My Overcoat Search

[Linx]

I am looking for a good winter coat and am just completely lost. I've went to like 10 different stores and found nothing. I am in Des Moines, Iowa though so there's not really much to pick from. I'll be going through Chicago next month and could get something there but I could also order online if they have a good return policy. Maybe you guys will have some good advice.

I'm looking for something that will work with a suit but I will mostly be wearing it with chinos and dress shirt so don't want something that looks overly formal. I'm a 42R and in my twenties so was thinking 3/4 length. I would like to find something around $300 but could go as high as maybe $500 if it's absolutely necessary. I'm looking for black or a darker color. My biggest problem is finding something that is a slimmer fit. Seems like most every coat I've tried on was made for an obese person. Any ideas on this?

 

[intent]

First of all --- yes, overcoats are baggy, but you want to wear a suit underneath so the extra space is necessary. Size down if you must, but you can always use the extra money to take it to a decent tailor to slim it to your needs.

 

[FIHTies]

http://www.fourinhand.com/catalog.asp?dept=104003 And you can have some money left over for scarves as well.

 

[Linx]

Yeah I considered just getting something tailored. I have heard of slimmer fitting overcoats though and at one of the better places I went to, the lady said they had slim ones last year and might eventually get some in. If I buy one that is already slim to begin with, is that going to be a lot better or is it pretty easy to get a tailoring that looks right?

If I do get it tailored, what do I tell them in order to make sure it does not end up looking stupid? I am not really even sure how slim I should get it, I just know what I was trying on was waaaay too big. Do you have to tell them how to taper it or is there really only one way to do it?

 

[intent]

Originally Posted by Linx

Yeah I considered just getting something tailored. I have heard of slimmer fitting overcoats though and at one of the better places I went to, the lady said they had slim ones last year and might eventually get some in. If I buy one that is already slim to begin with, is that going to be a lot better or is it pretty easy to get a tailoring that looks right?

If I do get it tailored, what do I tell them in order to make sure it does not end up looking stupid? I am not really even sure how slim I should get it, I just know what I was trying on was waaaay too big. Do you have to tell them how to taper it or is there really only one way to do it?
First of all, fine one that fits on your shoulders. Then wear your suit when you go to the tailor, and show him how you want it to fit just slightly larger than the suit.