Preparing for January in Italy

I and a group of ASW readers commissioned a length of flannel overcoating last year, and my piece of it is finally taking shape. Peter Harvey had the coat ready for fitting this week, in the hope that it will be ready for wear in Italy in January during the "giornate della merla" (the days of the blackbird that are supposed to be the coldest of the Italian year). I no longer own an overcoat that fits me and this one is definitely going to be considerably warmer than a topcoat.

A dark brown 6x2 double breasted with a low vee intended to show off a scarf, the coat came to the fitting with sleeves that needed to be re-attached and armholes that were too high (better that than the opposite). Peter ripped the sleeves off on the spot, a dramatic sight that used to shock when someone did it with my arm still in the offending sleeve.

At close range the coat is a black and brown herringbone that will be worn with a fedora in milder weather and an Astrakhan Ambassador when it is cold. Now the question becomes whether to choose silver or black for the fur. What do you think?