Best raincoat value for wear over a suit

I'm looking for recommendations for a decent raincoat. I can't decide between a car length coat or a real single-breasted trench style. I would really love the Brooks Brothers golden fleece single breasted raincoat, but it's 800 bucks (-25% currently). This seems to be a steep price to pay for something that will be worn mostly dashing from building to building.

Do you find a car length coat adequate (just covers the suit by about 4 inches) or not? How much would you pay for one?

thanks.

Most of the higher quality raincoats or trenchcoats will cost about that range.

Burberry for example.

A car coat is less practical for all purposes.

I don't like the way 3/4 length coats look over a suit. It's looks like you're wearing two jackets on top of each other.

Only you can decide how much a certain coat is worth to you. I will say that I prefer my "rain" coat which is not necessarily a raincoat to serve both cool/fall weather and rain duty so I get more wear out of it. It's harder to find such a coat, though.

dan

Get the one you really want. After all a good coat will last for many years and so on a yearly basis the cost is negligable.I f you don't get the one you really want you'll be just a little bit disappointed every time it rains but with a good coat even dashing from building to building you'll have a bit more bounce in your step. And you'll look better. (and of course longer is better).
As an aside why does Brooks Bros. call it a single breasted "trench" coat when it doesn't have shoulder tabs, storm flap at the collar, D shapped rings on the belt etc.?

I don't like the way 3/4 length coats look over a suit.  It's looks like you're wearing two jackets on top of each other

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Agreed.

Get a full length raincoat.

Or just use an umbrella.

Car coats look unprofessional and are best left to weekends/jeans (but even then a full length raincoat or overcoat looks much better)

Any opinion on color? I received a Burberry trench - the real deal for a gift BUT its olive rather than the classic tan?

I know that John Malloy (Dress for Success) says that the tan color gets the best reception - black is the worst. No comment on olive. I fear that the olive coat will look dated in a few years. I live in warmer climate so I the coat will get little daily use - only during storms and when I travel. Thus I will probably have the coat for years.

So would I be better off selling the olive trench and getting a tan one? Returning the coat isn't an option.

I'm partial to the lighter color - "stone" or whatever it's called. I think you're fine with any color really though. Olive is classic as well.

In the end you'll have to decide whether whatever joy you'd get out of having tan instead would be worth the time and money spent in doing the sale/buy to get it.

I'm looking for recommendations for a decent raincoat.  I can't decide between a car length coat or a real single-breasted trench style.  I would really love the Brooks Brothers golden fleece single breasted raincoat, but it's 800 bucks (-25% currently). This seems to be a steep price to pay for something that will be worn mostly dashing from building to building.

Do you find a car length coat adequate (just covers the suit by about 4 inches) or not? How much would you pay for one?

thanks.

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Definitely agree on the two themes mentioned above: (1) 3/4 length isn't the most practical of things, especially in a serious rain storm (.); and (2) spend a little more than you might otherwise, as it is, indeed, a long-term investment; if you buy something you really like, you'll wear it for years and years. To this, I'll once again put in a plug for the Loro Piana Storm System. I have a couple of rain coats made out of this material, and these are among the most versatile items in my wardrobe. Highly recommended.

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(billiebob @ June 08 2005,14:56) I'm looking for recommendations for a decent raincoat. I can't decide between a car length coat or a real single-breasted trench style. I would really love the Brooks Brothers golden fleece single breasted raincoat, but it's 800 bucks (-25% currently). This seems to be a steep price to pay for something that will be worn mostly dashing from building to building. Do you find a car length coat adequate (just covers the suit by about 4 inches) or not? How much would you pay for one? thanks.
Definitely agree on the two themes mentioned above: (1) 3/4 length isn't the most practical of things, especially in a serious rain storm (.); and (2) spend a little more than you might otherwise, as it is, indeed, a long-term investment; if you buy something you really like, you'll wear it for years and years. To this, I'll once again put in a plug for the Loro Piana Storm System. I have a couple of rain coats made out of this material, and these are among the most versatile items in my wardrobe. Highly recommended.
Where's the best (cheapest) place to find a good selection of LP Storm System coats? I'm an odd size, so good selection or MTM is a must.

