New Vintage Style Coats & Jackets – 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s

Crisp days and nights mean it is time to add vintage and retro coats to our wardrobes. Currently, there are many coat trends available that compliment a vintage-inspired style. Coats cut into a full 1950s design are prevalent, so too are A-line 1960s styles and smart tailored jackets. Often during colder months, coats may be the only item of clothing immediately visible. As we envelop ourselves in cozy coats, buttoned-up against the elements, the coat becomes the stand-out piece of an outfit.

Click here to jump to men’s coat styles.

As women’s coats may conceal a proportion of the wearer’s outfit, the act of selecting a coat becomes imbued with a sense of heightened importance. Indeed, I recall as a headstrong teenager not wanting to wear my coat as I felt it didn’t ‘go’ with my outfit (or that it concealed too much of said outfit, which I had inevitably spent a good deal of time planning and perfecting).

1927 Petite Women’s Coats

Coats and jackets have been key components in the history of dress for centuries. Protecting the wearer from rain, cold temperatures, and brisk winds, a coat is the ultimate shield from the elements. For springtime, a lightweight Mackintosh may be sufficient to hold at bay those April showers. However, as the months of November and December loom upon us, a more robust garment is required.

1940s camel hair coat (Left)

Often, coats are made from wool or wool mix fibers. A cashmere mix will provide excellent warmth and is extremely soft and luxurious to the touch. As cashmere is derived from goats, camels, too, have also been utilized for their hair. The classic camel coat has an interesting history; with the British company Jaeger being at the helm of its manufacture.

Vintage and Retro Cape Coats

1922 Cape Coat

During the later Victorian years and Edwardian period, capes and cloaks were a popular choice of outerwear for ladies. Wealth could be displayed through the use of lavish textile choices, embroideries, and intricate surface decoration. By the 1920s, capes were still popular, although they were worn in a different style. The capes of the 1920s were often worn over a matching coat. The capes could be detachable, so as to provide the wearer with options to choose to include the cape or not. This style continued into the 1930s, although by this time the cape element had shortened.

Vintage inspired capes in stores now.

During the 1940s and 1950s the craze for capes and cloaks subdued. However, by the 1960s, the cape was firmly back in fashion. Cape styles of the 1960s were short, reaching to mid thigh or knee length. They were fitted at the shoulders, and usually included slits to accommodate the wearer’s arms.

1960s Mod Jacket at Unique Vintage

There is a great selection of vintage inspired capes currently available to choose from. For a 1960s style, team with brightly hued tights and smart flat shoes. Remember to wear a long sleeved garment or gloves underneath to ensure your arms stay cozy!

1960s Vintage Winter Coats

1967 coats and jackets

Each winter season, the styles of the 1960s always seem to come back into fashion. The classic short A-line coat styles of the 1960s are a versatile design. The car coat and pea coat styles offer a tailored style that easily incorporates into a vintage inspired wardrobe. From the mid 1960s, coat hemlines started to rise to coordinate with the short skirt styles favored at the time. With the hemline reaching above the knee, the classic coat styles of the 1960s offered a clean, simple silhouette.

Coat styles during the 1960s were cut straight and tailored to the body. Shop 1960s coats here. 

The simple cut of this style of coat offered opportunities for bold block colors to be used. Patterns, textures, and plaids were also popular. Today, there is a variety of vintage winter coats inspired by the 1960s, each in wonderful hues, patterns and tones to choose from.

Modcloth has a great selection of vintage and retro coat styles to buy.

1950s Vintage and Retro Coat Styles

Colorful 1950s Coats in Long, Trench and Swing Styles

The silhouette of the nipped in waist and full skirt is one that never really goes out of fashion. Evoking the romance of the nineteenth century, couturier Charles James was one of the first designers to revive this style during the 1930s. However, it was Parisian designer Dior that became synonymous with this feminine silhouette with his ‘New Look’ of 1947. Learn about 1950s coat styles.

For a 1950s look, choose from this selection of vintage winter coat styles.

Coats cut in this nipped waist, full skirted style will compliment a vast range of outfits and styles. For enthusiasts of the 1950s, this coat style is perfect for teaming with circle skirts and petticoats.

1950s style coats for sale here.

Vintage Jackets and Blazers

1940s Jackets

For those who perhaps prefer a more practical style, short jackets and blazers are perfect. Jackets have the added bonus of not concealing too much of the wearers outfit, thereby affording them to coordinate and display components.

Whether you favor tailored blazers or swing jackets, there is a great selection of vintage and retro coat styles to buy currently available.

The tailored blazer has been a design classic for years. With its sharply cut style, the blazer can easily incorporate into a vintage inspired wardrobe.

Alternatively, a leather or faux leather jacket is also a classic style. For a 1940s look, a cropped jacket is a perfect choice to accentuate the waistline of classic 1940s styles.

Vintage Plaid Coats

Plaids and plaid designs have been a popular textile design for years. With ample opportunity to combine endless color combinations, it is easy to see why plaid styles have maintained their appeal. Bold, enlarged stripes and colors are perfectly suited to a late 1940s to 1960s look, whilst muted tones and smaller designs may be incorporated into an early 1930s or 1940s look.

Plaid styles can add a pop of color to any outfit. Shop coats here. 

Swagger and swing jackets of the 1950s usually featured plaid designs. With their loose cut, the flowing voluminous shape of swing jackets proved the perfect canvas to showcase various plaid weaves and designs.

1948 Plaid Swing Coats

With so many color combinations and choices available, select a muted color palette for a versatile style. Alternatively, choose a bold and bright design to create an impact!

Learn more about the history of 1920s coats, 1940s coats, and 1950s coats.

Shop for 1920s coats, 1930s coats, 1940s coats, 1950s coats, 1960s coats, or all coats here or below.

Men’s Retro Coat Styles

1943 Men’s Trench Coats

Whether it be a classic overcoat in the style of Humphrey Bogart, a casual bomber, or a collegiate style jacket, there are plenty of classic vintage men’s coat styles to choose from. For formal clothing, an overcoat is an excellent choice. Reaching to the knee, this coat envelops the wearer in warmth and evokes a 1930s/1940s style.

Keep warm and stylish in this selection of stylish men’s vintage inspired coats and jackets.

This Charles Tyrwhitt overcoat features wool and cashmere blend fibers. Perfect for keeping both warm and stylish!

For more casual styles, short jackets are a practical choice. Many winter jackets are lined with fleece material, so as to provide additional warmth.

1950s Harrington (bomber)  Jacket at Amazon for a casual winter coat

Shop men’s vintage style coats here.

Whether you favor classic 1950s swing coats, capes, smart jackets or overcoats, there are numerous styles available to choose from. Ensure you keep warm this winter in style with a fabulous vintage inspired coat or jacket!