Decent low-priced lightweight wool coat?

[Peter1]

I have a need maybe 10x a year for a "respectable" wool coat to wear over a sports coat for work events. I'm having a hard time finding a budget option, as I'm not really able to drop $700 + on a midrange or mtm option for something that won't get much use.

However, the department-store or really low-end stuff is either awful or looks to be bad VFM. I don't mind doing a D2C order, but any suggestions? (aiming for 300 eurodollars). Just needs to look respectable. Looking for something in a lightweight wool (navy/camel) and mid-thigh length.

TIA

 

[msimon]

Have you seen the asket wool coat?

 

[rjc149]

Unfortunately, new 100% wool overcoats in this price range ($300) don't exist. Trust me. I've looked.

Upping your budget to $500 opens your options up to Spier and Mackay, Suit Supply, Indochino etc. but I can't speak for their coats since I didn't go that route. Reviews seem to be generally good. I looked elsewhere because I was concerned about the wool weight -- I gathered it was a lighter-weight wool which isn't suitable for Northeast American winters. I also felt the coats were too short to be real winter overcoats. But if shorter and lighter weight is what you're shooting for, maybe this is a good place to look.

 

[mkbk]

Unfortunately, new 100% wool overcoats in this price range ($300) don't exist. Trust me. I've looked.

Upping your budget to $500 opens your options up to Spier and Mackay, Suit Supply, Indochino etc. but I can't speak for their coats since I didn't go that route. Reviews seem to be generally good. I looked elsewhere because I was concerned about the wool weight -- I gathered it was a lighter-weight wool which isn't suitable for Northeast American winters. I also felt the coats were too short to be real winter overcoats. But if shorter and lighter weight is what you're shooting for, maybe this is a good place to look.

What do you recommend for Northeast winters?

 

[rjc149]

What do you recommend for Northeast winters?

I bought a mint condition vintage (1990's) Hart Schafner Marx overcoat from Ebay for $90, and spent $270 having it tailored. All in I'm $350, which is far cheaper than a new coat of this quality and warmth. It's 100% heavy wool -- no blends with cashmere or any synthetics. The coat is thick and hefty, I'm guessing 4-5 lbs. It's the type of wool overcoat you want for real winter. It takes me down to low 20's F, even in driving wind. Below that, I wear a down parka.

Overcoat Fit Advice

I mentioned in a previous thread that I purchased a vintage Hart Schaffner Marx overcoat off Ebay. It arrived this afternoon. I love the wool and the color. It's very heavy and thick, and just wearing it for 5 minutes inside my apartment was uncomfortably warm. But, the coat is -- large. I was...

www.styleforum.net

In my thread above I elaborate on the lack of suitable options for overcoats, especially in department stores where everything is either cheap wool/poly blend or 100% cashmere from designer brands (100% cashmere is too light for real winter). You either have to pony up the funds, or roll the dice on Ebay. I lucked out.

 

[bicycleradical]

Upping your budget to $500 opens your options up to Spier and Mackay, Suit Supply, Indochino etc. but I can't speak for their coats since I didn't go that route. Reviews seem to be generally good. I looked elsewhere because I was concerned about the wool weight -- I gathered it was a lighter-weight wool which isn't suitable for Northeast American winters. I also felt the coats were too short to be real winter overcoats. But if shorter and lighter weight is what you're shooting for, maybe this is a good place to look.

I have one of the Spier coats from last year's run. From what I can tell, it's not a really heavyweight overcoat however it does suit the winter climate where I live. We don't get real winters like you do in NYC however the coat works well for DC 'winters.'

I think this coat can handle into the teens with a suit or sweater underneath however. Mind you, I also don't get cold easily so YMMV.

 

[rjc149]

I have one of the Spier coats from last year's run. From what I can tell, it's not a really heavyweight overcoat however it does suit the winter climate where I live. We don't get real winters like you do in NYC however the coat works well for DC 'winters.'

I think this coat can handle into the teens with a suit or sweater underneath however. Mind you, I also don't get cold easily so YMMV.

Yes this was my concern... I had my DB topcoat made for me by a Hong Kong tailor, and (stupidly) without choosing the fabric, I asked for the "heaviest winter wool they had." It arrived, and was certainly the heaviest winter wool they had -- for Hong Kong winter. It's a light spring/fall coat for me, gets worn a 2-3 weeks per year, if that. When a suit jacket isn't warm enough for commuting, it's usually time to break out the heavy coat. There's little 'in-between' weather for this coat. Nice coat, but a bit of a waste of money.

 

[johng70]

For NE winters I would want at least 700g overcoat. I have a 700g, 900g and something I think is around 500-600 - nice fall coat but not warm enough for winter here in NE Ohio

 

[Peter1]

Unfortunately, new 100% wool overcoats in this price range ($300) don't exist. Trust me. I've looked.

Upping your budget to $500 opens your options up to Spier and Mackay, Suit Supply, Indochino etc. but I can't speak for their coats since I didn't go that route. Reviews seem to be generally good. I looked elsewhere because I was concerned about the wool weight -- I gathered it was a lighter-weight wool which isn't suitable for Northeast American winters. I also felt the coats were too short to be real winter overcoats. But if shorter and lighter weight is what you're shooting for, maybe this is a good place to look.

Thanks, that's what I suspected. I'm not looking for a heavy, long coat but something that I can use down to about 0 celsius, so more of a 3 season. I may have to up the budget a bit...

 

[rjc149]

Thanks, that's what I suspected. I'm not looking for a heavy, long coat but something that I can use down to about 0 celsius, so more of a 3 season. I may have to up the budget a bit...

0 C = 32 F = freezing = winter weather. I would recommend getting a proper winter coat. You can always wear it unbuttoned in milder temperatures.

 

[mak1277]

0 C = 32 F = freezing = winter weather. I would recommend getting a proper winter coat. You can always wear it unbuttoned in milder temperatures.

Some people just run warm though. Personally, I would never need a max weight coat, especially over a suit. A leather bomber jacket over a sweater gets me down into the low 40s…I can definitely wear a mid weight coat over a suit at 32f all day long.

 

[Peter1]

Some people just run warm though. Personally, I would never need a max weight coat, especially over a suit. A leather bomber jacket over a sweater gets me down into the low 40s…I can definitely wear a mid weight coat over a suit at 32f all day long.

I definitely run warm, and here in Paris it rarely gets below freezing in winter. When I lived in NYC I had a heavy wool overcoat from BB that could stop an artillery shell, but I've worn it maybe 3 times in 10 years in Europe. I'll check out Suit Supply as there's a store near me.