happi-coatn.
/ˈhapɪkəʊt/, U.S. /ˈhæpiˌkoʊt/ A Japanese loose outer coat (hip- or knee-length), originally of a style worn by workers; (hence) a similar fashion garment, often of brightly coloured cotton.In Japan now predominantly worn for festivals.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for body or trunk (and limbs) > [noun] > coat > types of > loose
cassakin1560
mandill1579
mandilion1582
cassock1590
mandeville1688
sack1847
happi1880
kimono coat1886
mandarin coat1911
happi-coat1927
1927 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 12 May b5/3 (advt.) The Popular Price Version of the Mode—the ‘Happi’ Coat or ‘Coolie’ Coat.
1930 Irish Times 24 Nov. 2 Hanging limply under a knee-length happy-coat, it [sc. a nightie] merely looked dowdy.
1933 ‘R. Crompton’ William—the Rebel vi. 121 ‘Go and put on my happi coat, William,’ she said.
1948 M. Allingham More Work for Undertaker (1949) vi. 70 She wore a gay little happi-coat.
1960 Esquire Sept. 188/4 These ultra-distinctive Happi Coats are ideal for those who love the luxury of leisure-time loungers.
1971 Catal. Exhib. C. Beaton's Fashion (V. & A. Mus.) 54/1 A beige suede ‘happi coat’..worn with tapering suede trousers.
1989 J. Melville Haiku for Hanae (1990) xviii. 165 Two men wearing short happi-coats over ordinary trousers and with strips of cloth tied as sweatbands round their heads were fiddling with huge paper lanterns attached to the uprights of the torii.
2003 Best of Internat. Tattoo Art July 25/1 His reflection showed the parts of dark, fantastic tattoos at the edges of his morning happi coat.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1927