Toggled

With the northern hemisphere inching towards winter, it’s time to start thinking about some serious outerwear. For the last few years the go-to coat for any well-dressed man has been the peacoat.

There’s good reason for this too. They were originally used in the navy and can still be bought at Army/Navy surplus stores as the real deal. They’re cut short so they’re flattering in a casual situation and the double-breasted shape means they look good and rugged on almost any build. They keep you warm without looking like you walked off the ski slope and can be dressed up or down.

There’s only one problem – every man with an ounce of style is wearing one. This is especially true in a city with even a remotely urban bent. In a few months you’ll be surrounded by guys in their black and grey pea coats. So what do you do to stand out from the crowd while still maintaining almost all the benefits of the traditional pea coat? Grab a toggle coat.

Also known as a duffle coat, these were originally introduced by the British Royal Navy during WW1 and, like almost everything else post war, became popular amongst civilians as a way to represent masculine virility.

There are a few defining features about these coats that make them ideal for winter.

• They are made from genuine, double-weave duffel, a wool that will keep you warm in the coldest and wettest conditions.
• They come with a functioning throat latch, which is a huge benefit when you need the extra coverage on extremely cold days.
• Rather than buttoning they use wooden or horn toggles (hence the name) that make it easier to put them on or take them off when your hands are gloved and barely functional.
• They come with patch pockets that will hold all your gear without making you worry about doing any damage to the pockets themselves.

Originally they went down to the knees but they will look better if you keep them mid thigh or shorter. If you want to wear one with your suits, make sure it’s long enough to keep your jacket form poking out underneath.

Get one in a color other than black as a way to avoid the drab attitudes that come with the colder months. They were originally made in camel – a great color for men with warmer complexions – but can also be found in grey, navy, olive-green, and even bright orange.

You can find them for cheaper prices at places like Zara and J Crew and they start getting more expensive the higher in quality you get.

So keep the pea coat in your rotation but grab one of these for a little variety and a way to stand out from the crowd this winter.