Women's Funeral Coats: What to Wear Over a Funeral Outfit
Most of the advice written about funeral clothing is about the dress or the suit. The coat gets forgotten, which is odd, because at a British funeral the coat is usually the only thing anyone sees. You arrive in it, you stand at the graveside in it, and in a cold church you keep it on throughout.
Black, or is charcoal acceptable?
Black is the safest choice and no one will ever question it. Charcoal and very dark navy are also perfectly acceptable, and in some families are the norm. What matters more than the exact shade is that the coat is plain and dark. Avoid camel, cream, pale grey and anything bright, unless the family has specifically asked for colour, which is increasingly common at a celebration of life.
Length matters more than you would think
A coat that stops above the hem of a dress or skirt looks unfinished, and it photographs badly in the group shots that families often take afterwards. A long coat, cut to or below the knee, covers whatever you are wearing underneath and means you never have to think about the line of it. It also keeps your legs out of the wind at a graveside, which in November is not a small thing.
Fabric, and why wool is worth it
Funerals involve a great deal of standing still outdoors, often in a churchyard with no shelter. A wool coat holds warmth without bulk, hangs cleanly rather than crumpling, and does not rustle when you move. A thin fashion coat will not do the job in January, and a padded or puffer coat, however warm, reads as casual in a way that is hard to recover from.
The details to avoid
- Bright or patterned linings that flash when you move. If you own a coat with a bold lining, keep it buttoned, or choose one with a black lining instead.
- Large gold or decorative buttons. Covered, horn or plain dark buttons are quieter.
- Fur trims, faux or otherwise, which draw the eye.
- Belts that need fussing with. You will be putting the coat on and off at the church, the car and the wake.
- Strong perfume on a coat that has been in storage. Air it the night before.
What if it rains
A plain black mac or trench is entirely appropriate and often more practical than wool for a graveside in heavy rain. Keep it belted neatly rather than tied in a loose knot, and the same rules on colour and length apply.
Which of ours to choose
Our women's funeral overcoats are all plain black and cut long. The single breasted covert overcoat with a black lining is the most understated of them. The double breasted overcoat is the warmest and the most formal, and should be worn buttoned. If you would like to see the full range rather than just the black, that is in women's coats.
Funerals are usually arranged at short notice, so UK orders placed before the cut off are dispatched the next working day with free tracked delivery. If you are between sizes or unsure what will sit over a jacket, the women's fit guide walks through it.
A last thought
The point of all of this is to not have to think about it on the day. A plain, warm, well cut black coat lets you turn up, stand where you need to stand, and put your attention where it belongs.