HOW TO STYLE THE BLACK OVERCOAT

Bob Dylan’s The Man In The Long Black Coat. Jacob Elordi’s endless streetstyle looks. Daniel Craig in Spectre. Keanu Reeve’s Neo… The big black coat is to fashion what ketchup is to chips. Perfect harmony, pop culture iconography. A pairing that just makes sense.

As Mhairi Graham wrote in AnOther Magazine: “Black continues to be the anchor of style; a celebrated Gothicism and wardrobe staple,” and Adam Cheung declared in GQ: “One should never underestimate the power of an overcoat.” It’s no surprise that when you combine black and the overcoat, you get the ultimate wardrobe staple. An It item that you need in your wardrobe. A sartorial must-have, so to speak.

But how do you style your big black It coat? Which one should you buy, and how many ways can you wear it? Well, that’s where we come in…

Introducing FLANNELS 3-Ways, your new styling BFF. We’re breaking down three ways to style the most important item in your closet. The coat in question? It’s Balenciaga’s Double Breasted Cotton Overcoat, obviously. Whether you’re keeping it casual, playing it preppy or going all in, this is how to style the big black It coat, with a little help from Jacquemus, Amiri, Prada and co.

Question: how do you style a big black overcoat in a way that feels easy and effortless? Answer: like this. The silhouette is big, bad and bulky, the fit is oversized, and the details are next level…

Start simple with an easy grey hoodie via Jacquemus, in the shape of their Le Sweatshirt. Then, it’s time to go in on the cool and culty details. Amiri’s Cargo Pants in classic green camo pack a real punch (PSA: now’s the time to add a bit of Amiri to your wardrobe, with Lyst reporting that searches for the brand are up 317% post the Super Bowl after Travis Kelce donned a full Amiri look), and pair with Balenciaga’s glossy green gilet.

And when it comes to the styling, don’t stop there: add an oversized Bottega Veneta Tote Bag, a pair of statement-making khaki green Moon Boots and knitted Givenchy gloves for good measure. For a finishing touch? It’s time to get the bally out, with Givenchy’s white knitted Balaclava which features the brand’s signature logo and is ribbed for fashion pleasure.

Ethan Hawke in The Dead Poets Society, Emilio Estévez in The Breakfast Club, James Spader in, well anything: the fashion hall of fame is filled with perfectly prepped up men who generally behave terribly, but dress excellently. Think dark Academia, cut with a bit of Brat Pack, John Hughes energy. But how do you make preppy style work in 2024? And how do you make it work with your big black It coat?

Like this. Start with Acne Studios Kwanny Cardi. In two-tone pink and decked out with a diamond print knit, it wouldn’t have looked out of place on Jon Cryer in his Pretty In Pink era: it’s always a good idea to try a little tenderness with your style. Layer over an easy black tee via BOSS. On the bottom? A pair of jet-black Valentino Cargo Trousers.

For your accessories? Stick to The Dead Poets Society theme with big black, east-coast academic-style accessories. Start with Bottega Veneta’s Nylon Leather Tote Bag (which is oversized enough to fit all your big, brainy books) a rich black, logo-adorned Givenchy scarf and finish things off with a pair of ultra-luxe loafers.

You’ve mastered casual, you’ve perfected preppy, now it’s time to dress it up. With a roster of social events that’s fuller than your local on game day, your It coat has to be able to see you through from casual day plans all the way to your roster of all-night parties. And this is how to do it…

What’s better than one It coat? Two It coats. Bring your trusty Balenciaga overcoat as your plus one and then it’s time to get the party started. Pull up Prada’s cult classic Nappa Leather jacket, layer over the brands logo-less neutral, Ribbed Tank Top (which is very babygirl by the way) and add on Bottega Veneta’s soft, neutral Silk Trousers.

On your feet? A pair of chunky Dad-coded sneakers. Getting the bag? It has to be Prada’s Bique Brushed Leather Bag. To finish? Tie it all together with a Tom Ford Belt. 10/10.