A frock coat is a men's coat with full skirts that hang to the knee all the way around the body, fitted through the waist with a horizontal waist seam. It was the defining formal coat of the 19th century, worn by gentlemen, officers and statesmen alike. The easy way to remember it: a frock coat is skirted all round, while a tailcoat is cut away in front with tails only at the back.
Frock coat, tailcoat, greatcoat: tell them apart at a glance
SKIRT SHAPE IS THE FASTEST WAY TO IDENTIFY EACH COAT
The tailcoat came first as riding dress, its front cut away so a rider's legs stayed free. The frock coat rose in the 1820s and ruled formal daywear for the rest of the century. The greatcoat is the winter overcoat worn on top of either. We compare the fitted styles in detail in our Regency tailcoat guide.
A short history of the frock coat
The frock coat appeared in the early 19th century, with military origins: officers adopted long skirted coats for undress wear, and civilian fashion followed. By the Victorian era it was the uniform of respectability, buttoned to the waist seam, worn with contrasting trousers. Military versions stayed in service too. British officers wore the long skirted blue frock coat for everyday duties through the Victorian period, and double breasted frock coats marked out senior officers well into the 20th century. From the 1920s the morning coat replaced it as formal daywear, and the frock coat passed into history, theatre and style.
OUR BLACK MILITARY FROCK COAT · FULL SKIRTS, FITTED WAIST
Military frock coat vs civilian frock coat
MILITARY
Standing or high collar, regimental buttons, often braid or cord loops across the chest, sometimes double breasted. Built to signal rank and unit.
CIVILIAN
Turned down collar with lapels, plain dark wool, restrained buttons. Built to signal respectability. The Victorian gentleman's daily armour.
Who wears frock coats now?
Victorian reenactors and steampunk enthusiasts, theatre and film productions, gothic and alternative fashion, wedding parties who want drama, and pirate impressions built on the 18th century skirted coat. Every frock coat we make is handmade in wool or velvet and cut to your measurements; our sizing guide shows the five numbers to send, and back length matters most on this style.
GREEN WOOL FROCK COAT · COLONIAL AND VICTORIAN STYLE
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a frock coat and a tailcoat?
A frock coat has full skirts to the knee all the way around. A tailcoat is cut away at the front and keeps tails only at the back.
What do I wear with a frock coat?
A waistcoat, a shirt with a high or wing collar, a cravat or necktie, and trousers in a matching or contrasting shade. Boots complete a Victorian look.
Are your frock coats made to measure?
Yes. Every frock coat is handmade to order, in standard sizes or cut fully to your measurements.
Victorian, steampunk and pirate styles · Handmade to order
