When it’s time to visit your closet in summer or fall, you will obviously try to find a long coat to use as a thin-layer outfit for that time of year. Furthermore, we bet you have stylish clothes in your wardrobe that is both classic and trendy, creating a fashionable mix. As a result, we hope that you have trench coats as well as dusters hanging inside your wardrobe.
However, what will be your choice when you want only one at a time? Besides, what should you choose when you need to shop for such an outfit? All these questions will fly away from your mind if you read this article about duster vs trench coat thoroughly.
A Duster Coat
A duster is actually a lightweight coat that has no buttons. Luckily, this full-length coat is a perfect outfit for the entire year. If you look at the raw materials, a duster coat is originally made using linen or light-colored canvas.
The name “duster” came from the horsemen who used these coats to protect their clothes from dust. As the duster is suitable to wear for horsemen, it has a slit in the back from the bottom to the hip level. Not to mention, some variations have button-able rear slits to fit with the situation.
In reality, the duster was invented to protect from harsh weather conditions. But, in modern life, the duster means any kind of full-length coat. These coats are now considered fashionable outer garments for both men and women. Additionally, people choose this coat for its loose-fitting and lightweight characteristics.
A Trench Coat
Simply, a trench coat is a long coat that comes with a belt. Typically, the length of this coat is near the knees, and it can cover almost the full body. Besides, a trench coat comes with a loose double-breasted feature, which is suitable for both genders. If you want a casual or professional look, this coat can be a great option for you.
One of the greatest benefits of a trench coat is its build material. Generally, manufacturers use waterproof materials such as cotton gabardine to make it water-resistant. For this reason, you will find this coat type to be used in the military sometimes.
Because of the similarity with the military coats, it has wide lapels on the double-breasted zone and ten buttons at the front. In addition, you will find pockets on the front that are close to buttons and a waist belt that straps around the wrists. Besides, the trench coat has shoulder straps that close using buttons and all these features are similar to the military outfit.
Though there is only one traditional color for trench coats named “Khaki”, you can also get these in different colors from the modern market.
Duster And Trench Coat – Differences Between Them
As you know, both dusters and trench coats are long coats that end below the knee. While both can protect you from cold, they serve several different purposes as well. Here are some of the differences between the two.
1. Length
We don’t need to mention again that both of these coats are long enough to reach the knee. However, the major difference between a duster and a trench coat is its length. Because, the duster is a full-length coat, whereas the trench coat reaches only near the knee.
Usually, the duster covers the whole body from top to bottom to protect the whole area from trail dust. But, the trench coat is not used for dust protection. Therefore, the full-length is not necessarily considered here.
2. Materials
The common material to make a duster is linen, whereas a trench coat is made using gabardine. Because of the linen, the duster does not hold dust on its surface and is perfect for horse riding. Not to mention, some dusters come with a light-colored canvas, which can also perform in the same way.
Manufacturers use cotton gabardine to make the trench coat look like a perfect coat-type outfit that gives a smooth feeling. For using such waterproof material, you can use it in rainy seasons or foggy weather. Coupled with that benefit, it can also keep you warm in cold weather.
3. Features
If you consider a duster, you’ll always look for the feature to cover the whole area of your body. Because the main reason for making this coat is to protect the full body from dust and sand. As the coat was invented for horsemen, it has a back slit feature from the bottom to the hip. Though the slitting was added to ride horses wearing a flexible coat, it also created a fashionable design for that coat.
Apart from those features, you will get some more buttonable rear slits to include more flexibility. By the same token, there are leg straps attached to the coat to hold the flaps in place. Other mentionable features, like reinforced rear saddle gusset, detachable cape, large fantail, adjustable drawstrings, etc., are also included in a duster coat.
Despite being shorter than a duster, the trench is a long coat, which features a double-breasted collar, including a belt at the waist. This waterproof-made coat can cover almost the full body, keeping it warm and safe from damping. To be specific, the design and features of the trench coat match with a military coat.
Primarily, a trench coat has front buttons and pockets, including a double-breasted design with wide lapels. Besides, you will get straps around the wrists and a belt around the waists, which don’t look so bad at all. And, the shoulder straps come with a button closure.
4. Uses
The effective use of a duster is to protect the whole body from several weather conditions and excess dust in regular use. The duster is a good choice when traveling in dusty places and riding horses. However, this type of coat can suit any season of the year. So, you can use it constantly throughout the entire year.
On the other hand, the trench coat is usually worn in cold or light foggy weather. When a light cold is waving around you, this outfit can be a great solution for you. In most cases, the military-type look of this coat represents a fashionable and casual appearance.
Conclusion
Differentiating these two types of coats is easy because of their length and raw materials. Despite looking almost identical from a simple perspective, they are not the same. When you take a close look at them, they feature many different usability and characteristics.
And of course, we will suggest a duster if you need both protection from dust and a compatible coat for riding your horse. In contrast, we recommend using a trench coat when you want a professional, stylish look as well as water protection, including a warm feeling.
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