Where is the best place to get a traditional formal overcoat that can be worn over a suit? Brooks Brothers, Bloomingdales’s I am in New York.
We got our son one at Brooks Brothers. Expensive, but the thinking is that he will have it forever. (Does he wear it? No, he wears his big down coat. Sigh.)
S bought himself a black wool pea coat that he can wear over his suit or sweaters. It’s fitted and looks great on him. He actually bought two and decided the first one was a tad to large, so he bought a smaller one and will be re-selling the larger one. I believe he purchased it on Amazon.com or some online vendor, as he has trouble finding his size at most stores–too small a waist at 27-28.
It depends how much you want to spend and how fashion-forward (while remaining withing the traditional) you want to be.
Starting at Brooks Brothers is probably a good idea.
Both stores could have some options. I would get something that could be worn not just with a suit. Just make sure it is long enough to cover the suit jacket! Also, check Saks.
You don’t need to go nuts with an overcoat, assuming you meant either a traditional trenchcoat or wool overcoat. Most any department store or men’s store including the ones you mentioned should have a good selection, since you’ll want to stick with something fairly traditional/conservative in traditional colors.
In NY weather I’d personally want a couple for work if I needed to wear suits. A traditional trench coat for rainy weather and fall/spring, and a longer heavier full-length wool overcoat for winter. A peacoat is a little more fun/casual alternative to consider as well.
When I started in business after college, I bought a trench coat and a wool/cashmere blend overcoat, both charcoal grey. That was over 25 years ago. I still wear them, they look good as new. Buy classic styles and good quality, and you can wear those coats forever. Brooks and Bloomies are nice, expensive of course, but you can also find good stuff at less expensive stores like Macy’s. I actually bought mine at Syms.
My son has his grandfather’s cashmere grey overcoat. We are happy we didn’t spend a lot of money on a coat…because the kid now lives in a place where there really isn’t winter.
The coat will last forever.
Another thought is Goodwill or the Salvation Army or some other thrift store. I bought a beautiful, classic, black cashmere coat for about $20. It cost another $20 to have it cleaned, so for $40, I have a warm overcoat that will last forever.
Found this on Jos. A Banks: http://www.josbank.com/3-4-traveler-tailored-fit-herringbone-topcoat-clearance
“My son has his grandfather’s cashmere grey overcoat. We are happy we didn’t spend a lot of money on a coat…because the kid now lives in a place where there really isn’t winter.”
OT, but my son wanted some additional sweaters for business-casual purposes so we told him to raid H’s closet - H isn’t wearing them and they are the same size. He snared some nice, classic v neck and crewneck cashmere sweaters in plain colors (camel, navy, etc.). One of them was actually something H swiped from HIS father, years ago!
OT also…but my son also has his grandfather’s tuxedo…and a really nice grey suit.
H gave S the suit he had worn at S’s age & it fit like a glove. S has since had some things tailored for him. He and H are not the same size, as H is heavier than S is currently, with a larger waist. Since S lives in DC/VA, he doesn’t need REALLY heavy clothing and is happy with his pea coat for now.
Hubby has a beautiful Canalli cashmere trench coat in black. It’s delicious and decadent and I always notice people touching him when he wears it…lol. He looks pretty darn good in it and wears it with everything. I don’t know about the roi, but when I think about my shoes and purses I won’t complain.
It’s really pretty cool how men’s overcoats don’t really go out of style. In college I bought one from a 2nd hand store that looked like it was from the 60’s and wore it all four years and then for many years to work. I was big into suits when I was younger and even wore that $30 thrift-store wool overcoat with my very expensive designer suits. It had an obvious old-timey look due to the cut but that just added to the charm.
I finally passed it along to Goodwill a few years back and I hope somebody else is getting as much joy out it as I did.
My g/f bought my son a Burberry pea coat, navy. He knows and cares nothing for names, but he likes that jacket. I had to tell him to get it dry cleaned, as cat hairs all,over it.
Also check Nordstrom - their menswear is very nice and much of it is at a good price point. Also make sure it’s not too LONG. Many topcoats go right to the knee, and younger guys will find it very odd and dated. A younger man should wear a topcoat at mid thigh.
Thanks for your comments and please keep them coming. Brooks Brothers is ideal, but it seems they are sold out of my husbands size 38R or 38S. Sigh
Did Nordsrom finally open a store in NYC? Just saw a bunch of coats on sale at Nordy’s here in my neck of the woods.
Speaking of classics… Mr. B has a trench coat which I miraculously bought on fire sale quite a few years ago and which looks almost identical to the new Heritage line from Burberry:
https://us.burberry.com/the-kensington-mid-length-heritage-trench-coat-p39833381
Trench coats are great, but I am looking for a warm coat preferably wool or cashmere.