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(drljva @ June 09 2005,07:01)

Originally Posted by billiebob,June 08 2005,14:56

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I'm looking for recommendations for a decent raincoat. Â I can't decide between a car length coat or a real single-breasted trench style. Â I would really love the Brooks Brothers golden fleece single breasted raincoat, but it's 800 bucks (-25% currently). This seems to be a steep price to pay for something that will be worn mostly dashing from building to building. Do you find a car length coat adequate (just covers the suit by about 4 inches) or not? How much would you pay for one? thanks.
Definitely agree on the two themes mentioned above: (1) 3/4 length isn't the most practical of things, especially in a serious rain storm (.); and (2) spend a little more than you might otherwise, as it is, indeed, a long-term investment; if you buy something you really like, you'll wear it for years and years. To this, I'll once again put in a plug for the Loro Piana Storm System. I have a couple of rain coats made out of this material, and these are among the most versatile items in my wardrobe. Highly recommended.
Where's the best (cheapest) place to find a good selection of LP Storm System coats? Â I'm an odd size, so good selection or MTM is a must.
Martin Greenfield makes the LP Storm System raincoats for NM; they usually have a good selection (I have both their SB and DB versions) of fabrics (my favorite is the waterproof cashmere.), styles, and sizes. Probably a good place to start, at any rate... perhaps others know of other places where Storm System raincoats can be found?

How about this "Austin" coat from London Fog? It retails for $300. Any thoughts on their quality? http://store.nordstrom.com/product....egories

uGet the one you really want. After all a good coat will last for many years and so on a yearly basis the cost is negligable.I f you don't get the one you really want you'll be just a little bit disappointed every time it rains but with a good coat even dashing from building to building you'll have a bit more bounce in your step. And you'll look better. (and of course longer is better).  
As an aside   why does Brooks Bros. call it a single breasted "trench" coat when it doesn't have shoulder tabs, storm flap at the collar, D shapped rings on the belt etc.?

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I agree with buying advice.  As for why Brooks calls its single-breasted model a "trench" -- I've seen others refer to theirs as trenches as well.

I've also seen Burberry hybrids -- single breasted with shoulder tabs, storm flap, etc. (though no D rings).

I'd go tan over olive.

Might also consider Aquascutum -- if I needed another raincoat -- this is the brand I'd get.  And I've a few Burberry coats already.

edit: I'd check London Fog and Aquascutum on Ebay -- you'll pay very little and get a cool old coat with character. I think it far more desirable to have your raincoat really broken in, esp. since these are so well-made that being used won't affect their wear.

Thanks for the replies. This is actually what I'm thinking of getting. It looks very similar to the BB golden fleece SB "Trench", but is about 1/3 the price

I actually bought a London Fog Austin lightly used on e-bay for 25 bucks a few months ago. Since I have a 42 inch chest and wear a 42R suit, I figured a 42R Austin would fit me.

It was fricking huge over my suit. I'd estimate a solid 2 inches too big, though I haven't tried on any other size.

It appeared very well made. I was sad to have to re-sell it. I may just get another, or wait until I find the BB on clearance (yeah right).

Oh, and the BB ran way large on me too. Is this common? I think manufacturers overcompensate for people wearing a suit. It's not like I'm wearing a down jacket underneath.

trench/raint coats are not supposed to fit very snugly at all.

They should offer pretty good rain protection even if not buttoned up, and the sleeves should definitely be long enough to keep your shirt/suit cuffs from getting wet.

i cheaped out on my raincoat and bought london fog. $100 with zip-out thinsulate lining. DB, storm flap, raglan sleeve etc. (no d-ring).

I think it's just fine

-boston