On the streets of Copenhagen, you see the same coat everywhere as soon as the air cools down. Neither classic trench nor down jacket, but a vintage Afghan coat that has become the obsession of Scandinavians.
Long or mid-length, in shearling or imitation shearling trimmed with fur, this bohemian coat has already spanned several eras. Born in Afghanistan, passed through the sixties and renamed, today it returns to the forefront on Nordic silhouettes.
The Afghan coat, from Afghan tradition to pop culture
Originally, the Afghan coat is a work coat made of shearling, worn by farmers to face the cold. Imported towards the end of the 1960s by entrepreneur Craig Sams, it left the Afghan countryside to appear in the trendy boutiques of London and San Francisco.
Very quickly, the rock scene took over this piece, and John Lennon made it one of his visual signatures with the Beatles. In 2000, the film where Kate Hudson wears a long fur-trimmed coat popularized the model so much that it was given the nickname Penny Lane, then became a Y2K it‑coat.
Why the Scandinavians made the Afghan coat their star of fall
Today, the Afghan coat is resurfacing on the catwalks, reinterpreted by Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga and Chanel, but also by Alaïa and Marine Serre. Ariana Grande wears one in the music video for her title in 2024, while Ralph Lauren includes it in his spring-summer 2027 collection.
Nordic girls have adopted it as their favorite mid-season coat, capable of warming up simple jeans and a sweater without weighing down the silhouette. Their recipe is simple: one strong piece, this bohemian coat, and around ultra sober basics, raw denim with chunky ecru knits and functional black boots.
How to adopt the Afghan coat this fall without a false note
To copy their uniform, start with a mid-length style, perfect with flare jeans, a long-sleeved white t-shirt and block-heel boots. In the long version, the Afghan coat goes very well with a flowing dress, high boots and a suede bag to accentuate the retro spirit without losing modernity.
When buying, think as much about style as comfort and durability.
- Choose a quality material, real soft shearling or dense synthetic fur.
- Look at the cut: mid-thigh for petite girls, longer if you like enveloping silhouettes.
- Maintain your Penny Lane coat by airing it regularly and taking it to a specialist dry cleaner in the event of a stubborn stain.
With these reflexes, this vintage coat will be able to follow you for many autumns without losing its outfit.
How to recognize a real vintage Afghan coat?
Often made of fairly heavy shearling, with visible stitching and thick fur trims.
How to wear the Afghan coat to the office?
Choose a simple camel model, worn with tailored pants, white shirt, low-heeled ankle boots.
Where to buy an Afghan coat in 2026?
Find it in thrift stores or second hand, or turn to reissues from houses and major brands.
