<p>S is heading to Chicago in 2 weeks for student teaching. His current “warmest” jacket is an Eddie Bauer fleece - he’s not a heavy coat guy. He knows that he needs something warm for the commute and all the walking he’ll do each day. Thinks he wants something a little “nicer” - probably black, he’s mentioned woolish look on the outside. I don’t think he’d do a traditional pea coat, but maybe a pea coat/bomber style coat. I looked at LLBean and Eddie Bauer online - traditional go-to places for us. Not seeing much. Some else suggested Land’s End - haven’t looked there yet.</p>
<p>Thought maybe some of you already played this finding game earlier in the season - please share any suggestions! Or, if you are a Chi-towner, tell me what the young student/professional would wear on the streets of Chicago. I still think a parka type or down type would be appropriate but he’s currently said “no” to anything “puffy”. :)</p>
<p>Some of the LLBean/Eddie Bauer/Lands End-type coats are wool on the outside but have a down or “permaloft” or some other brand-name liner that keeps them warm. Just got this for S2 for Christmas (he lives in WI) and he was quite pleased with it:</p>
<p>My D’s bf moved to Chicago for graduate school. She insisted he get a warmer coat (was in Boston for undergrad). He’s very thankful he listened to her! While both locations can be cold and snowy, Chicago has more wind. On sites like Lands’ End or L.L. Bean make sure to look at the “warmth” rating. </p>
<p>In places that are very cold, warmth is more important than perceived style. I don’t think most very warm coats will be very puffy anyway? Also, a longer length will keep more of him warm!</p>
<p>This one is versatile and goes below the hip. It may be more casual than he thinks he wants, but I think it would be appropriate:</p>
<p>My S and H both have Eddie Bauer. I appreciate the look of a nice wool pea coat on a man but it’s cold enough no one will look askance at a “puffy” coat. Don’t forget the gloves and scarf/hat!</p>
<p>Got the gloves/hats/scarfs covered in multiples!! But honestly, IMO, I wish he’d get a coat with a hood - one less thing to lose and always there to throw over his head when he wants it!!! </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions - I will show him a few - and MAYBE I can even get him to go to the mall and explore some options with either me or his GF!</p>
<p>S bought a 3/4 length grey wool coat from banana republic earlier this year. It has a sweater-y kindof thing on the lapels for an added layer that you can zip out as needed. looks great over a suit or on dressier casual clothing.</p>
<p>I don’t see it on line but BR has a WOOL pea coat that looks quite nice as well. Actually, one of the reviewers talks about its keeping him warm in Chicago weather.</p>
<p>I’d spring for a North Face parka with a zip-out liner. They’re expensive but last a long time and are very versatile, as you can wear the shell as a windbreaker in warmer weather and the liner as a cold, but not freezing, weather jacket. It also has a hood.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to spend the money, get him a Land’s End down parka. They are very warm and look nice, even if they aren’t as versatile as the North Face 3 in 1.</p>
<p>We just got S1 a pea coat on sale at Macy’s a few weeks ago. A european style, with no hood. Most of those kids will not get a jacket with a hood, but wear a hat separately. It was orig. $325 and we paid @$100 with my extra coupons. Calvin Klein brand. It has inside & outside pockets and a zip out heavy collar lining. Black. Looks great with a scarf. He loves it!</p>
<p>I would bet if you CALLED Lands’ End that the customer service rep would be able to steer you to the right product. They are so incredibly helpful.</p>
<p>(My company won Lands’ End’s Small Business VIP Contest this summer, and we went to Dodgeville and toured the facility in September. I came away very impressed. Every interaction I’ve had with the customer service people has been amazing!)</p>
<p>My 19yo son picked this one out himself at Nordstrom, warm enough for the -5 degree windy days at his school. This one has a quilted liner: I have a wool coat without a liner and I wouldn’t consider it for really cold weather. The hoody thing zips out.</p>
<p>I really like that CK Magnetron - blends his desire of wool with a good dose of warmth - like the underlayer. I also found and showed him this, along the same lines, but no hood:</p>
<p>A true Navy pea coat is unbelievably warm in the cold weather. They are available new from the Navy Exchange to authorized military personal. Do you know anyone who could buy one at the exchange for your son? In the light the true coat appears black.</p>
<p>You can sometimes fine authentic used coats online but you need to make sure it isn’t a knock off.</p>
<p>My S has a wool peacoat from J.Crew - the version with a thinsulate layer inside. He says that it’s warmer than his down parka - and I think it looks really sharp:</p>
<p>That’s a sharp looking coat. Abasket: have your S try on what he likes. I do know that my S chose a coat with a flat back and no “slit vent”. Other people don’t mind the vent. All depends on their taste and style. </p>
<p>He should have luck in a number of stores with the year end sales.</p>
<p>I’ll just add that we live in New England and the coat from Macy’s is certainly warm enough. Not sure it’s necessary to go to an Army store, but that’s certainly another choice!</p>
<p>Here is an army-navy surplus store in Chicago that has both government issue new Navy pea costs (limited sizes) and issued/slightly used ones (much greater size selection). $219.99 (new) $189.99 (used). 10% discount on items over $50 with promo code.</p>
<p>chocchipcookie: the J. Crew does not have a back vent, not that my S would notice one way or another. </p>
<p>What do you think of a classic duffle coat? I’ve always loved the look, but I wonder if it’s strictly for college aged guys. Here’s a beautiful coat - no doubt very warm with a shearling lining:</p>
<p>LL Bean or Eddie Bauer as already suggested. If you have a Northface outlet nearby, you may find a great deal. Younger son just got a nice wool coat from J Crew. Older son has a couple jackets from Barbour that are very nice.</p>
But honestly, IMO, I wish he’d get a coat with a hood - one less thing to lose and always there to throw over his head when he wants it!!! </p>