Overcoat

An overcoat is a type of long coat intended to be worn as the outermost garment, which usually extends below the knee.

In many countries, coats and gowns reaching below the knee have been worn for centuries, often for formal uses, establishing either social status or as part of a professional or military uniform.

In the Western world, the general profile of overcoats has remained largely unchanged for a long time.

During the Regency, the fashion was to have very form-fitting clothes, with sidebodies, waist seams, and a flared skirt.

In the 19th century, such a coat was part of a soldier's military uniform, to be worn whilst on watch (guard duty), hence the term watchcoat.