They make these tropes look good.
Oh sure, most coats in Real Life and fiction are worn for warmth and other kinds of protection, but just as often in fiction, they can be used to say something about a character, or add a slight touch of style to a scene. Whether it's a leather jacket, a trench coat, a suave blazer, or a fur coat, these garments can fulfill a lot of tropes.
These tropes can overlap with various other tropes, like Costume Porn, Bling of War, Rule of Glamorous, Rule of Cool.
Related:
- The Caped Index: They're like coats, but without sleeves.
- Cranium Coverings: A coat can be paired with a hat, or other something similar.
- Dresses, Gowns and Skirts: A nice thing to wear under a coat.
Tropes
- Angels in Overcoats: If angels appear on Earth, they're wearing overcoats to hide their wings.
- Badass Longcoat: Rule of Cool says the right coat makes characters look even better.
- Badass Long Robe: Same as above, but applies to a robe.
- Black Cloak: A black coat, robe, or cape, can make a character look sinister and mysterious.
- Cloak of Defense: A cloak, cape, robe, coat, jacket or shawl with special defensive properties.
- Coat Cape: Wearing a coat over the shoulders still looks cool.
- Coat, Hat, Mask: Not all superheroes use tights and capes.
- Coat Full of Contraband: Your coat is fully lined with a black market.
- Coat Over the Shoulder: Drape your jacket over one shoulder, and you can't help but look stylish.
- The Coats Are Off: Coats can add extra pounds to carry, so taking them off means one doesn't want to hold back in a fight.
- Comforting Comforter: Coats can be used in this way.
- Conspicuous Trenchcoat: There are plenty of instances where this garment stands out like a sore thumb.
- Gas Mask, Longcoat: You want your Hazmat Suit to look cool? Add a coat.
- Her Boyfriend's Jacket: Sharing this means they're going steady.
- Labcoat of Science and Medicine: In fiction, it's the most immediate way to tell someone is in these fields.
- Naked in Mink: Any fur garment will do to cover up nudity (while still implying it), but a coat is the most common.
- Not-So-Badass Longcoat: It looks iconic, even though you're not kicking ass in it.
- No Shirt, Long Jacket: The best of both being shirtless and having a cool coat.
- Pimp Duds: The classic pimp look includes a funky 70s coat.
- Plague Doctor: Add a bird mask with your coat, and you're treating some pretty heavy old-timey epidemic.
- Pretty in Mink: Luxury fur garments are commonly done as jacket and coats.
- Puddle-Covering Chivalry: Using your coat or cloak to cover a puddle so a lady can cross it.
- Raincoat of Horror: The latest in horror movie fashion.
- Sexy Coat Flashing: Guess what she's not wearing under it.
- Totem Pole Trench: In that coat are two or more smaller people standing on each other.
- Trenchcoat Brigade: John Constantine inspired wearing coats among his knockoffs.
- Trenchcoat Warfare: Hiding an arsenal in your coat lining.
- You Must Be Cold: The garment given over is often a coat.
Don't forget to put these tropes on, or you'll Catch Your Death of Cold.
