Ok, good to know. Wool and/or cashmere!
Is this coat going to be worn on a regular basis? How about the weather? For example, wool and cashmere are really bad choices for Seattle where it is windy and rainy on the days when one needs a warm coat, and it is too warm for wool on the days when it does not rain much. Some waterproof coats have nice wool liners that can be taken out. My own Burberry trench came with one - it is a great option.
As mentioned before - goodwill is a great source for overcoats. I’ve got a heavy wool one that is who knows how old, bought it for $5 twenty years ago.
…Yup! Our Goodwill gets those cashmere coats from Seattle-bound law grads who quickly realize Goretex is the way to go here. 
The overcoat/topcoat is to be a birthday gift for my husband. Whenever he goes to formal occasions in the winter, he wears his suit without a coat and freezes or wears his parka over his suit. For the past decade, he has wished for a classic traditional overcoat/topcoat. I thought this would be the year. We have several occasions coming up. It gets cold here in NY. He has coat(s) for sloppy weather or times when he needs to be in the elements for an extended time. This coat is to wear when we go to a nice restaurant, weddings, funerals, important business meetings, etc.
While I know I could go to Goodwill, I also know that it just doesn’t feel right for a special birthday gift. Maybe (?)
Ideally, it would be charcoal gray, single breasted in size 38S or 38R.
Years ago I bought a couple of nice overcoats on the Lower East Side. I think some of the menswear stores are still there. If you’re in New York, and you want to spend, you could also look at Barney’s. Also Lord & Taylor or Macy’s.
Yes, I have only given D a “gift” from Goodwill ever. It was when I was dropping off a stereo and happened to see a velour dress in navy with lace that I knew she’d adore–she did! I put it in the sun and then washed it thoroughly and she loved it for years while it fit! I would not shop Goodwill for a special gift for my H or loved one, but we’re all different. I know Goodwill does have some amazing things, especially in “nice” neighborhoods where folks are cleaning out to make room for new purchases.
“This coat is to wear when we go to a nice restaurant, weddings, funerals, important business meetings, etc.”
In that case I’d go for a cashmere or cashmere-blend. Personally for a special-occasion coat I’d want a bit of color too, because why not? A nice dark blue is still very suitable for business but adds a bit of personal flair. Anyway, here’s a couple nice-looking ones in grey.
The OP did not state it was a gift intended for an adult man, not a college student. Thank you for clarifying this.
So… We are all looking for:
- A wool/cashmere top coat of good quality and warmth
- Intended as a gift
- For an adult who already has some clothes for rainy-icky weather
I do not know about NYC, but our downtown Barney’s seems to carry only the trendy stuff adored by the under 30 crowd. Even I cannot find anything there! Our Macy’s should be avoided at all costs, because the quality of what they sell is subpar.
I would stick with Nordstrom, Saks, Brooks, and Bloomies.
Yes, now that we know it’s a gift for her spouse, I’d look for more upscale and have warmth dependent on the climate where said coat will be worn. We in HI have very little experience of colder weather. I would probably try to buy at a place where you can have no hassle returns and exchanges, just because I am rarely great about guessing tastes of others for clothes. Maybe you have had more success. Nordstrom’s seems like a good bet, especially if they will do free or low cost alterations as needed.
What about something like this?
http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446747792&sre=PDPR1
or this cashmere trench:
I’d check out consignment or Goodwill too. My dad (93) still has an overcoat from when he lived in NY city eons (and I mean eons). I found it a couple months ago while cleaning out one of his closets. It is a Hart Schaffner Marx coat and looks brand new with such a timeless style that I’m hoping my son will be able to wear it. I doubt you could even buy that quality today.
Do you have an idea of how much you want to spend? I would advise against buying anything too heavy and warm if it’s to be a true dress coat. He’s going to have a jacket under it, and if it’s heavy it will feel bulky and he’ll overheat. If it’s for funerals, meetings, etc., it’s more likely that he’ll be in and out of the car or buildings and won’t need or want it to be warm enough for extended periods outside. My H hates wearing an overcoat - gets too hot and feels constricted while driving - puts it in the backseat and only puts it on at the destination - even then, sometimes just leaves it in the car.
Get him nice leather gloves to match the coat for,his special birthday…and take him out someplace special.
Get the coat used if you can find one.
Since our son took the grandfather’s grey cashmere topcoat, DH had nothing to wear the once or twice in a blue moon when he needed one. I found him a gorgeous camel hair coat that looked like it was seldom if ever worn…at Goodwill for $12. Sold! That coat still looks brand new…bet it hasn’t been worn 10 times.
Come to think of it…that cashmere coat looks mighty new too.
Seriously, check for something at a resale store. After I got the camel hair for DH, I saw a gorgeous black cashmere one at Goodwill…for $20.