How the likes of Messrs Eddie Redmayne and Alessandro Squarzi wear the overcoat of the season.

Deciding on a coat for winter can be quite the momentous task. What colour? What shape? Should I go above the knee or below? Can’t I just hibernate until spring?

When you throw in transient seasonal trends and technical fabric innovations, the whole proposition becomes somewhat overwhelming. So, to cut through the noise, we’ve decided to focus on one specific class of garment: the trusty, timeless double-breasted overcoat.

It’s a top layer that presents a wonderful dichotomy. On one hand, formal enough to be worn over a suit; on the other, resplendent with dressed-down weekend attire. Below, find three alluring examples modelled by men of great style.

There is often a good reason why the safest option is just that, a prime example of this being the navy overcoat. This contemporary version looks especially modern as worn by fashion editor and stylist Mr Robert Rabensteiner – with wide-legged trousers in a charming light blue, atop the shoe of the moment: the ugly sneaker.

Men who are shorter in stature might consider the peacoat (which ends at the hip) a steadfast alternative. Either way, keep the collar firmly popped and the last button undone.

Street-style paragon and Style Council member Mr Alessandro Squarzi cuts a fine shape here with a wide peak lapel and a bold Prince of Wales check – this kind of thing is, of course, very much on trend at the moment, as we recently noted in The Journal.

Teamed with a pair of chinos and leather brogues, this is a shrewd way of wearing the season’s hardest-to-nail shade: brown. If you find the overall effect a tad drab, follow Mr Squarzi’s lead and add a pop of bright red or some other primary colour.

What better for Hollywood superstar Mr Eddie Redmayne than a super-sized herringbone pattern, especially when cut into such a classic shape.

If, as Mr Redmayne so often is, you are suddenly summoned to a formal event, a coat such as this would look perfectly sharp worn over a sharp, dark coloured suit. But equally, it’s an astute choice for a pub lunch when paired with slim-fit jeans and clean navy sneakers. Just be sure to wear the collar up in order to show off the striking contrast trim.

The men featured in this story are not associated with and do not endorse MR PORTER or the products shown

Keep up to date with The Daily by signing up to our weekly email roundup. Click here to update your email preferences