Greatcoat

{{short description|Oversized, heavy overcoat}}

{{redirect|Shinel|the short story by Nikolai Gogol|The Overcoat}}

File:Grande Armée - Light Infantry Officers in Greatcoats.jpg commanded by Napoléon.]]

A greatcoat (also watchcoat) is a large, woollen overcoat designed for warmth and protection against wind and weather, and 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.{{cite web|access-date=2021-12-12|last=Shindler|first=Colin|date=2018-11-29|title=Thieves Who Became Heroes|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/all/australia-s-first-jews-thieves-who-became-heroes-1.473288|website=The Jewish Chronicle|language=en}}

File:Oldguardgreatcoat.jpg

The drape of the greatcoat reached to below the knee of the wearer, the short cape drapes to the elbow, and the capacious external pockets allow the wearer to carry dry food and other items; an example is the Petersham coat, named after Viscount Petersham.{{cite web|title=The Free Dictionary|url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/petersham|access-date=16 May 2013}} 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.[https://candicehern.com/regencyworld/french-gentlemans-greatcoat-march-1811/ French Gentleman’s Greatcoat], Regency World