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Overcoat color recommendation

13K views 17 replies 9 participants last post by  rnoldh  
#1 ·
I am looking to buy a car coat/short overcoat to wear with a navy blazer and the assorted slacks that coordinate with it. I would also like to know if there is a color that would also go with this tan color sport coat. You know, one coat to wear with both or is this out of the question? I asked this question in an ongoing overcoat thread in the Trad forum, but that thread has gone hopelessly astray as everyone is getting cranky insulting each other. :icon_smile_big:

This jacket is micro suede and it looks like corduroy. I like it because I can dress it up or down. I like the look for fall and winter use. Would charcoal or navy work with this or do I need a tan colored coat? Thanks for your feedback.

Image
 
#7 ·
SpookyTurtle:

Here's what I have in the Topcoat and Overcoat Chapter of The Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes:
Color for topcoats and overcoats Navy, and Black are traditionally, but camel and grays and browns are equally acceptable. Style (see below) and color does not have to coordinate with your suit. The coat is usually buttoned, hiding the suit or taken off indoors so the suit and coat are not really seen at the same time.

But since your jacket is a car coat and not an overcoat or a topcoat, the color maters less. Plus tan is a neutral color and will go with any other color. See the Color related articles linked from the Home Page:
COORDINATION


 
#11 ·
SpookyTurtle:

See the definintion in the Casual Coat Chapter of The Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes (don't have your own copy? :eek: Just order below! It's easy!! :icon_smile_big: ):
Car Coat - hip or mid-thigh length (34 to 36 inches) making it a casual coat invented to be less bulky when you're seated in a car. Became popular with the station-wagon set in suburbia in the 1950's (like the peacoat, duffel, mackinaw, stadium, toggle, etc.).
 
#12 ·
I went several years with only a tan trenchcoat which I wore with everything without regard for color. Then I added a black trenchcoat after which I wore the tan when I had on brown shoes and the black when I had on black shoes. I never had a true "topcoat" in the sense that I call a topcoat a long wool or cashmere coat.

With regard to car coats, I did buy a black wool car coat that is cut to be worn over a suit or sport coat; however, it sees primarily casual wear instead, much as I wore my old Navy peacoat for many years. I prefer the car coat to the pea coat for casual wear as it is much less bulky. A real peacoat is quite heavy. I just the other day added a 3/4 length black wool overcoat for wear with suits.

Cruiser
 
#13 ·
Is a carcoat the same as a 3/4 length overcoat?
That's always been my thought.

I do however tend to coordinate -- but not match -- my overcoats (be they full or 3/4) with what I wear. However, given the neutrality of the colors most common in overcoats ... that's not too difficult.
 
#14 ·
Also in the market for a car coat

I've been looking for much the same kind of coat, something for biz casual when my full length top coat was too formal. I'm also thinking about a coat that I could use to dress up jeans, hence I've been looking at pea coats and car coats in black, navy, or gray.

My problem is finding something that looks acceptable with khaki slacks, gray wool trousers, and jeans... and I've just about decided that I need at least two coats -

and now to the point of this reply - this coat at Lands End looks like it would do well for all manner of business dress:

and I guess what caught my eye was one of the pictures that showed how well the camel color worked with a gray suit.
 
#15 ·
My problem is finding something that looks acceptable with khaki slacks, gray wool trousers, and jeans.
Personally, I'm a big fan of tan/camel ... but you might consider fawn as as color. It's not too dark for the khaki trousers ... nor too light for the jeans.
 
#16 ·
I got out to do a bit of looking around and I guess what I am looking for is a 3/4 lenght coat, it falls somewhere at or above the knees. It seems like black is the most popular color regardless of length, followed by charcoal and navy and camel trailing the field. I have only looked at mainstream stores, not BB or the like. Then again, I am not looking to spend $600+ for this coat. I think I will be happy with a wool cashmere blend.