paletot

Paletot is a long, tailored overcoat in Western fashion, designed to reach around the knee or mid-thigh and to present a clean, straight silhouette. It is typically worn over a suit and is regarded as a classic outerwear piece.

The term derives from the French paletot, with a history dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, when it described a simple, versatile coat worn by several social groups. In English fashion writing, paletot has come to refer to a particular style of formal, tailored overcoat.

Construction features commonly include a single-breasted front with a row of buttons and notched lapels, though double-breasted versions exist. A back vent aids movement; pockets are usually flap or welt pockets. Fabrics are typically wool or wool blends.

Variants include single-breasted paletots and double-breasted paletots. The garment sits between a frock coat and a modern topcoat in formality, more formal than a casual overcoat.

In contemporary usage, paletot descriptions are common in tailoring and fashion histories to evoke a classic, formal silhouette. Modern equivalents may be called simply an overcoat or topcoat, but the paletot label remains a reference to the traditional long, structured cut.