Trench Coat vs Raincoat: Which One to Buy This Winter?

Let’s get one thing addressed right away – a raincoat and trench coat are not the same thing. They serve different purposes and should be worn in different situations. And, the manner in which you style these coats differs, too. To help you gain a better understanding of these differences let’s first explain both types:

Raincoats Explained

As the name suggests, raincoats go over your clothing. We know what you’re thinking – don’t all coats go over your clothing? Well, the raincoats were originally designed to go over suits in particular situations like rainy or snowy weather.

This helped the well-dressed man stay warm in brutal winter temperatures. But, the raincoat wasn’t just for protecting men from the harsh weather and elements. The raincoat was also tasked with protecting your suit underneath, so you could take off the coat upon entering a building and look fresh and clean. In order to keep the wearer warm and cozy, most raincoats are designed with wool fabric. They’re pretty heavy – and that is by design. This weight adds to the function of your raincoat.

Today, the raincoat is far more versatile – you can even wear a raincoat casually! Today’s raincoat is far lighter than those of the past, too. Traditional raincoats were known for being incredibly heavy. 

Trench Coats Explained

Ok – you now know a bit more about the modern raincoat and how it originated. But what about trench coats? What are these, and where did they come from?

We can understand why so many men (and women, for that matter) confuse the raincoat and trench coat for one another. After all, they serve a similar purpose – and to the untrained eye, they look the same. Make no mistake though – they are very different in terms of practicality.

The trench coat is a much newer garment – aging back to the war eras of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Originally, the classic men’s trench coat was designed for military wear. That’s why the traditional look is much more color-neutral – to help those wearing them blend in with their surroundings and remain camouflaged.

These days, however, trench coats have followed a similar path as the overcoats or raincoats. They’re more laidback and modernized, using a lighter fabric and shorter lay. You’ll see men using trench coats today as luxury raincoats. The modern trench coats you see today are water-resistant and feature more design elements like epaulets, belted waists, and more. They’re designed for protection from rain – not so much freezing temperatures.

Raincoat vs Trench Coat: Which Is Best For You?

Now that you have a basic understanding of the raincoat vs trench coat debate, how can you distinguish between the two? And, which style is right for you? It’s actually pretty simple. Here is what you need to know:

With that said, the debate shouldn’t be trench coat vs raincoats. As you can see, these have unique differences in terms of practicality. It shouldn’t be a matter of which one is best for you – because they serve different purposes. You may want to invest in one of each – so you can be prepared for whatever type of weather you face.

If you wake up one morning and it’s freezing cold – but dry – you’ll be better off with the trench coat. This will keep you warm on your walk from the car to the office, or as you run errands throughout the day. Conversely, if you wake up one morning and temperatures are moderate – but the forecast calls for rain or snow – the raincoat will be your best bet. This will keep you dry and comfortable – protecting your outfit underneath.

Conclusion

There you have it – everything you need to know in the raincoat vs trench coat debate. As you can see, it’s not a matter of one or the other. A well-rounded wardrobe will have both a raincoat and a trench coat. Also, if you ever wonder the answer to the question “is a trench coat a raincoat?” then you already know the answer to it now.

But, regardless of which type of coat you end up going with, one thing is for sure: you need to make sure it fits right. Even the most luxurious, well-styled raincoat or trench coat will look silly if it’s too big or too small. This is an all too common occurrence when you shop off the rack – which is why we encourage you to go custom if you truly care about the way you look and feel.