Yes, you can! There, that answers the question posed in our title for this blog post, in case you were wondering! Seriously, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from wearing a gorgeous quality tie (say, from Tieroom, of course) with your winter overcoat. This blog post will delve into just how many choices you have when wearing a tie with your overcoat.

Before we do that, we thought it a good idea to explore some of the key aspects of the wonderful outer garments that are overcoats, including how they should be differentiated from topcoats.

Overcoats vs Topcoats

There is no denying that a well-designed overcoat will not only make you look smart but it also serves as a much-needed buffer against the cold during those frigid autumn and winter days. Dressier jackets that cover a suit or blazer are usually referred to as either overcoats or topcoats, with the terms often used interchangeably. However, there are some key differences between the two types of coats.

Typically, an overcoat is a longer coat used in cold weather that covers most of your outfit, with its length extending beyond the knees. However, modern designs often have the coat ending above the knee and even mid-thigh. Yes, but would that classify it as an overcoat? Well, not technically, but the fashion-forwards would argue otherwise.

A topcoat can also have the same functionality as an overcoat but a key difference is that it should end above the knees. There is a common assumption that overcoats can be double-breasted, whereas a topcoat shouldn’t be. Although a double-breasted design is typically more found with overcoats, some designers have made double-breasted topcoats. As so much in men’s fashion, there are no hard and fast rules in the styling of overcoats versus topcoats!

So, how can that key factor make the difference in whether you wear an overcoat or topcoat?

The overcoat is a more traditional coat that has been the choice of elegant gentlemen since the latter 19^th century, although they were more commonly known as frock coats and looked different to the4 overcoats we know. It gained further popularity with a broader swathe of men in the aftermath of World War I, after many soldiers had worn them as part of their uniforms both in an out of trench warfare. In the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood stars such as Humphrey Bogart epitomised the classic and elegant silhouette that an overcoat offered. It’s a look that has prevailed with the ebbs and flows of men’s fashion to the present day.

The shorter version of overcoat that became known as the topcoat only gained widespread appeal from the 1950s onwards, although they were a feature of men’s fashion dating back to the 1800s. Topcoats were seen as being more functional and youthful. They were boosted by their popularity among the fashionable youth movements of England in the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the famous Teddy Boys.  One could say that still today the topcoat is seen as the more ‘hip’ version of coat, even as overcoats continue to be widely loved by men worldwide.

To recap, an overcoat typically looks more fulsome, more structured and somehow grander, more formal. Conversely, a topcoat is not as ‘all-enveloping’ of a man’s physique, more free-form in styling and less grandiose, more casual.  One could say that an overcoat forms a man’s silhouette, whilst a topcoat complements it. They both have their place in men’s fashion and should be welcome additions to your wardrobe.

Types of Overcoats & the Ties To Wear with Them

Not all overcoats are equal. There are fascinating variations on their designs. We now turn to four of the leading examples of overcoats and what ties one could consider wearing with them.

The Crombie Overcoat:

As English as any outer garment can ever be, this overcoat is a classic, as used by City of London bankers as it is by punk skinheads. This coat features slimmer lines and a single-breasted design,  and often sports wide lapels. There are variations on the styling of the Crombie, although it is typically in black, as well as tan or camel.

Possible ties with Crombie Overcoats: For a look that personifies professional business attire, a classic striped tie in quality Italian silk will look perfectly suitable with a slim-fit Crombie. For a fuller version of the coat, a more casual choice can be made, such as a textured woollen tie.

The Chesterfield Overcoat:

This is another classic, single-breasted overcoat with its unfussy, clean lines and hyper-tailored look. This is possibly the most streamlined of all overcoats. The Chesterfield is characterized by what is called a fly-front or hidden button closure and notched lapels. It also features what is known as a single back vent. This overcoat was traditionally worn with a velvet collar, usually in black or dark brown, although less so in today’s versions.

Possible Ties with Chesterfield Overcoats:

An elegant, quite severe-looking overcoat requires a tie that is quintessentially understated. A good choice is a skinny tie, possibly in silk or a smooth cotton blend, with monochromatic in a dark tone such as navy blue or chocolate brown the safest choice. And, if unsure, you can perhaps opt for socks in cotton or bamboo in classic black or discreet pattern.

The Polo Coat:

This type of overcoat is looser-fitting and more casual in style than other overcoats. What makes it distinctive is that it has a thick belt rather than buttons. Polo coats are so named as they were originally worn by polo players between ‘chukkers’ or sets. They’re typically in camel or tan.   

Possible ties with Polo Coats: A simple, thinner monochromatic bow tie looks especially choice and discreet with this coat. Another, bolder option is a cotton or cotton blend tie with floral pattern .

The Greatcoat / Military Coat:

These are military-inspired, bulky overcoats that instantly evoke the formidable-looking soldiers who stomp back and forth on Moscow’s Red Square – you get the picture! This is the perfect overcoat for the taller and more built man who has to contend with particularly cold weather. Often double-breasted and with a large collar and deep cuffs, it’s a coat suited to a broader chest. It can appear in colours as diverse as black, rust brown and dark teal. The British Warm is another version of this very distinct and famous coat.

Possible Ties with Greatcoats / Military Coats: To be honest, this is one overcoat that is not typically worn with a tie, given its large lapels that are often upturned. But you can buck that cliché with a paisley tie in discreet blues or other dark tones, especially if the greatcoat has a more contemporary, fitted cut. A knitted tie in perhaps olive green or dark brown could be another interesting choice.

There other variations on the overcoat, including the covert coat and that timeless classic, the trench coat. They too can be comfortably paired with any number of different ties, be they cotton, wool or blends thereof, and whether single-coloured or in a host of different patterns, including tartan and dotted.

Overcoats have stood the test of time in men’s fashion and continue to prevail because they are timeless and serve a tremendous utility in especially cold weather. Whatever the style of overcoat, every man should seriously consider having at least one in their closet. They are a mainstay of what has defined a gentleman for many years. You could even say they complete the man.