Stupid question: What's the difference between a coat & a jacket?

[Arugula Latte]

I've never quite known ... :shrug:

[Deep13]

1. Jacket ends at the waist. Coat is longer.

[Arugula Latte]

3. Okay, got it. Thanks.

Sheesh -- you'd think I'd know that by age 40!

:hi:

[calico1]

2. Well for me, a coat reaches at least to your knees,

a jacket can reach just to your waist or maybe a little longer.

[Arugula Latte]

4. Jacket -- shorter. Coat -- longer. Got it.

Thanks! :hi:

[calico1]

5. So do you have a jacket or a coat?

:D

[tk2kewl]

7. But why is formal wear sometimes referred to as coat and tie?

Does that mean the suit jacket is coat-lengthed?

[calico1]

9. Hmmmm

I've never heard coat and tie. I have heard suit and tie. But who knows? I thought this was simple.:D

[Arugula Latte]

11. Nothing is simple!

:crazy:

[trof]

26. "Formal wear" is usually tuxedo, or tails. Possibly "dinner jacket"?

I've never heard of a "dinner coat".
Business formal - coat and tie?

[Bunny]

6. I think the length pretty much defines them, but I also think of

a jacket as something worn when it's a little coolish, whereas a coat is what's worn when it's downright cold. Regardless of the length of either. Do not rely on me for fashion tips, I am hopeless.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. Jacket=cool weather Coat= Freaking cold weather.

Today, I'm wearing a coat...and it doesn't go past my waist. :hi:

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. Then it's a heavy jacket, not a coat...

it's length, not weight, that determines the difference.

I wear a coat in cool weather AND cold weather; I have a trench coat with a full-length, long-sleeved wool liner--it's comfortable in weather from below freezing and icy up to 70F and raining.

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. Nope. Bought it at London Fog outlet. Tag said coat. It's a coat.

:hi:

[wildhorses]

12. with regards to suits--

could one have a suit jacket and/or a suit coat depending on the length of said jacket and/or said coat:shrug:




edited for typo:eyes:

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. With regard to suits

The coat goes over the jacket. One removes the coat and checks it, along with one's hat, upon arrival.

[wildhorses]

15. so the jacket of a suit can be any length?

I am starting to confused:crazy:

[Oeditpus Rex]

19. No

A suit jacket goes to high-thigh, just below the pants pockets. The coat goes over the jacket and is longer — usually about four inches above the knees.

[wildhorses]

21. so then it takes both a jacket and a coat, a vest, and slacks

in order to have a "complete suit":shrug:

[Oeditpus Rex]

23. Not really

I think suit coats — otherwise known as topcoats — are a regional thing, or else their time has passed. In mild climates, you don't see guys wearing coats with suits.

[wildhorses]

24. ---okie dokie

;)

[trof]

18. Is that a sports coat you're wearing? Or a sport jacket?

Oh dear.
;-)

[kmla]

16. A coat is a layer of paint.

A jacket is that sleeve thingie around a Hot Pocket.

Was that the answer you were looking for?

:D

[Parche]

17. jacket

I would have to ask Phil Collins 'No Jacket Required'

[Divameow77]

20. Do they maybe mean the same thing

as in Dinner vs. Supper?

[Jamastiene]

22. If I call it a jacket, someone in the room will pipe in and say

I'm wrong and that it's a coat. And if I say it's a coat, someone in the room will pipe in and say I'm wrong and that it's a jacket. It all depends on which one I call it at the time. No matter what, I call it the wrong thing. That's the main difference that I see. Hope this helped. :P

[Arugula Latte]

27. Yes, that clears it up.

Note to self: "Coat" and "Jacket" are the opposite of what Jamastiene thinks. Got it. :hi:

[Shine]

25. the spelling?

:shrug:

:D

I've always thought of a jacket as a shorter version of a coat, and less formal, too.