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The 6 Best Peacoats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Short, long, slim, and oversized, we tested 17 peacoats to find the best ones.

A person wearing the Everlane The Italian ReWool Long Peacoat in a woodsy environment
Photo:

Travel + Leisure / Jackie Cucco

Peacoats, like sweater dresses have come a long way in style since their original use as outerwear for sailors in the 19th century and beyond. Now, the standard navy double-breasted jacket has transformed into a wardrobe staple, whether you’re dressing up or down. 

With all the different styles on the market now, our Travel + Leisure editors researched and selected 17 peacoats to test ourselves. From traditional navy slim-fit peacoats to knee-length wool overcoats, we hand-picked a variety of options to test for four months. We’re also testing the jackets for an additional few months to ensure our article is frequently updated with our findings. Keep reading to find out which peacoats exceeded our expectations and others that fell short.

L.L.Bean Women's Classic Lambswool Peacoat
PHOTO: L.L.Bean
Our Ratings
  • Warmth
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Fit
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
Why We Love It
  • The classic cut of the jacket is perfect.

What to Consider
  • The jacket has a slightly oversized fit. 

L.L.Bean’s classic peacoat features the standard below-the-hip length, double-breasted buttons, and thick wool material. The jacket has a toasty layer of Thinsulate insulation for extra warmth in the winter, and the polyester lining is soft without feeling scratchy or itchy. We did find that the jacket is slightly oversized (as all peacoats can be), so it was easy to layer a chunky sweater underneath and pair it with fleece-lined jeans in chilly weather. After wearing the jacket multiple times per week for four months, it still looked as good as new and didn’t show any signs of wear. L.L.Bean is already a trusted clothing brand for longevity, so we’re confident this jacket is made to last. We also love that it comes in a variety of neutral colors and sizes 4 to 20 in petite, medium, and plus options.

The Details: 4 to 20 (petite, medium, plus) | Lambswool, polyester, Thinsulate

Reformation Paley Double Breasted Coat
PHOTO: Reformation
Our Ratings
  • Warmth
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Fit
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
Why We Love It
  • It has a wide lapel and oversized fit to accommodate chunky sweaters or light jackets underneath. 

What to Consider
  • The pockets come sewn shut but are easy to undo.

This luxe wool jacket from Reformation is perfectly warm and breathable for transitional weather, but we love that the jacket can fit layers underneath for extra warmth. It has a wide lapel, so one extra chilly day, we wore a chunky sweater and a scarf, and on warmer days, we left it as is to let some air in for breathability. The calf length adds more warmth than a typical hip-length peacoat, and we appreciated the thick, premium material for comfort and durability. While the jacket pockets come sewn together, they are easy to release by snipping each stitch with scissors. It's also highly durable and easy to clean, after spilling coffee on one of the sleeves during our four months of tests, we were able to remove the stain with a Tide To Go Pen.

The Details: XS to XL | Recycled MWool, polyamide

Women's Classic Double Breasted Coat
PHOTO: Anne Klein
Our Ratings
  • Warmth
    5/5
  • Value
    4/5
  • Fit
    4.5/5
  • Quality
    4.5/5
Why We Love It
  • It has a tighter fit compared to the common oversized peacoat design.

What to Consider
  • During our four-month test, we noticed the collar can uncomfortably rub against the neck if you're not wearing a high base layer.

Peacoats can range from slim to loose-fitting, so we recommend this Anne Klein jacket for anyone in search of a flattering slim-fit option. It has six double-breasted buttons and a tight fit to accentuate the waist before the hemline falls mid-thigh. The wool and polyester blend is thick and warm, but it feels a bit stiff at first, so we found that you need to wear the jacket a few times to loosen up the fabric. Then, the coat is perfectly warm, stylish, and comfortable to wear while out to dinner or sightseeing. One thing to note is that we don’t recommend sizing down like you might want to with a peacoat since this jacket is true to size with a naturally tighter fit.

The Details: 2XS to 2XL | Wool, polyester

Babaton The Constant Coat
PHOTO: Babaton
Our Ratings
  • Warmth
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Fit
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
Why We Love It
  • This luxe jacket has elegant gold hardware and thick wool and cashmere blended fabric.

What to Consider
  • The pockets come sewn together.

If you’re in search of a truly premium wool peacoat, then look no further than this Babaton jacket from Aritzia. The jacket is made with a thick and luxurious-feeling wool and cashmere blend that is soft to the touch and extra warm in inclement weather. During our four-month testing period, we loved it on mild days as well as frigid days with a bit of added layers underneath. Adorned with elegant gold buttons on the front and cuffs of the jacket, this peacoat fits the bill for quiet luxury. It fits true to size and it isn’t too slim or too oversized, offering the perfect fit for laying or wearing it as-is. At first, we thought the pockets were fake, but it turns out that the pockets are stitched close, and you can easily snip them open with scissors. 

The Details: 2XS to XL | Wool, cashmere, viscose, polyester, elastane

Italian ReWool Long Peacoat
Courtesy of Everlane.
Our Ratings
  • Warmth
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Fit
    5/5
  • Quality
    5/5
Why We Love It
  • The coat has an oversized fit, but the materials are lightweight and don’t weigh down the jacket. 

