In the 2000s, everyone owned a duffel coat, like Alexa Chung, Taylor Swift, and Hailey Baldwin before she was a Bieber. A duffel coat is characterised by its toggle closures, and was originally worn by British sailors before the A-list got their hands on them. But since the duffel coat’s major moment as a must-have, it faded into obscurity a bit. The coat hasn’t really been in the fashion zeitgeist for over a decade, and certainly hasn’t been spotted on that many celebrities or runways. That is, until very recently.
We should have assumed this would happen after the coolest girl in the world turned coolest mom in the world, Chloë Sevigny, wore a plaid duffle coat to the Marc Jacobs show in New York last February. It was a sign that the coat would be back. But because Sevigny is always light years ahead of the rest of us, it wasn’t until recently that the coat seems to have seriously trickled onto the runways.
Alexa Chung at NYFW in February 2010.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Taylor Swift wearing a duffel coat in London in November 2010.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Hailey Bieber in Manhattan wearing a duffel coat in January 2016.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Chloë Sevigny wearing a plaid duffel coat at the Marc Jacobs show in February 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
It was first spotted at Prada, worn by Kendall Jenner, during the Fall/Winter 2023 show. Then it was seen at Lemaire that same season. It quietly popped up at Altuzarra and Burberry for Fall/Winter 2024. This past fashion month, we spotted it at Coach for Spring/Summer 2025.
It’ll be no time at all before the duffel coat is everywhere, as it once was. But why not get ahead of the trend? It is the perfect transitional coat after all for these not-too-cold but not-too-hot times before spring really sets in. And if you’ve always dreamed of having one in the 2000s during the coat’s major heyday but never added one to your cart, now is certainly the time.
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Altuzarra Fall/Winter 2024
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
Burberry Spring/Summer 2024
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics)
(Image credit: Lemaire Fall/Winter 2023)
CONCLUSION
Shop the best duffel coats, below.
L.L. Bean
Classic Lambswool Duffel Coat
Anthropologie
Nvlt Duffle Coat
ZARA
Double-Faced Toggle Jacket
Kule
The Brooks Faux Shearling Coat
Free People
We the Free Heritage Wax Duffle Coat
Free People
We the Free Duffle Puffer
Mercer Collective
Stephanie Faux Shearling Coat
Alex Mill
Aubrey Toggle Sweater Jacket
Burberry
Wool Duffle Coat
Universal Standard
Highlands Duffle Coat
LEMAIRE
Black Duffle Coat
JACQUEMUS
Black ‘the Cabana Duffle’ Jacket
Andersson Bell
Tan Oversized Peacoat
TOTEME
Leather-Trimmed Shearling Jacket
Bottega Veneta
Knotted Wool Hood Coat