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Advice on style/color for first overcoat

joneog

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I'm looking to pick up my first overcoat and since I can only pick up one quality piece at this time was wondering what is the most versatile color and style for my SB 2-button blue and grey suits. After searching a bit I see that charcoal color is recomended, although I've seen some nice camel colored and was wondering what suit and shoe colors I should avoid if I go with that.


thanks,
jon
 

anginaprinzmetal

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Charcoal.
 

Archivist

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I think you have more latitude with overcoats, it's not so important to worry about shoe color. Tan/camel is a great color, you should be able to wear it with anything. Charcoal or navy are both versatile.

Question, do you have an all-weather/raincoat? If not, I would advise that be your first coat purchase, followed by an overcoat.
 

Joenobody0

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I tend not to like wearing my charcoal chesterfield over my navy suits, so I bought a second in navy.

If you only can afford to purchase one overcoat I'd suggest a camel hair polo coat. It would go equally well with charcoal or navy suits.
 

joneog

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Originally Posted by Archivist
Question, do you have an all-weather/raincoat? If not, I would advise that be your first coat purchase, followed by an overcoat.

Good point, I've seen some great deals out there so maybe I'll grab both. Might be a silly question but what if its cold and rainy/snowy, won't a raincoat be too thin? I suppose an all-weather coat will cover all bases?

Thanks for the help everyone, will either go charcoal or camel, depending on what I find.

btw, when i was at saks-off-5th the other day I saw some loro piana wool coats marked down from 800 to 200... any opinions?
 

landshark

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I would reccomend going for charcoal first. If you want or need a second overcoat, camel is a great choice. Everything after that is up to you!
 

Archivist

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Originally Posted by joneog
Good point, I've seen some great deals out there so maybe I'll grab both. Might be a silly question but what if its cold and rainy/snowy, won't a raincoat be too thin? I suppose an all-weather coat will cover all bases?

That kind of depends on the raincoat, and what kind of liner it has, and just how cold it gets where you are. How wet for that matter. Think about the main type of weather you need to cope with. Where I live, it does not get too terribly cold (maybe low 40's high 30's at the worst, and not too much of that) but it rains.

The sad fact is, no single coat is going to cover all the bases. The thing about raincoats is, they work in the rain and the cold. I have a duffle coat that is very warm, and reasonably waterproof (in that it does not soak through), but it gets about 3x as heavy when it gets wet, and takes a long time to dry.

btw, when i was at saks-off-5th the other day I saw some loro piana wool coats marked down from 800 to 200... any opinions?
If they fit and the style is good, that sounds like a deal. Are they loro piana storm system? I have a couple of those, and they do well.
 

Joenobody0

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Originally Posted by MonsieurDA
Don't ever come talk fashion on any of my threads again you turd. No matter how silly or 6teen they seem to you.
You can't even pick out a color to fit in your wardrobe, therefore, to you, poor wanker, yes... I am a fuckin' fashion god.


You need to be removed from this forum and IP banned. Go insert your spiked slippers up your ass.
 

joneog

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Originally Posted by MonsieurDA
Don't ever come talk fashion on any of my threads again you turd. No matter how silly or 6teen they seem to you.
You can't even pick out a color to fit in your wardrobe, therefore, to you, poor wanker, yes... I am a fuckin' fashion god.


Ahh, I love the internet...
 

kcc

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DB charcoal with herringbone pattern.
 

joneog

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Originally Posted by Archivist
That kind of depends on the raincoat, and what kind of liner it has, and just how cold it gets where you are. How wet for that matter. Think about the main type of weather you need to cope with. Where I live, it does not get too terribly cold (maybe low 40's high 30's at the worst, and not too much of that) but it rains.

The sad fact is, no single coat is going to cover all the bases. The thing about raincoats is, they work in the rain and the cold. I have a duffle coat that is very warm, and reasonably waterproof (in that it does not soak through), but it gets about 3x as heavy when it gets wet, and takes a long time to dry.


Thanks. During the day its usally 30-45 but there have been some mornings when it gets into single digits. I'll see if I can find something on the heavier side.

-jon
 

radicaldog

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A camel hair polo (the style, not the brand) is the most versatile overcoat, if you don't mind standing out from the crowd a bit. Before you ask: yes, it's appropriate in the evening despite the light colour. It's traditionally worn even with black tie in some circles.
 

Archivist

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Originally Posted by joneog
Thanks. During the day its usally 30-45 but there have been some mornings when it gets into single digits. I'll see if I can find something on the heavier side.

-jon


Ah, I did not notice you were in New York before. Yes, if you are buying soon, get a decent overcoat, and then pick up a rain coat later (before the rainy season). I agree 100% with radicaldog on the camelhair polo coat, fantastic things. New York is already too gray and dark in winter, it can use some camel to lighten it up.
 

ITGER

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Suppose you're having trouble finding a raincoat with a warm enough lining. What do you guys typically do? Do you just roll with overcoat + umbrella?
 

Joenobody0

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Originally Posted by radicaldog
A camel hair polo (the style, not the brand) is the most versatile overcoat, if you don't mind standing out from the crowd a bit. Before you ask: yes, it's appropriate in the evening despite the light colour. It's traditionally worn even with black tie in some circles.

I agree with you completely. The only downside to camel hair is that it shows dirt more than other darker materials (it may or may not matter depending on your commute and other such things).
 

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