Winter Coats On A Budget (or) Yes, You Can Stay Warm + Stylish + Eat
The only winter coat I’ve owned in the last two years is my heavy herringbone gray coat that I found at a thrift store for only $30. Although it is very nice and versatile, I needed one all black winter coat for the more “dressy” look.
I found what I was looking for at Daffy’s on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn (click here for map). Super slim fitting and beautifully soft to the touch, this Patrizia Pepe brand “skinny” coat fit like a glove. Total price was $160 which is a steal for a coat that will need no tailoring and is made from Wool and Cashmere.
Patrizia Pepe Formal Coat - $160
Let me expound a bit on the correct fit of a winter coat. When I say FITTED I do not by any means mean TIGHT. A winter coat needs a bit of room to get over a suit or other layers. If you get one that’s too tight, you will end up looking bunched up as well as very silly as you try and hail a cab for your lady and can’t get your arm above your head. The coat has to also not look like you are wearing a garbage bag. So what do you do if you are not wearing a suit jacket or sweater whilst shopping? Find one in the store and put it on with the coat. This will give you a great idea of the size you are dealing with. Walk around for a minute and make sure it is not constricting. Try reaching above your head. If there is too much tightness under the armpits you are in too tight territory. If you cannot feel the armpits at all you have gone WAY TOO LARGE.
Start your search soon. Winter is just around the corner.
Love the blog. Question, I’ve got a wool coat from Lands End. This one actually, in black. http://www.landsend.com/pp/WoolCarCoat~200460_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::CAM&CM_MERCH=IDX_00001__0000000043&origin=index Think its possible to get it tailored? It’s not as “fitted” as I’d like it to be. Or am I better off scrapping it and just biting the bullet over at Daffys?
Also, I’m in the process of slimming down and I’ve got a couple of blazers I want to get tailored, do I wait till I get to my goal weight or just do it now? I’m at about 200 and have about 20lbs to go. Figure I’ll get there in between 6-8 weeks.
Thanks in advance,
Jared
Hey Jared,
Thanks for reading!!!
That is a VERY nice coat and would probably cost about $40-$50 more for tailoring. I think it is of a classic design so you will get years of use out of it.
If you have 20 more pounds to shed definitely wait on tailoring everything. You don’t want to end up having to pay twice for tailoring. During this in between phase, however, you can use the larger fitting clothes to show off how much progress you have made.
A heartfelt congratulations to you on slimming down. All the best of luck to you as you reach your goal!! And if you ever feel lke giving up, just think of how amazing that lands end coat and those blazers will look a size or two smaller.
All the best,
Dennis Cahlo