Express Outerwear. The Good, The Bad, and The Ridiculous.
One of the reasons I look forward to Fall every year is that I finally get to wear my Wool 3/4 Double Breasted Peacoat. I bought it at Express a few years back and couldn’t be happier with it. It’s the perfect length (hits around mid-thigh) and the details are right on. Good sized collar for when it gets windy, slash pockets near the chest for my hands, and larger pockets on the front. It’s tapered in at the sides and heavy enough for any weather.
Too bad they don’t seem to make it anymore. Express can be a terrific, or a terrible place to pick up a new coat or jacket. Here’s some of what they have right now, and you’ll see it runs the full gamut:
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The Good: Express (Minus the Leather) Military Bomber – $148.00
They say every guy needs to have a leather jacket at some point in his life. Who’s “they”? I can’t remember… but it seems like GQ/Esquire/Details have all stated something similar in the past. The Express Minus-the-Leather Military Bomber has clean lines and a trim body. Which is rare for a bomber, since most muffin top out at the bottom, making you look like you’ve got a spare tire even if you don’t. Affordable at $150. Even less if you use a promo coupon.
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The Bad: Express Wool Military Topcoat $298.00
Oy. I don’t know what was so wrong with their military topcoat from last year, but this one is over the top thanks to the silver buttons. Topcoats that get down to your knees are inherently dressy, so they look just slightly off if you’re going anywhere but to a funeral or the symphony. So opt for a pea-coat if you’re deciding between the two. And back to those buttons. They make the coat look like you stole it off the set of The Hunt for Red October.
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The Ridiculously Ugly: Express Wool Military Jacket – $168.00
Speaking of costumes… No. Ever. Not ever. Not even if your middle name is Tecumseh. You aren’t a civil war reenactor (you aren’t, are you?). Expect these to be on clearance in a few months, and don’t buy one even if they’re 80% off. Don’t wear one even if someone gives it to you for free.
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“It was twenty years ago today,
Express taught the band to play…
They’ve been going in and out of style
But they’re guaranteed to raise a smile…”
Great poetry from kyle. I totally agree with you Joe on the third look. I think its too much even for “The Last Samurai”. The pleather jacket is not my style,(even though there’s nothing wrong with buying one if leather is out of your budget). I have a “theory” that I got on sale for about the same price as the one above. Just that the one above seems a little too relaxed and I don’t see it looking quite as good if I try dressing it up. The 2nd look on the other hand I think looks pretty sweet. I actually like the silver buttons on the black coat just like I like the gold buttons on the ivy league navy blazer from Ralph Lauren. The peacoat you have is nice looking as well though. And I would consider buying the one above if I didn’t already have a very similar trench from H&M. Or preferably this very similar but much more beautiful one from Balmain: http://www.gq.com/fashion-shows/brief/S2011MEN-BALMAINMEN
I own the military topcoat. It is by far the most comolimented coat i own. The buttons are not as reflective as the image makes them look. The collar is perfect, and stands well for that “casual dressy” feel. The length is great too. It falls perfectly. I dont understand your issue with it. Have you tried it on?