If you could only afford one: peacoat, duffle coat, overcoat

[chasingred]

I'm looking to buy a classy winter coat, but can only afford one. I'm considering a peacoat, duffle coat, or an overcoat. Peacoats and duffle coats seem a bit trendy, however, especially in San Francisco, so I'm wary, but many overcoats also seem a bit unexciting. I'd like to get some feedback on which coat people on here think might be best, if only one could be chosen.

Which would you get, if you could only afford one?

 

[JesseJB]

Peacoat. My moleskin peacoat takes me everywhere.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Depends on your lifestyle, activities and needs.
If there is even the slightest need for an overcoat, even rarely, then get an overcoat.
A peacoat or duffel coat will not pass for an overcoat proper,
though, given the choices, a peacoat would be my second place suggestion.
A duffel coat is purely casual.
Only you can really know your needs.

 

[JayJay]

Overcoat if it'll be used for business attire, otherwise I'd get a duffle coat.

 

[Jerome]

Peacoat! 'Be a man, be a sailor!'

 

[Bishop of Briggs]

Earn some money cheapskate!

 

[kitonbrioni]

Get all three. Usually, Old Navy, H&M, Forever XXI, K&G, Filene's, outlet malls, etc has affordable versions of all three. Or, wait until the December/January sales and get a higher quality at 50%+ off or better.

 

[Bishop of Briggs]

Originally Posted by kitonbrioni

Get all three. Usually, Old Navy, H&M, Forever XXI, K&G, Filene's, outlet malls, etc has affordable versions of all three. Or, wait until the December/January sales and get a higher quality at 50%+ off or better.

H&M? Utter sh1te!

 

[JamesX]

Definitely Peacoat, perferably a military one. But if you live in Siberia then your choice is already made for you

 

[Archivist]

I'd get an all weather coat first, along the lines of a classic trench. You can wear a trench or an overcoat over jeans and a sweater or a suit. An overcoat/topcoat is nice, but not as good in rain.

Pea coats are not very versatile, strictly causal, you could not wear it with suits or evening clothes.

Duffle coats are great, I have a old Gloverall that I love, but it's very warm, too warm for most weather. Also, very heavy.

Did you say you are in San Francisco? It's doesn't get terribly cold in SF, but it does get wet.

 

[1969]

Originally Posted by kitonbrioni

Get all three. Usually, Old Navy, H&M, Forever XXI, K&G, Filene's, outlet malls, etc has affordable versions of all three. Or, wait until the December/January sales and get a higher quality at 50%+ off or better.
^^Universes colliding.

Seriously though, posts like the OP made should be prefaced with all the required context. Are you 28, or 48? Prefer beer or wine? Do you go to the opera?

 

[jim10]

There's a great looking duffel coat by Gloverall pictured in this month's GQ. Suppossedly available at Barney's New York, although I can't find it on their web site. Or, a more expensive option, is the Polo Ralph Lauren Fordham Toggle Coat, available on Bloomingdale's web site.

 

[Michael Ay329]

A Peacoat is much more versatile...especially in San Francisco. Perhaps try getting one which is a tad bit longer than usual

If you want some excitement...see if you can source some faux Ashtrakhan and have it added to your lapels and collar

 

[chasingred]

Originally Posted by 1969

^^Universes colliding.

Seriously though, posts like the OP made should be prefaced with all the required context. Are you 28, or 48? Prefer beer or wine? Do you go to the opera?

Good point, I should have provided some context.

I'm in my early 30s, a graduate student in the social sciences, and typically wearing button-up shirts, dark jeans, and either loafer shoes or cap toe balmorals. A few times a week I wear a tweed jacket or blue blazer. I don't wear suits often, but I also don't wear t-shirts.

Prefer whiskey, don't go to operas, but enjoy jazz shows.

So am I completely offbase in associating peacoats with the trendy, younger crowd?

 

[mensimageconsultant]

Peacoats have been trendy with young people for a few years, and the cheaper ones usually cater to that. It sounds like you want to dress older, not younger. As an investment piece, a single-breasted overcoat probably is your best choice (assuming you won't be moving to climate with hardly any winter). It also sounds like you should get a none-of-the-above, inexpensive jacket for rather casual circumstances.