appropriate winter coat for a young adult

[ruben]

From infancy to a couple years ago, I'd always worn a big, shiny, puffy winter coats, the kind that make a swishing sound when you walk.

I recently realized that I look far to juvenile in such a coat, and so have spent the last couple winters layering various sweatshirts and hoodies.

Unfortunately, I live in to harsh a climate for such a practice, and the layers made me look older but much more vagrant like.

So...

What's an appropriate (and warm) casual coat for someone in their early 20's? A post-Michelin Man coat, pre-topcoat jacket if you will.

I found that most high-end shops' coats are almost too mature, and look out of place among the rest of my wardrobe (I try to dress nice on a student's budget).

Would this be more appropriate in Streetwear and Denim?

 

[Jovan]

I don't see anything wrong with a topcoat... a lot of us here wear them and we're in our 20s.

 

[ghulkhan]

yea just throw on a topcoat over a pair of jeans and a t and youll like fine
but if you want something like a top coat but not really...
as you said..
i would get say like a hooded three quarter length coat or something
for example.. i got this a lil while ago ..

or maybe a toggle coat..

 

[Jared]

Duh: peacoat. But remember, if you're wearing it over a jacket, it needs to be at least 3/4-length and longer than that is probably more stylish. You should be able to dress up or down anything that isn't camel-coloured or double-breasted, although personally I'd also stay away from trench coats. Military styling is always good. Look at the pics in this thread: http://styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=21122

 

[whoopee]

Duffel coats, too.

 

[Kai]

Duffle coat or shearling coat

 

[thinman]

Topcoats, peacoats, and duffle coats are all good suggestions. I would, and do, wear a peacoat for casual situations. A good peacoat will cost you about $50-60 on ebay or in a Navy surplus store and about $150 from Sterlingwear. STP has good pricing on topcoats and duffle coats, when they have them. I know they have some duffle coats right now.

Edited for spelling. Sheesh!

 

[DShareef]

The well-dressed 20-somethings I tend to see are typically wearing car coats or peacoats.

 

[King Francis]

I recently received a black Sterlingwear peacoat and I love it. That's my personal recommendation. I also like streamlined three-quarter-length single-breasted coats -- think chesterfield.

 

[odoreater]

I would say a peacoat over a topcoat. I think wearing a topcoat with jeans or whatever, especially in college makes you look like you're trying too hard and a bit of a tool. If you're out of school and working in an office environment, then a topcoat would be fine even in your early 20s. Others will disagree, but, that's that.

 

[Jared]

Originally Posted by odoreater

I would say a peacoat over a topcoat. I think wearing a topcoat with jeans or whatever, especially in college makes you look like you're trying too hard and a bit of a tool. If you're out of school and working in an office environment, then a topcoat would be fine even in your early 20s. Others will disagree, but, that's that.
+1. The topcoat should either be obviously surplus/vintage or have military/casual styling. It should go with the rest of your look!

 

[Jovan]

Pea coats and shearling coats are definitely good suggestions. I'm going to try to get a shearling coat this winter so I can upgrade my casual style a bit. I already have a pea coat but don't want to be wearing just it all the time.

 

[ruben]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[ruben]

I also should come clean, topcoats being to "mature" was my way of admitting to not being able to afford a decent one, without really admitting it.

STP has great stuff, but I'm really tempted by buying something military surplus.

On the other hand, I almost want to get a nice barbour coat or barn jacket. I'm a big-time sucker for english country style, I don't know if thats considered lame around here, but I really dig it.

 

[ruben]

Just to obsessively add to my self-postings here...
I think the problem with some longer and formal coats is that if you're not wearing fairly high-class stuff underneath you may miss your mark and end up looking like you're imitating a punk-esq thrift store style.