sack-coat

A man wears a dark blue sack-coat over a white shirt and trousers.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of men's coat: "sack-coat" refers to a loose-fitting, single-breasted coat for men, typically having a straight, unbelted back and no waist seam, often worn as part of a business or informal suit.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He wore a simple sack-coat to the office, preferring comfort over a tailored fit. (A loose men's coat without a defined waist.)
  • The vintage sack-coat from the 1920s had a relaxed silhouette and patch pockets. (A historical style of men's outer garment.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sack-coat" in historical fashion: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the sack-coat was a popular alternative to the more formal frock coat, often worn for daytime business or casual occasions.
  • By the 1890s, the sack-coat had replaced the frock coat as standard attire for businessmen. (It became the norm for less formal professional wear.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sack (n): a large bag made of strong material, or a loose-fitting garment (as in "sack dress").
  • The term "sack-coat" derives from the coat's baggy, sack-like shape.

Synonyms

• Lounge coat: a British term for a similar men's coat, often used interchangeably.
• Business coat: a coat designed for professional or informal wear.
• Suit coat: a more general term for the jacket of a suit, though sack-coat specifically implies a looser cut.

Related Idioms

• No direct idioms: The word "sack-coat" is primarily a historical fashion term and does not appear in common idiomatic expressions.