Black Tie Overcoats

[justagentlemen]

I know that opera cloaks and Inverness' are reserved for white tie,but is the Chesterfield?Moreover,would it even be worth it to buy a Chesterfield,or should I just use my regular overcoat (black,full length cashmere).

 

[J Simulcik]

Though any black overcoat will most likely be fine, the Chesterfield is the 'correct' answer. Keep in mind, though, whichever you choose should be accompanied by a white silk, tasseled scarf which stays with the coat.

 

[Holdfast]

RL has some pretty cool black (and charcoal) 3/4 length wool Chesterfields with black velvet collars. Can't remember which line - might have been Black Label. The black one cries out for use with Black Tie, but the charcoal one is versatile enough to use in regular business settings.

 

[LaoHu]

Originally Posted by J Simulcik

Though any black overcoat will most likely be fine, the Chesterfield is the 'correct' answer. Keep in mind, though, whichever you choose should be accompanied by a white silk, tasseled scarf which stays with the coat.

Apparently Hardy Amies thought otherwise.

 

[maxnharry]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

RL has some pretty cool black (and charcoal) 3/4 length wool Chesterfields with black velvet collars. Can't remember which line - might have been Black Label. The black one cries out for use with Black Tie, but the charcoal one is versatile enough to use in regular business settings.

I have one from the Polo line. It's an awesome coat!

 

[LaoHu]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

RL has some pretty cool black (and charcoal) 3/4 length wool Chesterfields with black velvet collars. Can't remember which line - might have been Black Label. The black one cries out for use with Black Tie, but the charcoal one is versatile enough to use in regular business settings.

And when might you be getting a size 44L in stock?

 

[Holdfast]

Originally Posted by LaoHu

And when might you be getting a size 44L in stock?

Sorry, only got a 44L RLPL tux in stock. The formal overcoat will have to wait a touch longer! I can't outfit you all in one go!

 

[Cravate_Noire]

Originally Posted by J Simulcik

Though any black overcoat will most likely be fine, the Chesterfield is the 'correct' answer. Keep in mind, though, whichever you choose should be accompanied by a white silk, tasseled scarf which stays with the coat.
I use a black silk with white/silvery pindots scarf

And the other side is a wool/mohair blend that is woven in a black/silvery stripe patern. Very useful for being the Godfather for the last 15 minutes I'm going to remember from a given black tie activity.

 

[J Simulcik]

I look at it like this; even if it is a later addition, which I don't doubt considering Will's the source, it was established before I was born and is widely accepted. There are other styles that I like and would wear (many listed here fall under this category), but it's the same as with pocket squares, vests, etc. One can still be well turned out without being strictly traditional, and it's not always a bad thing.

 

[LaoHu]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

Sorry, only got a 44L RLPL tux in stock. The formal overcoat will have to wait a touch longer! I can't outfit you all in one go!

And if I had not just purchased a tuxedo in 2006, that 44L RLPL would have been long gone!

 

[LaoHu]

Originally Posted by J Simulcik

I look at it like this; even if it is a later addition, which I don't doubt considering Will's the source, it was established before I was born and is widely accepted. There are other styles that I like and would wear (many listed here fall under this category), but it's the same as with pocket squares, vests, etc. One can still be well turned out without being strictly traditional, and it's not always a bad thing.

I quite agree, but I always like to know whose "rules" I'm breaking.

 

[justagentlemen]

Originally Posted by J Simulcik

Though any black overcoat will most likely be fine, the Chesterfield is the 'correct' answer. Keep in mind, though, whichever you choose should be accompanied by a white silk, tasseled scarf which stays with the coat.

Naturally.

 

[aportnoy]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

RL has some pretty cool black (and charcoal) 3/4 length wool Chesterfields with black velvet collars. Can't remember which line - might have been Black Label. The black one cries out for use with Black Tie, but the charcoal one is versatile enough to use in regular business settings.

Good call here. I have the RLPL version of this coat made by Saint Andrews in cashmere that I got for $450 from the now infamous Woodbury Commons feeding frenzy.