The Best Chef Coats for Men
No matter what role you serve in a restaurant's kitchen, a high-quality chef coat is a wardrobe requirement. Chef coats provide a thick layer of fabric that protects chefs, preppers, and even dishwashers from unexpected hot foods, liquids, or fumes flying around the kitchen. Not only do chef coats protect the kitchen workers, but they also signify their status and role in the restaurant. We've researched the whole product line to bring you this list of our favorite chef coats. Read on to discover which one is right for you.
What to Look For
A good chef coat should be three things: breathable, flexible, and protective. Those criteria helped us round up a few of our own favorites, like the stylish chef coats from Chef Works, for example. Their offerings, which range from stylish denim coats for men to chic offerings for women, look and feel great. But for something more traditional, we suggest the classic chef coats offered by Toptie and Chef Designs. The latter, which is offered in weight, features long sleeves, so it’s a great option if you need something more protective. Keep on reading to learn more about the rest of our favorites.
Toptie Unisex Short-Sleeve Chef Coat
Kitchen comfort
This is the kind of chef coat that demands attention and authority in the kitchen. If you’re new on a job and looking for a way to show your new co-workers you mean business, Toptie’s short-sleeve chef coat is the way to do it. It features a durable polyester/cotton fabric blend along with a sharp-looking and secure 10-button design. The fabric is tough enough to protect your skin from hot foods and liquids in the kitchen, but not too thick to make you overheated at work. What’s more, Toptie offers 14 different color schemes to choose from, making it easy to find one that suits your kitchen.
Pros:
- Durable short-sleeve chef coat
- The 10-button design ensures a snug fit
- 14 colors to choose from
Cons:
- It doesn’t offer as much protection as long-sleeve alternatives
Chef Designs Men’s White Ten-Button Chef Coat
Tried and true
When you think “chef coat,” your imagination is likely to jump to something that looks something like this pick from Chef Designs. This classic white chef coat is a durable long-sleeve shirt with a traditional 10-button design to keep the fit nice and snug. The stand-up collar is fashionable without being too flashy, and the double-breasted front provides maximum protection against hot foods and liquids in the kitchen. Not to mention, Chef Designs installed multiple pockets so you can store utensils or spices when the rush hour comes.
Pros:
- Classic white 10-button chef coat
- The long-sleeve design provides more protection
- Fashionable collar
Cons:
- The fabric could be a bit thicker
Chef Works Men’s Morocco Chef Coat
Colors galore
If you’re on the lookout for a fashionable chef coat that would fit in just as much at the club as it does the kitchen, this pick from Chef Works is right up your alley. Chef Works’ Morocco chef coat is a stylish and functional long-sleeve shirt with an optimal polyester/cotton blend and 10-button design. There are seven vibrant colors to choose from, making this an excellent choice for kitchen workers looking to stand out from the crowd. This thing looks so good that if you wear it for a work uniform, we’re pretty sure you’ll have customers asking where they can get one for themselves.
Pros:
- Stylish and functional
- Durable polyester/cotton blend
- Seven colors to choose from
Cons:
- The sizing tends to run a bit large
Chef Works Women’s Springfield Chef Coat
Chic chef
The Chef Works Springfield chef coat is a form-fitting and stylish way for any woman to command authority and attention while leading their kitchen. Unlike most chef coats on the market, this pick features a single-breasted design that utilizes a zipper instead of the traditional 10-button design. The front of the chef’s coat is incredibly fashionable and modern, and the zipper ensures a snug fit that won’t loosen while you work.
Pros:
- High-quality women’s chef coat
- Modern and fashionable
- Zipper closure instead of 10-button design
Cons:
- The collar can be irritating for some
Chef Works Denim Gramercy Chef Coat
Durable and dashing
Denim is well-known for being one of the most durable fabrics for clothing manufacturing. Why not, then, use it for a chef coat? Chef Works’ denim Gramercy chef coat is one of our absolute favorites on the market. Not only is this thing durable, but it’s stylish enough to turn heads outside the kitchen, too. The long-sleeve cut provides you with thick denim protection over your arms while you’re working, and the high-quality zipper closure ensures a form-fitting silhouette that will stay snug throughout your shift. Chef Works offers this ultra-cool chef coat in a traditional blue denim option and a dark black option, so you can pick the one that suits your tastes.
Pros:
- Durable denim chef coat
- As functional as it is stylish
- It can be worn outside of work, too
Cons:
- The denim might make some feel too hot in the kitchen
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do kitchen workers need to wear chef coats?
While not every restaurant requires chef coats for their kitchen employees, the vast majority do tend to make them a mandatory part of the wardrobe. First and foremost, the chef coat is a way for kitchen workers — from the dishwashers to the head chefs — to signify their important role in the restaurant. It has been a long-held tradition for kitchen workers to take pride in their vocation by donning the chef coat while at work. Aesthetics aside, chef coats are made from thick fabric that protects kitchen workers’ skin while preparing hot foods. In kitchens, all kinds of hot foods and liquids are liable to be thrown around, and they could burn someone who isn’t properly dressed for the job.
Can I wear my chef coat outside of work?
Some chef coats might look out of place if worn casually, but there are others on the market that would fit right in at a party or hangout. There are plenty of more relaxed-fitting chef coats on the market that makes some pretty unique fashion statements.
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