One of the best things about fall and winter is that you get to wear your favorite coat almost every day. A good coat is like a good suit. Put it on and you feel almost invincible. But there are a lot of styles to choose from. Here are ten of the most common, with options at three price tiers for each. (Shown Above: J. Crew Dock Peacoat)
Mac style raincoat
- Skimp: Quince Mac Style Jacket – $104
- Spend: Cole Haan 3-in-1 Hooded Mackintosh* – $214.80 ($358)
- *Have it. Really like it. Comes with a detachable, quilted vest for layering. Hood is detachable as well.
- Spend: J. Crew Water-Resistant Cotton Twill Coat – $383.60 w/ SHOPMORE ($548) above
- Splurge: Suitsupply Water-Repellent Italian Wool Polyurethane Raincoat – $449
Uninsulated and dead simple. Looks good with everything from a t-shirt and jeans to a suit and tie. Perfect for fall as well as spring. (And the odd cooler summer day.) Can be layered under with a light quilted or puffer vest for not brutally cold winter conditions.
Topcoat
- Skimp: BR Factory Poly-Wool-Blend Topcoats – $80ish ($280)
- Spend: Banana Republic Italian Melton Topcoats – $268.80 ($448)
- Splurge: Spier 85% Wool / 15% Cashmere Overcoats – $448 above
“What’s the difference between that and a mac?” These are made of wool and a bit thicker, whereas a Mac is usually cotton, poly, or a blend of the two, and is more of a water resistant shell than a warmth providing device.
Peacoat
- Skimp: Kenneth Cole New York Wool Blend Peacoat – $79.97 (via Nordy Rack)
- Spend: Banana Republic Italian Melton Peacoat – $298.80 ($498)
- Spend: J. Crew Dock Peacoat – $398 shown very top of post
- Splurge: Billy Reid Made in Italy Bond Peacoat – $898 above
Tip: Check your local Army/Navy Surplus Store for deals on the real thing. Made from Wool Melton for durability and water resistance, these coats look both bad-arse and professional. They can also be worn casually and dressed up, assuming the tail is long enough to (comfortably) cover a suit jacket or sportcoat tail. They’re warm, weather resistant, and capable… and therefore a perfect example of how functionality is often the basis of true timeless style.
Bomber or Harrington
- Skimp: (Amazon sourced) JMIERR Quilted Bomber Jacket – $50ish above
- Spend: Bonobos Italian Moleskin Bomber – $174.30 ($249)
- Splurge: Spier & Mackay Wool/Cashmere Flight Jacket – $358
Quick, think of a men’s jacket. You probably just pictured a bomber or harrington. These jackets are as classic as it gets, but if the jacket in question is too boxy or beige, it can quickly drift into grump-old-guy territory. Keep it sleek, and if you’re going with earth tones, keep it dark and/or saturated.
Trucker or Jean Jacket
- Skimp: GAP Corduroy Icon Jacket – $60ish
- Spend: Bonobos Gramercy Denim Jacket – $118.30 ($169)
- Splurge: Made in the USA Flint & Tinder Waxed Trucker – $328 above
- Mega Splurge: Spier & Mackay Suede Trucker – $748
Most jean jackets are truckers, but not all truckers are made from denim. Plenty are made from canvas (waxed or regular), corduroy, or even suede. Regardless of which style you prefer, these are true examples of casual, rugged, timeless American style.
Field Jacket / Barn Jacket / Rancher
- Skimp: Amazon Essentials Cotton Canvas Barn Jacket – $35ish
- Skimp: UNIQLO Utility Jacket – $49.90 ($79.90)
- Spend: J. Crew Factory Field Jacket – $149 above
- Spend: Alpha Industries M-65 Field Jacket – $250
- Splurge: Made in the USA Flint & Tinder Flannel-Lined Quilted Waxed Rancher – $398
Field Jackets have a decidedly military inspiration, as they’re usually modeled after the military M65 (which you may be able to find at your local army/Navy surplus store). Barn/ranchers obviously have a more agrarian heritage. Each style is usually made from cotton twill with a water resistant finish. Both have a casual/smart casual style ceiling, meaning: they almost certainly won’t look good with a blazer or suit.
Chore Coat
- Skimp: (via Amazon) Chef Works Men’s Utility Chore Coat – $80ish
- Spend: Bonobos Italian Wool Chore Jacket – $139.30 ($199)
- Spend: Spier & Mackay Corduroy Chore Coat – $168
- Spend: Flint and Tinder Classic Chore Coat – $188 above
- Splurge: Flint & Tinder Boiled Wool Chore Blazers – $268
Lighter in weight and bridges the gap between extremely casual “sportcoat” and outerwear. Cut somewhere between a blazer and a shirt jacket, these things look great over tees, henleys, polos, and sweaters. They’re a perfect extra layer a lot of us reach for all. the. time.
Quilted (Jacket or Vest)
- Skimp: J. Crew Factory Walker Quilted Vest – $89.50
- Spend: J. Crew Quilted Jacket with PrimaLoft – $198.40 w/ SHOPMORE ($248)
- Spend: Barbour Lindfield Quilted Jacket – $208.97 ($295)
- Spend: Waxed Quilted Jacket – $238.80 ($398)
- Mega Splurge: Brooks Brothers Quilted Walking Coat – $778.80 ($1,298)
Not your Grandma’s quilt, although she loves you and wishes you’d call more. Quilted and insulated, these jackets help keep you warm, while also keeping their insulation’s bulk from getting out of control.
Puffer (Jacket or Vest)
- Skimp: Amazon Essentials Puffer Vest – $28.60
- Skimp: BR Factory Vertical Channel Jacket – $67.50
- Spend: lululemon Down for it All Hoodie – $228
- Splurge: Barbour Beaufort Baffle Quilted Puffer Jacket – $395
“What’s the difference between that and the quilted jackets?” The puffiness, as the channeling is almost always horizontal instead of a diamond or onion pattern. That said, some brands (lululemon especially) have gotten very good at reducing extra bulk while still maintaining warmth. Style ceiling is almost always casual, although some truly fancier versions can come in more dressed-up silhouettes. But those are rare.
Leather / Suede / Faux
- Skimp (faux): BR Factory Vegan Suede Bomber – $85ish
- Skimp: Bagatelle Genuine Suede Harrington Jacket – $233.40 ($389)
- Spend Frye Leather Bomber Jacket – $324.97 ($645) above
- Spend: Bonobos The Suede Bomber – $499
- Splurge: J. Crew Flight Jacket in Italian suede with PrimaLoft – $628.60 w/ SHOPMORE ($898)
- Splurge: USA Made Gustin L3 Horween #8 – $899
Usually made in a bomber or cafe-racer style, but can sometimes be made in field or rancher styles. Leather is a material that’s difficult to make cheaply, so be wary of super cheap options. Although faux suede has come a long way in the last few years, so that may be something worth looking into if you’re not sure you’re a “leather jacket” type or not, and don’t want to bet the farm on some true beef, mutton, or goat.