# Is a chapan (coat) formal attire, casual or something in-between?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-chapan-coat-formal-attire-casual-or-something-in-between/917920>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 12, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-chapan-coat-formal-attire-casual-or-something-in-between/917920 "2020-08-12T20:08:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**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:** [August 12, 2020, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-chapan-coat-formal-attire-casual-or-something-in-between/917920/1 "2020-08-12T20:08:11Z")

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> **[Chapan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapan)**
>
> Pages for logged out editors learn more
> 
> Chapan (Persian: چپان; either from Persian Chapān which means old, threadbare and run-down costume or Chagatai chāpān itself from Persian Jobbe, from Arabic Jubba which means wrapper, cloak, coat, outer garment) is a coat worn over clothes, usually during the cold winter months. Usually worn by men, these coats are adorned with intricate threading and come in a variety of colors and patterns. It is worn in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, Afghani...

Hamid Karzi seems to wear one at all times, in all places and for all occasions.

And [some are plain-but-spiffy-looking while others are downright fancy](https://www.google.com/search?q=chapan+coat&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiBnZOlw5TrAhWziJ4KHX9zCioQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=chapan+coat&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1AAWABguYugAWgAcAB4AIABAIgBAJIBAJgBAKoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1n&sclient=img&ei=bUczX8GyF7OR-gT_5qnQAg&bih=943&biw=1272&client=safari&hl=en).

Do the colors and/or patterns have any special significance, like Scottish plaids? Or are they purely ornamental?

What’s the Straight Dope on chapan?

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**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2020, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-chapan-coat-formal-attire-casual-or-something-in-between/917920/2 "2020-08-12T20:31:21Z")

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I’m pretty sure you didn’t mean to put this in ATMB, so let’s give IMHO a shot at it.

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**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:** [August 12, 2020, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-chapan-coat-formal-attire-casual-or-something-in-between/917920/3 "2020-08-12T20:36:26Z")

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Wow; no it was supposed to be in GQ. Sorry; not sure how that happened. IMHO will work fine, tho, prolly. Thanks, **ecg**.