Once fading from popularity, the duffel coat is re-emerging as a fashionable choice, gaining attention from modern designers and celebrities alike.
In a surprising shift in fashion trends, the iconic duffel coat is making a notable comeback. Once a staple of early 2000s wardrobes, worn by high-profile celebrities like Alexa Chung, Taylor Swift, and Hailey Baldwin, the duffel coat, characterized by its distinctive toggle closures, had largely faded from the fashion landscape for over a decade. Its origins trace back to British sailors, but the coat found a second life amongst A-listers, only to recede from mainstream fashion visibility in recent years.
However, its revival can be traced to Chloë Sevigny, who donned a plaid duffel coat at the Marc Jacobs show during New York Fashion Week in February 2024. Sevigny has long been recognized for her ahead-of-the-curve style, and her appearance in the coat had fashion watchers suspecting that the duffel’s time in the spotlight was on the horizon once more.
Recent fashion month events have confirmed these suspicions. The duffel coat first reappeared on the runway at Prada’s Fall/Winter 2023 presentation, where it was worn by model Kendall Jenner. The trend continued with appearances at Lemaire, Altuzarra, and Burberry for the Fall/Winter 2024 collections. Most recently, the coat was featured at Coach’s Spring/Summer 2025 show.
The revival of the duffel coat is timely, as it serves as an ideal transitional outerwear piece suitable for the fluctuating weather leading into spring. For those who missed out during the coat’s previous peak in popularity, current collections offer a wide array of options. Retailers have introduced various styles that cater to modern tastes while honoring the coat’s classic silhouette, making it accessible once again.
As fashion enthusiasts anticipate the widespread return of the duffel coat, it remains to be seen how the market will respond, but early indicators suggest it will soon establish itself as a popular choice in contemporary wardrobes.
Source: Noah Wire Services
