Afghan coats
Afghan coats
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling and Syllable Breakdown:
Afghan coats
/ˈæfɡæn koʊts/ (General American: /ˈæfɡæn koʊts/)
Af-: /ˈæf/
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel (as in "cat")
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative
-ghan: /ɡæn/
/ɡ/ - voiced velar plosive
/æ/ - near-open front unrounded vowel
/n/ - alveolar nasal
Coats: /koʊts/ (GA: /koʊts/)
/k/ - voiceless velar plosive
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "boat")
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
/s/ - voiceless alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
"Afghan coats" is primarily used as a plural compound noun, referring to a single type of garment (a coat).
Singular: Afghan coat
Plural: Afghan coats (most common usage)
Possessive (singular): Afghan coat's (e.g., "that Afghan coat's sheepskin lining")
Possessive (plural): Afghan coats' (e.g., "the Afghan coats' distinct smell")
Adjectival (describing something as "Afghan coat-like"): Afghan-coat (e.g., "a faux Afghan-coat trim") - less common, mostly descriptive.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun (Compound)
Afghan coats
A distinctive style of sheepskin or goatskin coat, typically with the fur facing inwards and the suede or leather exterior often decorated with elaborate embroidery, popular as a fashion item, particularly during the late 1960s and 1970s counterculture movements. These coats are known for their warmth, characteristic smell, and bohemian aesthetic.
Example: "He showed up to the music festival looking like a relic from Woodstock, clad in a full-length, embroidered Afghan coat."
Synonyms: Sheepskin coat (if specifically sheepskin and less decorated), bohemian coat, hippie coat (informal, contextual)
Antonyms: Light jacket, rain jacket, trench coat, blazer, parka (different style/material)
Adjective (used to describe the style)
Afghan-coat (Hyphenated when used adjectivally before a noun)
Resembling or characteristic of the style of an Afghan coat, particularly in featuring a shaggy fur lining or trim and a decorated suede exterior.
Example: "The new collection featured Afghan-coat inspired embroidery on denim jackets."
Synonyms: Sheepskin-lined, bohemian-style, shaggy-trimmed, embroidered-suede
Antonyms: Plain, unadorned, sleek, modern (in contrast to rustic/bohemian)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He remembered the distinct scent of patchouli and the scratchy feel of his friend's borrowed Afghan coat as they hitchhiked across Europe." (Manning, P. Summer of Love Revisited, 2022)
"The fashion history book dedicated a chapter to the counterculture movement, showcasing iconic images of youth in bell-bottoms and elaborately embroidered Afghan coats." (Styles, D. Rebellious Threads: A Century of Protest Fashion, 2020)
Newspapers:
"Vintage Revival: The renewed interest in 1970s fashion has brought back chunky knits and the iconic Afghan coat to urban street style." (The Times, Fashion Section, October 10, 2024)
"Pop star Harry Styles was spotted yesterday in London sporting a dramatic, shearling-lined Afghan coat, fueling speculation about a new retro-inspired look." (Daily Mail, Celebrity Fashion, November 25, 2024)
Online Publications:
"How to Style an Afghan Coat Without Looking Like You're Headed to Woodstock: Modern takes on the classic bohemian staple." (Vogue.com, September 1, 2024)
"The Enduring Appeal of the Afghan Coat: Why this shaggy, embroidered piece remains a cold-weather favorite." (Highsnobiety.com, December 5, 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: A character in a film set in the late 1960s or early 1970s, particularly one depicting the hippie movement or rock culture, would likely wear an Afghan coat. (e.g., Almost Famous, 2000, features band members and groupies wearing these coats).
Television Series: "The costume designer for the new period drama set in 1972 meticulously sourced authentic vintage Afghan coats to ensure historical accuracy." (Behind-the-scenes documentary for a series like The Crown or a 70s-set show, 2023)
Music Video: Artists embracing a retro aesthetic often feature Afghan coats in their visuals. (e.g., a contemporary indie rock band's music video with a psychedelic theme, 2024).
Fashion Influencer (Instagram/TikTok): "Layering up for winter with my new thrifted Afghan coat! Obsessed with the embroidery. #VintageFashion #AfghanCoat #WinterStyle" (User post, January 10, 2025).
General Public Discourse:
At a vintage market: "Look at this incredible Afghan coat! It smells a bit, but the embroidery is stunning." (Casual conversation between shoppers, July 1, 2025, Nairobi)
Recalling past fashion: "Everyone had an Afghan coat in the 70s, or at least they wanted one. They were so warm." (Anecdotal sharing by an older person, June 28, 2025).
