The Official Classic Men's Coats Thread

[dieworkwear]

Like Foo's reference, I've always thought of the term greatcoat as something truly bulky and warm, like what you'd wear out to war with Russia. I also think of it as having a more militaristic look. Though Chris (Despos) said you can use it like you would with "overcoat" and "topcoat." Which I suppose technically are two different words, but in every day usage, seems to get treated as synonymous.

 

[FlaneurNYC]

But aren't we more interested in archaic rules and terminology? (Just kidding, of course.)

I also always thought of a greatcoat as something extra bulky and severe, as the name might imply —and had always used topcoat and overcoat interchangeably. It was interesting to learn that they actually meant two different things at one point.

 

[comrade]

As one who is archaic, I recall three classifications from my formative years:

topcoat- relatively lightweight wool or wool gabardine ( don't see these
much any more)

overcoat: medium weight, dressy fly front, or button through, or tweedy
with balmacaan collar and raglan sleeves.

greatcoat- very heavy wool or lined with fur or alpaca, often double-breasted.
I have an Invertere "monster" in heavy gray melton cut like a trench coat
with a belt. Served me well when I lived in Chicago.

 

[dopey]



As one who is archaic, I recall three classifications from my formative years:

topcoat- relatively lightweight wool or wool gabardine ( don't see these
much any more)

overcoat: medium weight, dressy fly front, or button through, or tweedy
with balmacaan collar and raglan sleeves.

greatcoat- very heavy wool or lined with fur or alpaca, often double-breasted.
I have an Invertere "monster" in heavy gray melton cut like a trench coat
with a belt. Served me well when I lived in Chicago.

You will appreciate this timely story. I was talking today with two friends. One of them went to get his overcoat - it is a new Grenfell-made stormcoat for O'Connel's. He had told me about it before but I had never seen it. I told him that I remember O'Connell's calling me when they had made it up, because they sold me one of the last Invertere made ones they had, which my wife gave away to a shelter. O'Connell's tried to help me track down a replacement, but couldn't. As I mentioned here before, and told him, that had started me on a hunt to find a replacement - I eventually created a mini Invertere museum with three alpaca lined stormcoats (one I gave away), an alpaca lined bomber and about four or others, so by the time O'Connell's remade them, I was already overstocked. I told him to wait there and I would show him the original, and ran out to get mine. In the meantime, our third friend went to get his coat. It was also an Invertere alpaca lined stormcoat, but made for Paul Stuart. So there we were, three of us standing there in more or less the same coat, with the only difference being the outer fabric (mine was calvary twill and the others were melton and an olive twill).

 

[FlaneurNYC]

I was unfamiliar with Invertere, so I Googled. Check out this "Bearcat:"

http://www.rubylane.com/item/460150-1739/Mens-Vintage-INVERTERE-Bearcat-Overcoat

 

[dopey]

I've got that one, too. For the museum, but I do wear it on weekends when I want to embarass my children.

 

[jrd617]



This is probably my favorite coat.

Deets!

 

[jrd617]

DBs


Cary Grant

Vox

Crombie

 

[jrd617]

Car coat. I like this short style of coat with the two front flap pockets.

Does anyone have pics of a similar coat?

 

[StyleMax]

Stunning classic jacket!!! Never worn, and now wanted. Thank you))

 

[NOBD]



Car coat. I like this short style of coat with the two front flap pockets.

Does anyone have pics of a similar coat?

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

My winter rain coat:

 

[E TF]

 

[unbelragazzo]

All classic coats are meant to be worn knee-length or longer, yes?

 

[Hampton]

All classic coats are meant to be worn knee-length or longer, yes?

Longer.

 

[SpooPoker]



What kind of brand and fabric is it on your coat spoo?

Caruso, 100% cashmere.