If You Buy 1 New Coat This Fall, Make It *This* Trending Style You Can Wear with Almost Anything
Practical and chic
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
Abby Hepworth for PureWow
I love a trendy jacket as much as the next gal, but when it comes to building a fall capsule wardrobe, the smarter approach is to invest in a handful of classic pieces that will last for multiple seasons. For autumn, that has most often meant a trench coat or wool blazer (or even a cozy shacket), but I’m here to report that there’s a new classic style slowly but surely taking over for 2024. Mark my words, the barn coat will soon be everyone’s new favorite outerwear trend for the foreseeable future.
Want to know which buzzy products are *really* worth buying? Sign up for our shopping newsletter to uncover our favorite finds.
What Is a Barn Coat?
As you may have guessed based on the name, the barn coat was originally designed for farmers who needed something warm and durable that they could easily move in while working during the colder months of the year. They feature a boxy cut with lots of pockets, a corduroy collar and, usually, a water-resistant or waterproof finish to protect from inclement weather. They can look classically rugged (a la Barbour’s signature wax-coated jackets) or zhuzhed up for more of a posh vibe (like this cropped plaid J.Crew number). And while there are tons of brands currently stocking their fall collections with barn coats aplenty, I’ve also seen an uptick in folks searching for secondhand versions, like old-school L.L.Bean or Lands’ End barn coats, for a vintage look.
How Is It Different from a Chore or Field Coat?
All of these workwear-inspired coats have similar features—dotted with multiple large pockets, made from durable materials, boxy cut, etc.—and all are chic options for fall, but barn coats do have a handful of specific traits to help them stand out. The most obvious is a contrasting corduroy collar. This could be flipped up for extra warmth while working the in the field, but for city living simply adds a chic extra touch to your ‘fit. The second thing that can ID a barn coat is the fabric. Chore and field coats tend to be much lighter and less structured, and usually lack a waterproof or water-resistant finish. This makes the barn coat a fabulous layering piece to wear all through winter, worn over cozy sweaters or soft flannels.
Read on for five ways to style a barn coat this fall, plus one look you should retire in favor of more modern options.
How to Style a Barn Coat in 2024
1. Wear a Barn Coat with Updated Classics
You can’t go wrong pairing a timeless jacket with other timeless wardrobe staples, like ballet flats, button-up shirts and jeans. Then again, you can always opt to put a modern spin on those other pieces—swap summery mesh flats for buttery brown suede or trade your usual cropped jeans for a barrel-leg silhouette. These small tweaks will make a fairly basic outfit appear more modern, while simultaneously avoiding looking dated or overly trendy.
Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
3. Embrace the Sandwich Rule of Dressing
The Sandwich Rule is a hack for putting together chic outfits I first learned from stylist Lydia Tomlinson and refers to balancing one piece on your bottom half with another on your top half and including something contrary in the middle, like the bread and filling of a sandwich. In this case, it’s the green socks that harken back to the green jacket and help make an otherwise all-black outfit feel fresh and interesting.
Christian Vierig/Getty Images
6. Play with Oversize Propotions
If you prefer a barn coat with a roomier fit, try layering it over a miniskirt to have some fun with contrasting proportions. You can also push up the sleeves above the cuffs of a sweater for an unexpected layered effect, or contrast all that fabric with a slim-fitting knit midi. Play around with the ideas that opposites attract to find cool new outfits that are less obvious than simple jeans and a tee.
Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images
5. Try a Barn Coat with a Twist
If you’re not yet sold on the workwear vibes of a classic barn coat, you can always try a jacket that nods to the trend without being quite so literal. A longer version, like the coat pictured above, can give a more polished, elegant vibe, while a cropped silhouette will ultimately feel sportier. You can also opt for a more classic cut but in a funky print (say, dainty florals) or fabric (suede would be oh-so dreamy). The key is to make this trend work for you, not the other way around.
Daniel Zuchnick/Getty Images
6. Avoid: Skinny Jeans and Riding Boots
Truth is there isn’t anything truly bad about this preppy combination—it’s just that the whole thing feels a bit too on the nose and very 2012. Try swapping in a denim maxi skirt or a chunky loafer (or even some moto boots) instead to refresh your old favorites into something cooler.