What to Consider
  • During our four months of tests, we felt that this coat is best for mild weather.

Everlane makes some of the best outerwear we’ve tried, so it’s no surprise that this peacoat blew us away during testing. The knee-length jacket has an oversized fit and dropped shoulders that make it easy to layer clothing underneath without feeling restricted. We love that the jacket has room for layers since the recycled fabric blend is on the thinner side — so you can wear your favorite hoodie underneath. It’s the ideal oversized jacket for transitional weather, and we’re big fans of the neutral plaid colorway. It also comes in solid heathered black and camel shades that seem to go in and out of stock a lot, so grab it while you can.

The Details: 2XS to XL | Recycled wool, nylon, polyester 

Zara Soft Oversized Coat
PHOTO: Zara
Our Ratings
  • Warmth
    5/5
  • Value
    5/5
  • Fit
    5/5
  • Quality
    4.9/5
Why We Love It
  • The look and feel of the jacket were similar to the most expensive peacoats we tried at a fraction of the cost.

What to Consider
  • After four months of use, the sleeves and lapel are pilling, so you made need to use a fabric shaving tool on it.

We love it when we find a good dupe, and this Zara peacoat rivaled some of the pricier jackets we tested. It’s made with polyester that looks and feels like a thick wool material, and the oversized silhouette is flattering without feeling boxy. We styled the jacket buttoned and unbuttoned in temperatures ranging from 30 to 60 degrees, and both looks were perfect for wearing the jacket buttoned up for extra warmth on cold days and unbuttoned in transitional fall temps. Because the material is quite thick, the buttons felt a tad flimsy, so we considered getting them tightened to ensure longevity. 

The Details: 2XS to 2XL | Polyester 

Other Peacoats We Liked

We tried several peacoats that didn’t perform quite as well as the ones above, but we still recommend this one for under $100.

Chartou Women's Winter Oversized Coat: This lightweight jacket comes in tons of stylish colors and patterns, but the fabric is scratchy and a little flimsy. 

a person wearing the chartou peacoat outdoors

Travel + Leisure / Elizabeth Theriot

Our Testing Process

We tested 17 peacoats from trusted outerwear brands to rate each one based on attributes such as fit, quality, and warmth. For four months, we wore the jackets for various occasions like running around cities, walking dogs, commuting to work, and going out on the town in the evening. We gauged how easy it was to layer underneath on extra chilly days, how breathable each jacket felt on warmer days, and of course, we paid close attention to the comfort and style of each jacket. After the four-month testing period, we are continuing to test each jacket for up to two months or longer to make sure they’re durable and to update our articles with the most recent testing notes. 

Tips for Buying Peacoats

Consider the weather

Peacoats come in all types of fabric thickness and breathability features to help with various weather conditions. While most peacoats aren’t waterproof, wool and synthetic fabrics are water-resistant — although you won’t want to wear a peacoat in a downpour. Oversized peacoats are also much better for layering, so even if the material isn’t the thickest, at least you can add a sweater underneath for warmth. 

Pay attention to fabric and lining

Not all peacoats are made with wool, so it’s important to double-check the materials to get a better idea of the warmth, weatherproofness, and quality of the materials. Some peacoats offer insulation or down fill, so if you’re looking for extra warmth, opt for a jacket with thermoregulation abilities.

Keep track of the buttons

More often than not, a peacoat will come with extra buttons in case one falls off the jacket. It’s important to test buttons before you wear the jacket since they can come loose or fall off. If that happens, you’ll be grateful to have the extra ones on hand to prolong the life and usefulness of the jacket. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is a peacoat?

    A peacoat is typically a hip-length jacket with double-breasted overlap of the fabric. It’s often made with a thick wool material with buttons lining each side of the jacket. Peacoats were originally worn by sailors (you’ll often see navy or neutral-colored peacoats) since the shorter length of the jacket provides better range of motion than a longer jacket. 

  • How should a peacoat fit?

    As we mentioned above, peacoats come in all types of fits, including slim, regular, and oversized. Traditional peacoats should have a fairly rectangular shape without being too slim or too oversized, but now you’ll see many more modern options of varying styles, so it’s ultimately a personal style preference.

  • How do you clean a peacoat?

    Most peaocoats are made with wool or synthetic fabrics, so it’s crucial to cross-check the cleaning instructions before attempting to clean it yourself. It’s very common for peacoats to require dry-cleaning by a professional, but you can usually spot-clean a jacket by dabbing it with soap and water. Be sure not to rub wool, as that can damage the fibers.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L Commerce Writer Anna Popp writes nearly all of the Travel + Leisure Trusted articles and participates in product testing from luggage and shoes to outdoor gear and apparel. Anna sifted through thorough testing notes and used her own outerwear knowledge to recommend the best peacoats for all travelers. She also tested one herself to get familiarized with the testing process and attributes to better understand what to look for in a peacoat. 

Related: The 10 Best Puffer Jackets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed 

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Updated by
Taylor Fox
Taylor Fox, Commerce Updates Writer at Travel + Leisure
Taylor Fox is the Commerce Outdoor Gear Editor at Travel + Leisure where she tests, researches, and writes about travel products. Taylor holds a Master’s in Geography and has been a writer and editor for over nine years.

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