If You Buy One New Coat This Fall, Make It *This* Trending Style You Can Wear with Almost Anything
Practical and chic
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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 as you may have already noticed, it appears there’s a new classic style taking over as fall’s number one must-have. I am, of course, talking about the barn coat. This utilitarian topper won’t be fading from the spotlight any time soon, so if you haven’t already hopped on board, now is definitely the time to try it out.
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What Is a Barn Coat?
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 longline, patent-finish 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 little 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 six ways to style a barn coat this fall and beyond, plus my favorite picks to shop ASAP to stay ahead of the sartorial curve.
How to Style a Barn Coat in 2025
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1. Wear a Barn Coat with Updated Classics
You can’t go wrong pairing a timeless jacket with other timeless wardrobe staples, like pointy-toe boots, button-up shirts and jeans. That said, adding some unexpected twists into your outfit can help elevate the whole thing to appear far more modern, while simultaneously avoiding looking dated or overly trendy. Swap a white button-up for chambray denim and layer it over a tissue-thin turtleneck. Or try a pair of patent-leather boots in burgundy or deep green. And for a finishing touch? A pair of ‘60s-inspired colorful sunglasses.
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2. Or Pair One With Other Major Trends
Leopard print, lace detailing, bubble letter jewelry—these are some of the top trends for fall 2025, right alongside the barn coat. So why not combine them into one ultra-cool ‘fit? Choose one or two of your favorite “of the moment” pieces, be it a mash-up of plaids, rugby shirt or a splash of chartreuse, to wear with your barn coat for a look that would blend right in during Fashion Week.
Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images
3. Connect a Range of Aesthetics with Color
One of my favorite styling tricks for making two seemingly opposing items feel more cohesive is to stick with just one color or color family. For example, a workhouse jacket like a barn coat wouldn’t usually make much sense paired with a polished pencil skirt and stiletto pumps. But by having choosing only pieces in complimentary shades of beige and brown (including her top, handbag and gold jewelry), the outfit suddenly makes perfect sense. And now you have a handy way to get far more use out of your go-to weekend outerwear.
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4. Play with Oversize Proportions
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.
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5. 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.
Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images
6. 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. Look for a style that adds or subtracts—like an interesting color, extra long or short length, or as part of a matching set—without losing those elements essential to the vibe of a barn coat. You can also opt for a more classic cut but in a funky print (say, dainty florals) or unexpected fabric (suede would be oh-so dreamy). The key is to make this trend work for you, not the other way around.
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 and a corduroy collar with a super-easy to use 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 nine years now: They’re incredibly durable, easy to clean and never go out of style.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: US 2 to 14
- Materials: 100 percent waxed cotton
J.Crew has a wide range of cute barn jacket options, ranging from long patent-finished ones to cropped and even a puffer version. But this supremely classic camel brown number is as timeless as it gets, making it well worth the splurge, IMO. And despite that iconic brown corduroy collar and beige cotton canvas body, this jacket also has a few unexpected hidden surprises. First is a leopard print lining finished with a bright red trim to add a little something extra just for you. The fit of the sleeves is also adjustable with trench coat-inspired cuffs. And the whole thing is both machine washable and water repellant.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXXS to 3X
- Materials: 100 percent cotton
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. Those matching corduroy cuffs can be rolled up or down to fit your mood.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XXL, also Petite and Tall
- Materials: 100 percent cotton
If you don’t adore the midi length of a classic barn coat, try this cropped A&F style instead. It comes in three timeless colors (wash black, olive green and tan), all of which comes with a wax coating to better protect you from inclement weather. It’s also machine washable, though I’d stick with cold or cool water to help maintain that water repellant treatment. The cropped fit is reportedly super flattering on petite frames, and while some reviewers say this jacket runs large, most still recommend getting your usual size to ensure peak comfort while layering.
FAST FACTS
- Size Range: XXS to XL
- Materials: polyester and cotton
Another way to break from tradition is to opt for a brighter color like this rich red by Alex Mill. (BTW, it also comes in six other fun shades, like navy, green and blue-wash denim.)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
Editor
- Covers fashion, trends and all things running
- Received certification as an RRCA run coach
- Has worked in fashion for over a decade
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