coattails

Coattails are the tails of formal coats, often extending below the waist in traditional tailcoats. In a figurative sense, the term coattails refers to the advantage gained by association with a successful person or organization.

In politics, the coattail effect describes how a popular candidate at the top of a party's ticket can improve performance of other party candidates in the same election, as voters align with the party as a whole. The strength of the coattail effect depends on factors like the visibility of the top candidate, the election type, and local partisan alignment; it can help or hurt depending on circumstances.

The expression riding on someone's coattails or riding on the coattails is used to describe someone who benefits from another's reputation, status, or success, often in elections or business.

In fashion, coattails refer to the extended back portion of a tailcoat or similar garments; historically worn by formal attire for men and women's evening wear. Tail length and style vary by fashion era, and the term persists in descriptive language even when tailcoats are less common.

The term is metaphorical and used in various domains to denote indirect benefit from association with a successful or popular person or brand, rather than a direct achievement of the individual or group itself.