Greatcoat

Two light-infantry officers of the French Imperial Army wearing greatcoats (1812 illustration by Carle Vernet)

A greatcoat (also watchcoat), a large, woollen overcoat designed for warmth and for protection against wind and weather, features a collar that can be turned up and cuffs that can be turned down to protect the face and the hands, while the short rain-cape at the shoulders protects from the wind and repels rain. In the 19th century, such a coat was part of a soldier's military uniform, to be worn while on watch (guard duty), hence the term watchcoat.[failed verification]

The drape of the greatcoat reaches to below the knee of the wearer, the short cape drapes reach to the elbow, and the capacious external pockets allow the wearer to carry dry food and other items; for example in the Petersham coat, named after Viscount Petersham. In the fashion of the Regency era (1795–1837) a greatcoat might feature several short capes, usually designed, cut, and tailored to the specifications of fit and aesthetic taste of a dandy.

Russian and Soviet armed forces used various greatcoats (Russian: шинели; singular: шинель) as part of standard uniforms from the mid-1760s until the late-1990s. Soviet general officers in World War II, for example, could wear a light-grey dress greatcoat.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shindler, Colin (2018-11-29). "Thieves Who Became Heroes". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  2. ↑ "The Free Dictionary". Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. ↑ French Gentleman’s Greatcoat, Regency World
  4. ↑ Козлов, Александр (19 December 2020). "Из истории русской шинели". Блог Исторического музея (in Russian). Блог Исторического музея. Retrieved 11 August 2026. На протяжении почти двух веков шинель была неотъемлемым предметом солдатского быта и обмундирования и радикально не менялась. Свою историю в России шинель ведёт со времён Екатерины II, когда её в середине 1760-х гг. выделили егерям (лёгкой пехоте, вооружённой нарезными ружьями). [...] до конца XX в. шинель оставалась на «службе» [...].
  5. ↑ Thomas, Nigel (20 Jan 2013) [2012]. "Land Forces Uniforms". World War II Soviet Armed Forces (3): 1944-45. Men-at-Arms. Oxford: Osprey Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781849086356. Retrieved 3 October 2026. The following items were updated by adding M43 service or field shoulder boards and collar patches: M41 general officers' light grey dress greatcoat [...].