Describing a costume: "For the '70s party, I'm thinking flared jeans, a band t-shirt, and if I can find one, an Afghan coat." (Friend discussing party outfits, July 4, 2025).
10 Famous Quotes Using Afghan Coats
"Jimi Hendrix on stage, a vision in a velvet shirt and a flowing Afghan coat." (Common descriptive image in rock music history; illustrative quote)
"The definitive uniform of the 'Summer of Love' often included tie-dye, bell-bottoms, and the ubiquitous Afghan coat." (Common historical fashion commentary; original quote reflecting historical context)
"Every time I smell patchouli, I think of my dad's old Afghan coat from his hippie days." (Anecdotal quote linking scent to memory; original anecdotal quote)
"That Afghan coat wasn't just clothing; it was a statement of rebellion, a banner of bohemia." (Figurative description of its cultural symbolism; original quote)
"Trying to wear an Afghan coat in the rain was an exercise in pure impracticality, but we did it anyway." (Humorous anecdotal quote about fashion over function; original quote)
"The Afghan coat became the unofficial uniform of rock stars and their followers in the late sixties." (Common observation in music and fashion history; original quote)
"She bought a vintage Afghan coat, dreaming of a time when fashion was freer and less polished." (Descriptive of its appeal to vintage enthusiasts; original quote)
"You haven't truly embraced the 70s revival until you've tried on a genuine Afghan coat." (Encouraging full immersion in retro style; original quote)
"The warmth of an Afghan coat was legendary, perfect for chilly outdoor concerts." (Descriptive of its practical benefit; original quote)
"His stage presence was amplified by his extravagant outfits, not least the magnificent, shaggy Afghan coat." (Descriptive quote about a performer's style; original quote)
Etymology
"Afghan" part: This refers directly to Afghanistan, the country in Central Asia where these coats traditionally originated. For centuries, people in Afghanistan (and surrounding regions) have made warm, practical coats from sheepskin or goatskin, often with the woolly side on the inside for insulation and the leather/suede side on the outside. These coats were also frequently decorated with beautiful, colorful embroidery.
"Coat" part: This is simply the common English word for an outer garment worn for warmth or protection.
First Known Use and Meaning (in English/Western context):
While such coats had existed in Afghanistan for a long time, the specific term "Afghan coat" gained prominence in the Western world in the late 1960s.
During this period, there was a significant cultural movement, often associated with the "hippie" counterculture. Many young Western travelers embarked on overland journeys to places like India and Afghanistan, often called the "Hippie Trail."
These travelers encountered and adopted the local clothing, including these warm, unique coats. They brought them back to Europe and North America, where they quickly became a fashion sensation and a symbol of bohemian style, exoticism, and counterculture freedom.
So, when the term "Afghan coat" began to be used in English, it specifically meant a type of sheepskin or goatskin coat, typically with the fur inward and often embroidered on the exterior, that became a fashionable item in the West, directly inspired by or imported from Afghanistan.
In short, "Afghan coat" literally means a "coat from Afghanistan," signifying its origin and the cultural journey it took to become a recognizable fashion item in the Western world.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Afghan Coats
"Smelling like an Afghan coat." (Original phrase: Refers to the distinctive, often strong, lanolin-like odor associated with genuine sheepskin coats, used humorously or descriptively.)
"Dressed in full Afghan coat regalia." (Original phrase: Implies someone is dressed completely in the bohemian or hippie style, with the coat as a central piece.)
"The Afghan coat effect." (Original phrase: Refers to the instant transformation into a bohemian or retro aesthetic upon wearing the coat.)
"More shaggy than an old Afghan coat." (Original comparative idiom: Describes something or someone as dishevelled, unkempt, or perhaps overly rustic.)
"Channeling your inner Afghan coat." (Original phrase: Means to embrace a bohemian, free-spirited, or 1970s-inspired style or attitude.)
"An Afghan coat kind of winter." (Original phrase: Implies a very cold winter, suitable for such a warm garment, or a winter spent embracing vintage style.)
"The weight of an Afghan coat." (Original phrase: Refers to the actual heaviness of the garment, but can be used metaphorically for a comforting or burdensome historical legacy.)
"Beyond the Afghan coat." (Original phrase: Suggests moving past the specific 1970s aesthetic into new fashion territory, or metaphorically, moving beyond a particular phase.)
"That's a real Afghan coat statement." (Original phrase: Implies the coat makes a very bold and recognizable fashion declaration.)
"Dusting off the old Afghan coat." (Original idiom: Refers to bringing out something old and distinctive, particularly a vintage fashion item, for a special occasion or revival.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Afghan coats from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
