Buying An Overcoat

October 19th, 2010

A wool coat can be an important investment. Wool coats come in a variety of shapes and forms, from business blazers to thick pea coats. The variety are vast, from Frock Coat, Top Coat, Pea Coat, Duffle Coat in luxirous wool, wool and cashmere, pure cashmere, camel hair in huge color range. Due to the variety of choices it may take some consideration to decide what type of coat is right for you. Some things to consider include the intended use of the coat, how cold it gets where you are, how long you want the coat to last, and how much you intend to spend on your new wool coat. With all these decisions, a tailor can assist you making the right choice.

As a fabric, wool has a number of advantages. Wool is naturally water resistant thanks to the lanolin it contains, although you may start to smell like a wet sheep if your wool coat gets too wet. Wool is also an excellent insulator, and a wool coat will keep you warm when other fibers might not. However, wool has a few disadvantages as well. If the fabric gets wet through, it will be very heavy and take a long time to dry. Most wool garments are also dry clean only, which can be expensive and time consuming. In addition, wool sometimes irritates the skin, and for this reason wool garments should be lined with silk, cotton, or another similar material so that the wool fibers will not cause itching.

Wool coats come in a number of weights. Some wool is light enough to be worn in the summer time in some areas, and can lend the wearer an air of style and sophistication. Thin wool tends to drape very well, making it extremely flattering on most figures. Thicker weights of wool are designed for overcoats and cold weather. Thicker wool will cause the figure to bulk out, which is an important thing to think about when buying a wool coat.

If you are a businessperson, you may want to consider a blazer or slim lined long wool coat. This type of coat could keep you warm and looking professional. Most wool blazers have a matching set of pants or skirt as well, so that you can maintain a well put together and matched look. Longer wool coats can be worn over a business suit and checked at the door or hung up in your office. In well heated buildings, this is a good option because it would allow you to wear lighter clothing underneath, and still be warm when you went outside.

If you are looking purely for warmth, a pea coat or another type of thick wool overcoat is worth investigating as well. Pea coats tend to have a more square cut, which could make you look more boxy. It is an excellent idea to try on several pea coats and find a fit which flatters you. Pea coats tend to be thick and lined, meaning that they will keep out most cold winds. When trying on an overcoat, try to wear multiple layers underneath it, so that you will get an accurate idea of how the wool coat will look and fit.

Generally, the more expensive the wool coat, the longer it will last. Sometimes you can get a deal on a quality wool coat: just be sure to look for solid, even stitching, strong well woven fabric, and 100% wool content. In thinner wool garments, a wool/cashmere or wool/silk mix would be acceptable as well. When you do decide to purchase an expensive wool coat, make sure it is custom tailored so that it fits you well.