Whether a wrap coat polo style or just a classic double breasted, the camel hair overcoat is the coat to have if a man is only going to have one. As appropriate with a dinner jacket as it is with the checked suit in the Apparel Arts illustration, I can only guess that the reason the polo is not ubiquitous is that camel hair costs a bit more than wool.
Of course, the best camel hair coats are half wool anyway, as 100% camel tends to wear quickly. An equal amount of merino takes care of that problem and softens the cloth as well.
Camel hair coats come in a variety of designs. I'm not a fan of the wrap coat, preferring the classic double breasted, with or without a half belt. Patch pockets reduce formality, while the conventional kind are complemented with a ticket pocket. And the sleeves should have turnback cuffs.
Whatever the style, the important thing to remember is that they are obnoxious beasts and half a camel is better.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Iconic Clothing: The Camel Hair Overcoat
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12 comments:
I love your blog so much. Thanks for all the great insight.
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Thanks,
Dennis
Why don't all men have them? They're a bit rakish, especially if half-belted and pacth-pocketed. They draw attention more than the anonymous grey or navy or black chesterfield. Not everyone is up to that. So, I agree in part. If a man with style has only one overcoat, the camel polo is the thing. Less confident men might look elsewhere.
I think you are saying that a Polo coat is all wool and wraps over the body more, meaning it is more oversized. The Camelhair overcoat is more fitted and more tailored. The DB is the preferred coat, correct. Does it have to be camel color or is there such a thing as a Navy or Gray camelhair. Of course 50% wool.
I recently found myself in the market for a winter overcoat. I looked at camel colored coats but went with navy blue. The camel color for me was a bit visible and I like to fly under the radar screen as much as possible in my personal appearance.
I do recall an entry in Molloy's book, Dress for Success, that men who wear camel colored coats receive more respect than those who do not. Men who wear black coats receive the least respect. I believe this conclusion was based on some empirical study he performed.
I find that the most times that I need a formal coat are for graveside funerals. Would the camel hair fit for such an occasion?
Will, what are your thoughts on the single breasted vs. double breasted? I am 30 and a mildly stocky 5'9" and feel too young and too short for the double breast. Thoughts?
Camel overcoats can command respect more than most colors...but alas, I fear it is a color destined for the fair haired...
I have too many overcoats and topcoats. Several are tailor made (this is usually when your wife leaves you), others are handed down from dead relatives of bygone days (ie, vintage aristocracy spent drinking campari in the dead of winter outdoors).
Camel is one color that can make you look like a Marquis or a twit. If you are not the right complexion, you will look bad--I guarantee it. Generally, blondes have more fun here, but not always so...try it before you buy, and pay attention to various tones of this color...you'll know instantly if it is your color or not.
"Why don't all men have them?" Next to the automobile and suburban environmentally controlled hell, they can make some men look terrible.
While the color in the AA picture is beautiful, I would say that John's choice of blue for an overcoat will compliment those of us who aren't rakishly fair haired enough for a camel. Cashmere if you can...women can be so demanding when they're cold...
Will,
Can you recommend some cloth books with good camel hair coating material? Thanks!
Sameer I should have looked for the blends before I recommended them but I did not. I can say that both Scabal and Minnis have high quality 18-19 ounce cloth in pure camel.
A vintage polo coat of camel hair. A fantastic look in my book, especially belted.
[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/thunderw21/AA105.jpg[/IMG]
Any suggestions on where to find a camelhair wrap coat?
Tony, camel hair cloth does come in blue and gray. Harder to find in overcoat weights though.
Brian, I'd wear navy or charcoal were I you.
And Seneca, you'd most likely have to have the wrap coat made for you.
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