The Best Barn Coats to Shop Now
This L.L.Bean number is as classic as it gets, folks. It has a corduroy collar and cuffs, as well as a flannel lining for extra coziness. There are also two side-slit pockets to keep your hands warm as you walk. It comes in both the beige (pictured above), as as well as a timeless olive green, and reviewers say the sizing is spot on, so you can go ahead and add your usual jacket size to your shopping cart ASAP.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XS to 3X, also Petite
- Materials: cotton canvas, cotton flannel and nylon blend with cotton corduroy collar and cuffs
If weather proofing is important to you, you can’t go wrong with a Barbour barn coat. Beloved by the royal family for decades, this British brand makes a wide range of barn jacket styles, whether you prefer a roomier oversized fit, a cropped silhouette, patchwork detailing, a rain-proof wax coating and more. This specific style is a wonderfully timeless variation that features a tartan lining, corduroy collar, removable drawstring hood, two-way zipper and tons of pockets. No, the brand doesn’t come cheap, but take it from someone who has owned her very own Barbour barn coat for going on eight years now: They’re incredibly durable, easy to clean and never go out of style.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 4 to 14
- Materials: 100 percent waxed cotton
If you want something that combines the practicality of a barn jacket with the look of a trench coat, J.Crew has you covered. This maxi-length silhouette, which hits about mid calf, still has that signature corduroy collar and slotted vent at the back, but pares down on pockets. It also has a wax coating to give you protection from the rain, and is fully lined to provide extra warmth as temperatures continue to drop. As for colors, you can choose between the dark green above, black, tan and a miniature plaid that I can’t stop thinking about.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXXS to 3X, also Petite
- Materials: 100 percent cotton
This Orvis number feels every bit as comfortable as a vintage coat you’ve owned for years, just without any of the usual vintage pitfalls (like unexpected tears or unpleasant odors). It has a super-soft flannel lining and boasts not two, nor four, but six pockets—two flap pockets on the hip, two flap pockets on the chest and two flannel-lined slot pockets for your hands, right in the middle. It’s also machine washable for easy cleaning, though it does not have the same waterproofing as other wax coated styles on this list.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XS to XL
- Materials: cotton canvas
I highly recommend this Old Navy beauty for those who prefer a more minimalist look. It has a sleek straight cut and two simple patch pockets in front, but the corduroy collar and duo of a front zipper and snap storm flap maintain those classic barn coat vibes I love so much. The cotton-blend fabric is not waterproof, but reviewers say it is cozy and warm, with just the right amount of weight for crisp autumn days. It also reportedly fits true to size, and even comes in Tall sizes for those who want some extra length in the sleeves and body.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XS to 4X, also Tall
- Materials: 98 percent cotton, 2 percent spandex
I knew this plaid cutie was a must have the moment I laid eyes on it. The colorful print is such a fabulous twist on a classic barn coat and is such an easy way to zhuzh up an otherwise simple fall outfit. Reviewers so say it runs large, however if you hope to layer chunkier sweaters and knits underneath, you might be best off sticking with your usual size. P.S. Roll up the sleeves to get a peek of the chic navy lining with lavender piping.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XXL
- Materials: 100 percent cotton
Another way to break from tradition is to opt for a brighter color (i.e. not beige or olive green), like this rich red by Alex Mill. The waxed coating gives you protection from the rain, and also lends a worn-in, vintage vibe to the gorgeous red cotton. It has two flap pockets and two slit pockets on the front, as well as a hidden pocket inside the jacket ideal for stowing your phone. Just note, it is designed for an oversize fit, so you may want to size down one from your usual if you prefer a more streamlined silhouette.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XL
- Materials: 100 percent cotton
This A&F jacket replaces the barn coat’s typical corduroy collar with faux leather instead for a more elevated finish. There is also a quilted lining to ensure you stay warm and cozy, even with Jack Frost nipping at your nose. And while the fabric is not water resistant, it is machine washable—yes, even that faux-leather collar—for easy cleaning and care.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XL
- Materials: cotton shell with faux-leather collar
Part barn coat, part chore jacket, this minimalist Everlane design is lightweight and great for layering. I love that the corduroy collar matches the color of the cotton body for a monochrome finish, and the oversize buttons down the front are incredibly cute. As for sizing, reviewers agree this silhouette fits true to size, but if you do want to wear is as a coat over thicker knits, you’ll likely want to size up.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XXL
- Materials: 100 percent organic cotton
Editor
- Covers fashion, trends and all things running
- Received certification as an RRCA run coach
- Has worked in fashion for over a decade
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
