What is "coatdress"

coatdress \coatdress\ n. a dress that is tailored like a coat and buttons up the front.

n. A dress that resembles a coat, usually having a buttoning front

n. a dress that is tailored like a coat and buttons up the front

A coatdress or coat dress is a woman's dress that resembles an overcoat, usually with collar, lapels and front fastenings similar to a coat, and made in spring- or autumn-weight fabrics. The modern coatdress first emerged in the 1910s, with a 1915 article in Vogue assuring readers that the new garment could be worn over waistcoats or underdresses. The basic coatdress was a wardrobe staple for most decades, but became particularly popular in the 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, Diana, Princess of Wales, was a particularly high profile wearer of coatdresses, many designed by Catherine Walker. The coatdress is often recommended for those wishing to project a professional look, whether in the office, or in the courtroom.