# Can anybody identify the name of this style of coat (cosplay/steampunk/theater/etsey-etc.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 31, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285 "2015-05-31T21:14:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/1 "2015-05-31T21:14:50Z")
[This is the opening number](https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=16&v=EjExytkqBz4) of a 2010 steampunk production of the musical PIPPIN. Does anybody know the name of the style of coat the Leading Player is wearing? You get a great look at it around [4:00-](https://youtu.be/EjExytkqBz4?t=4m0s) it’s the ankle length red satin dressing gown looking number. [Similar length & style/different material](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/195062227587429760/) [Portrait of sewing machine millionaire Isaac Singer](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Edward_Harrison_May_-_Isaac_Merrit_Singer_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) wearing a similar one Any suggestions for names for this particular style of coat? Thanks J ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/2 "2015-05-31T21:28:24Z")
It looks like a standard longcoat made out of silk or another very light material to me. I wouldn’t call it a dressing gown because it seems substantially different from the usual heavy/quilted/shawl collar/elaborate pattern mode. I have to say that seems to be an interesting production. The Leading Player actor looks like he’s modeling the MC from Cabaret, maybe especially Alan Cumming’s version. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/3 "2015-05-31T21:41:09Z")
Aye, that’s a longcoat. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/4 "2015-05-31T21:43:14Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] I have to say that seems to be an interesting production. The Leading Player actor looks like he’s modeling the MC from Cabaret, maybe especially Alan Cumming’s version. [/QUOTE] Especially in a couple of moments. With a bit of Adam Lambert thrown in. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/5 "2015-05-31T21:56:02Z")
Longcoat mated with a smoking jacket. But if forced to chose just one word, I’d go with _longcoat_, which can encompass everything from a justaucorps (not long enough, lacks a wide collar) to duster (it’s got the long slit up the back, but it’s a totally different shape) to a trench coat (too modern) and all the hybrids thereof. Damn, what I wouldn’t have given for that costuming budget in college theater. Looks gorgeous. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/6 "2015-05-31T22:01:19Z")
Thanks to all. I wonder if [this Matrix pattern](https://www.etsy.com/listing/109797578/simplicity-5386-pattern-mens-long-duster?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Sharehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/109797578/simplicity-5386-pattern-mens-long-duster?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share) would approach it, if you chose a similar material to the smoking jacket. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/7 "2015-05-31T22:13:00Z")
I’m going to go with dressing gown. In earlier eras, people didn’t have central heat so they had some pretty elaborate indoor coats, jackets, and so on (both for men and women) to go over regular clothes to keep warm. This way they could save wear and tear on the more expensive outer jackets and coats. These can look like outdoor wear, but the quilting gives it away as an indoor garment. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/8 "2015-05-31T22:15:17Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Thanks to all. > > I wonder if [this Matrix pattern](https://www.etsy.com/listing/109797578/simplicity-5386-pattern-mens-long-duster?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Sharehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/109797578/simplicity-5386-pattern-mens-long-duster?utm_source=Pinterest&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_campaign=Share) would approach it, if you chose a similar material to the smoking jacket. It would approach it, as long as you’re good with building collars without a pattern. I’m not. I’d go with [McCall’s M7003](http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7003-products-48718.php?page_id=96) and not cut the notch in the collar and lengthen the front and back pieces, allowing some extra seam allowance in the back so I could finish them with the slit all the way up to the waist. I love that slit. And no buttons, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2015, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/9 "2015-05-31T22:31:43Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > It would approach it, as long as you’re good with building collars without a pattern. I’m not. > > I’d go with [McCall’s M7003](http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m7003-products-48718.php?page_id=96) and not cut the notch in the collar and lengthen the front and back pieces, allowing some extra seam allowance in the back so I could finish them with the slit all the way up to the waist. I love that slit. And no buttons, of course. Thanks! 😃 Now just need to find the fabric I want and someone who can sew. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/10 "2015-06-03T19:32:33Z")
Lastly, does anybody know if there is a specific name for the type of staff/walking stick he is carrying? I associate them with royal butlers, but I’m sure there’s a name other than a “royal butler stick”. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anybody-identify-the-name-of-this-style-of-coat-cosplay-steampunk-theater-etsey-etc/721285/11 "2015-06-03T19:44:15Z")
Which one? The guy in the video and the guy in the first picture are both carrying sticks, but of two wildly different styles. The one in the picture looks like a swagger stick to me. Don’t know of anything more specific than walking stick or staff for the big one the guy in the video has.