{{Short description|Men's overcoat}} A '''Guards Coat''' or '''Guard's Coat''' (sometimes '''Guardsman's coat''') is a men's overcoat which has a half-belt in the back,<ref name="artofmanliness"> {{cite web | url= http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/12/11/mans-guide-overcoats/ | title= A Man's Guide to Overcoats | publisher= artofmanliness.com | date= December 11, 2012 | access-date =2013-11-03 }} </ref> and is based on the coat that used to be worn by English officers of the guard.<ref name="gentlemansgazette" /> It is a double-breasted garment in either a 6x3 (more traditional) or 6x2 (more formal) configuration; in a 6x3 configuration, all three working buttons can be fastened, or just the bottom two.<ref name="artofmanliness" /> The half-belt can be adjusted with buttons (more traditional) or sewn in place (more formal). The Guards Coat has either an Ulster collar (more traditional) or peaked lapels (more formal), turn-back cuffs (traditional) or button cuffs (formal), and welt or flap pockets.<ref name="putthison"> {{cite web | url= http://putthison.com/post/102882249030/four-favorite-overcoats-a-classic-mens-overcoat | title= Four Favorite Overcoats | date= 17 November 2014 | publisher= putthison.com | access-date= 2016-11-08}} </ref> It comes mostly in formal colours such as a deep navy or midnight blue, and is more formal than the more countrified Ulster coat.<ref name="gentlemansgazette"> {{cite web | url= http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/guardscoat/ | title= The Guards Coat | last= Schneider | first= Sven Raphael | publisher= gentlemansgazette.com | date= March 25, 2010 | access-date =2013-11-03 }} </ref> 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.<ref name="artofmanliness" />
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Category:Coats (clothing)
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