The Best Duster Coat

Buying Guide

Winter outerwear isn’t always easy to choose. Puffer coats can be bulky and thick, while bombers don’t exactly help to keep your bottom half warm. Some winter jackets look frumpy and inelegant, but that’s not the case with the duster coat. This is a style of outerwear that is timeless, sophisticated and an essential for a cold-weather wardrobe.

What is a duster coat, exactly, and how did it get its name? The key identifying feature of a duster coat is that it is long. Originally, they were floor length, designed to keep the clothes away from outside dust and debris (hence the name, duster). Nowadays, while duster coats are still longer than knee length, they typically don’t quite make it to the ground. Instead, they are often at mid-calf or ankle level.

Duster jackets are usually made from wool, canvas or leather, and sometimes can be made from a combination of materials including cotton and polyester. They are not often belted at the waist, and have button closures down the center of the coat. Some duster coats have a wide lapel and collar while others have a narrower one.

These coats can make any winter outfit looks formal and elegant. From chunky sweaters to sweatpants, if you throw a duster coat on top, the style is instantly transformed into something tasteful and sophisticated. The duster coat creates a long, lean and simple silhouette that looks great at any occasion.

• Length is a key aspect to consider when choosing a duster coat. Traditionally, duster coats went down all the way to the ground, but that’s not the case any more. Some people prefer the long duster coat, but others are happy with an ankle-level or mid-calf level coat. Be sure to consider your footwear when selecting the length of coat you want, especially if you like to wear heels. The height of your heels will somewhat change where the length of the coat lands.
• A unique feature on some duster coats is the small cape on the back. Originally, this small cape helped protect horse riders from wind, rain and other natural elements, adding a little bit of extra cover. Today, the cape adds more style than function, but gives the duster coat an interesting and old-school look.
• Is a duster coat the same as a trench coat? While the two outerwear styles do have many similarities, they are not the same. Key differences are that trench coats are often belted at the waist and have a slimmer fit than dusters, which are typically looser and unbelted.
• When it comes to closures, duster coats typically have three or four buttons down the center of the coat. Some modern duster coats don’t have any buttons or closures at all, and the coat is designed to remain open in the front. While this looks unique from a style standpoint, it doesn’t do much to keep you warm against the elements.
• If you like having space for your essentials in your coat, opt for a duster with deep pockets on the sides. This way, you can keep things like your phone, wallet, gloves and other important items in there. Some duster coats also have inner pockets as well.