It is nearly winter in the northern hemisphere and cold enough for an overcoat the other day. Just. And I pulled out my heavyweight flannel that had been hanging in a closet since it was delivered a year ago, in time for a trip to Italy that never saw temperatures worthy of it. The piece is the one thing I have to wear when temperatures are below freezing, as my other coats are lighter cloth in keeping with the mild temperatures where I live.
One can always have more I suppose, but I think that four over/topcoats is about the right number. A tweed for the country. A topcoat for shoulder season. A chesterfield or something for evening. And an overcoat for serious cold.
The differences between overcoats and topcoats have been discussed in this space in the past. Generally, a topcoat is lighter cloth of perhaps 18 ounces (540 grams) or even lighter - my tweed is just 15 ounces (450 grams). And an overcoat is 22 ounces (660 grams) or even heavier. That extra adds a pound or two to the weight, but it makes a considerable difference in terms of the coat's ability to keep the wearer warm.
One feature of a good coat that is often neglected but should not be is a large buttoning pocket in the front of the interior lining that will suffice for a newspaper or, more usefully, a scarf when the coat is removed in a restaurant or somewhere similar. That solves the problem of what to do with the things when a man is out and about, since stuffing one into a coat sleeve is inevitably associated with a high rate of loss. Scarves are too dear to be treated casually, and a suitable pocket is something that an alterations tailor can add at a relatively nominal cost.
With a good coat, scarf, gloves and overshoes, winter is reduced to an inconvenience. Coinsiderable, to be sure, but merely an inconvenience nonetheless.
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8 comments:
Maybe it is arguable that clothes are an inconvenience that may be minimized by living somewhere tropical!
NJS
Will, that is a beautiful coat!! You wear it well.
Will, that might be my favorite thing I've ever seen you wear. That is really outstanding.
Actually, I enjoy the opportunity the colder weather gives me to wear an overcoat and all the wonderful cold weather accessories. I really enjoy cold weather clothing and how it layers and works well together. I'm sure you've heard the phrase... "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing."
"With a good coat, scarf, gloves and overshoes, winter is reduced to an inconvenience. Considerable, to be sure, but merely an inconvenience nonetheless."
Like Tim, I disagree: with a coat like that in your closet, winter is something to look forward to!
A wonderful look!
"One feature of a good coat that is often neglected but should not be is a large buttoning pocket in the front of the interior lining that will suffice for a newspaper or, more usefully, a scarf when the coat is removed in a restaurant or somewhere similar."
-A flask, Will. That pocket is for a flask.
Wonderful coat, but where's your hat? (Another benefit of cold weather, I think.)
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