Guards Coat


A Guards Coat or Guard's Coat is a men's Overcoat which has a half belt in the back, and is based on the coat that used to be worn by English Officers of the Guard. It is a double-breasted garment in either a 6x3 or 6x2 configuration; in a 6x3 configuration, all three working buttons can be fastened, or just the bottom two. The half-belt can be adjusted with buttons or sewn in place. The Guards Coat has either an Ulster collar or peaked lapels, turn-back cuffs or button cuffs, and welt or flap pockets. It comes mostly in formal colours such as a deep navy or midnight blue, and is more formal than the more countrified Ulster coat. These features mean that in its most formal configuration, it is largely similar to a Paletot or double-breasted Chesterfield coat, being distinguished primarily by its color and the presence of the half-belt in back; in its most traditional configuration, it is similar to a military greatcoat but without epaulets, or to a capeless Ulster coat but with a half-belt, different pockets and more formal fabric.