) who gets ushered into corrupt government coverups. He’s literally an average joe, an ordinary guy, and his choice in jacket, a peacoat, reflected that at the time.
It was the ’70s, and the style—once the purview of navies across the globe, fisherman, and other seafarers—started gaining popularity among the masses. The sturdy wool jacket, marked by its double-breasted silhouette with two rows of pronounced admiral-style buttons and sizable notch collar, was completely insulating and hassle-free. It was utilitarian, intended to protect men traveling the ocean blue from harsh conditions. But after Redford, a bona fide hunk, donned the topper, it became an emblem of sophistication.
Over the years, other poster boys took up Redford’s mantle: Johnny Depp in Blow, Norman Reedus in The Boondock Saints, and 007 himself, Daniel Craig, in Skyfall, his by Billy Reid, are just a few examples of men looking spiffy in a peacoat on celluloide. Other Tinseltown folk, too, exuded the same kind of debonair of quality on the streets, especially Chris Pine earlier this year. All these fellas stuck to the OG style, and reaped our adulation in the process.
Lately, the peacoat has gotten a few tweaks, but is no less worthy of praise. Allsaints, Ralph Lauren, and the maker of Bond’s jacket, Billy Reid, have replaced the traditional black, navy, and gray colorways with earthones. Instead of using sturdy wool, Todd Snyder opted for corduroy. Dior has cashmere, and Thom Browne went fuzzy with shearling. Prada shortened the collar and padded its peacoat to oversized perfection. And Wales Bonner decided to turn the typically short silhouette into a long coat. The throughline—and what remains of the original style—is that the two front panels overlap and feature rows of buttons. Basically, it’s a double-breasted blazer with a bit more heft, and a lot more cachet.
In the event you want to get the most Hollywood look around, check out the options below—all of which will make you a leading man and definitely not an average joe.
Wool-Blend Classic Peacoat
About as classic as they come—and about as cheap as they come, too.
Double-Breasted Heavyweight Wool Blend Peacoat
This navy heavyweight peacoat by Amazon Essentials is a champ, and the price is a definite knockout.
Classic Double Breasted Peacoat
Nautica doesn’t play around when it comes to a style famously favored by the, well, nautically minded.
Bonded Wool Caban Coat
If you’re the type of dude who appreciates the finer details, Scotch & Soda’s subdued take on the peacoat should be right up your alley.
Ossie Twill Peacoat
Anchors aweigh in this deep anchor-blue peacoat.
Nixon Regular-Fit Double-Breasted Peacoat
Make sure to pop your collar with this peacoat Rood & Gunn, which features an eye-catching plaid detail.
Slim-Fit Wool-Blend Peacoat
Schott is a certified OG when it comes to the peacoat in the U.S. The brand made the style for the Navy back in the day, and this version leans hard into its military heritage in a slightly slimmer cut that’ll still keep you warm all winter long.
Navy Peacoat
It should come as no surprise that a purveyor of the finest suits also has a stash of debonair peacoats.
Ford Peacoat
Sleek, beautifully boxy, and with subtle check pattern, this peacoat from AllSaints is truly a blessing.
Wool-Blend Twill Peacoat
Inhabit la dolce vita in this sweet peacoat made from an Italian wool blend by a great American.
Bond Peacoat
Billy Reid’s most well-known peacoat is named for the designer’s Bond Street store in NYC, but was made famous by another Bond when Daniel Craig wore the black version in Skyfall.
Wool Cashmere Peacoat
Todd Snyder + Private White Manchester
For more than a century, British label Private White V.C. has been making fits for sailors. Todd Snyder, a designer who only collaborates with the best of the best, knows this, hence the team-up.
Dalton Wool and Cashmere-Blend Peacoat
When it comes to stylish outwear of all kinds, trust that Mackintosh will always deliver the goods.
Hooded Double-Breasted Peacoat
Come for designer Olivier Rousteing’s signature super-fitted silhouettes, but stay for the hood detail.
Classic Wool Peacoat
The maker of the sharpest tuxedos on the market also sells a peacoat that, of course, skews decidedly slick.
Wool Peacoat
Long story short: Grace Wales Bonner’s long take on a normally short topper is a must-cop.
Contrast Panel Distressed Peacoat
Greg Lauren x Paul & Shark
Balenciaga may hold claim to the Triple S, but Greg Lauren, in partnership with Paul & Shark, offers a peacoat that also fits the bill: sailors, scraps, and sustainability.
Padded Wool-Twill Peacoat
Alliteration at its finest: A peacoat from Prada that is padded to perfection.
Unconstructed Classic Shearling Peacoat
For the cozy boys and, really, anyone in the market for a fuzzy-ass coat.
Navy Blue Peacoat
Dior is a virtual house of blues; the eponymous founder was a fan of the color, particularly navy. And this cashmere peacoat certainly lives up to that rich history.
Barry Samaha
Barry Samaha is the style commerce editor at Esquire, where he covers all things fashion and grooming.
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