Why the chore coat is the perfect fall accessory, I’m joining Mary Ann, Cindy, and a few friends to talk about fall accessories. The chore coat is my number one. It’s the ideal in-between-season jacket. It’s typically oversized, so layering is easy. A little more practical than a basic jean jacket due to the fit. It can be worn over a dress, skirt, jeans, or wool pants.
Sézane Chore Jacket
The Sézane Chore Jacket is actually called the Will Jacket. I’ve had mine for about four years, and they still make the exact jacket I bought in Paris. They have other options, including washed black, ecru, denim, Indigo, and a patchwork floral.
Sézane Offers Embroidery, making it personal
One of the things I love about this jacket from Sézane is that they offer custom embroidery. When I purchased my jacket in Paris, they had a young woman doing the embroidery right while I waited. I chose my last name, Diamond, and a small diamond emoji. Now they offer this as a complimentary option when you order. It’s a fun “accessory” for your chore coat that makes it personal.
What is a Chore Coat & Why You Need One
This one breaks the rule of being made out of heavy twill. It’s from Buck Mason, and it’s boiled wool. It still has that oversized fit that allows me to layer sweaters and even a hooded sweatshirt under it comfortably. This jacket will take me into December with a hat and a pair of gloves!
Characteristics of the Chore Coat
A chore coat is made of heavy twill, button closures, and big pockets. It’s oversized, making it easy to comfortably layer a shirt or sweatshirt. They can be machine washed, and since they are made of heavy twill, they do not need ironing.
What is the history of the chore coat or chore jacket?
While we were in France last month, we went to the largest flea market in Paris, and we saw racks of French blue chore coats. It didn’t really occur to me to look into the history of the chore coat until I saw the blue chore coats at the flea market and then all over the streets of Paris! New York Times Fashion Photographer Bill Cunningham wore a chore coat all over NYC while riding his bike.
The blue chore coat first emerged in 19th-century France, becoming the daily uniform for laborers, railroad engineers, and farmers. It was made of heavy, durable fabric with large pockets for things like tools that workers would need on the job.
Today, I love to wear a chore coat in the city. The deep front pockets hold my wallet and my phone, and I can skip carrying a bag. Chore coat season is my favorite for that reason alone!
This is a little video I made in Paris on the blue chore coat once worn by Bill Cunningham
More accessories I love…
I still love socks with loafers. I’ve been doing it since the 1980s. You can read more in this post. I’m even thinking this is the year I’ll wear them with Birkenstocks. (audible gasp)!! I love it when I see Linda V. Wright on Instagram wearing them in Paris!
We talked about The Collected Look in Fashion in this post. I still wear every piece in this post. The thing about collected fashion (and decor) is that it’s timeless.
My spring fashion post is not all that dissimilar from my fall fashion post. You can see that here.
Now Let’s Go See What Mary Ann, Cindy, Brenda, and Tania have to say about accessories in fall fashion
Classic Casual Home Mary Ann
Cindy Hattersley Design Cindy
1010 Park Place Brenda
50 Is Not Old Tania
Shop the Post
Why the Chore Coat is the Perfect Fall Accessory
Recommended Posts
annie diamond
Owner/Creator at Most Lovely Things
- Easy to Wear Casual Holiday Clothes from Garnet Hill
- It’s September, and Everyone is Back to Wearing All Black
- The best all-natural moth repellent to protect your clothes
- A Fashion Trend for fall that you might love!
- How to make all-natural moth repellent sachets
- The Mac Coat from Everlane is my favorite Trench Coat
- Read Receipts Girls & Everlane
- Cindy Hattersley + Rough Luxe Lifestyle Blog at Christmas
- The one piece of clothing you need this winter: A Bouclé Coat
Lovely recommendations thank you Annie. I bought the Sezane Willa Jacket last year in a rust color and l love it. I am going to try my loafers with socks take care !
Francesca! I love the rust one! I saw it this year! Did you get yours embroidered? Your name is so beautiful it would be cool to have it even in rust on rust!
That chore coat is so special! I would hate to wear it to do any chores ha ha. I love how you can take a simple coat and own it! I always think of David Letterman (socks with loafers) a classic look. I am on the hunt for a great pair of loafers. I just need to find a pair that comes in wide in order to accommodate the dreaded bunion. I can’t wait to hear about your trip!
hahaha….Cindy, I don’t do any chores! I just think about doing them! I wonder if the new Prada loafers would be good! They seemed wide, and they made my large foot look even larger.