After disparaging tweed overcoats for cold weather travel yesterday, let us consider a suitable alternative.
The illustration, from a 1935 Esquire, shows a single breasted peak lapelled fly front topcoat in a gray herringbone weave for city wear (J&J Minnis have a nice 18 ounce version of the cloth here). It's worn by a young ne'er do well but that shouldn't stop men who are constructively employed. And, by the way, for those who may be wondering, a fly front means the buttons down the front are covered by a flap of cloth.
A topcoat like this one can be worn just about anywhere short of a bitter cold day in Moscow. Don it over a blue worsted suit and it's correct in the stodgiest office lobby. Or throw it on over flannel trousers and yesterday's tweed jacket to stand in line for a cab at the airport. Said another way, gray herringbone is among the most versatile dress coats a man can own and wouldn't be out of place as his wardrobe's go-to covering, assuming he's already got a raincoat with a zip-out lining.
Truly a better coat, for travel or other pursuits.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
And A Better Coat
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8 comments:
Will,
How would you compare a tan camel hair coat in the same style in terms of versatility and warmth with this one?
Great post, Will. I suppose the virtues of such a coat would extend to its ability to conceal a hip flask, which, judging by the look on the young ne'er do well's mother (or wife?), is a particularly critical attribute.
Sameer, I'd call them a push except that the camel hair I've seen has been overcoat weight rather than topcoat weight.
Not to be a stickler, but from the lapel overlap, doesn't that look like a double-breasted coat?
The notes to the photo claim the coat is single breasted, and who should know better?
She looks upset - almost as if they have locked her in the car and won't let her out.
Hello, in fall, do you put away summer dress shirts? If you do, how you do? Do you hang and store them on the hangers or fold then store in the drawer? - thanks
I have to agree with john; irrespective of the photo notes, the fact that the lapels cross well above the first button certainly seems to indicate a double-breasted coat. I'd be inclined to trust my eye rather than an anonymous note-writer.
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