New Top Coat

[acmarinello]

Just bought a new topcoat (overcoat) from Joseph A Bank. They had a great sale going on and I couldn't pass up the camel hair. With that and the new flat cap, I think I'm ready for my trip to Chicago next week.

The salesman sold me on camel hair when he told me that Reagan wore camel hair often.

 

[TheShaun]

Congrats on your purchase. I have never bought a top coat even though I'm in Canada. If you're gonna wear it over a suit jacket, do you buy it 1 or 2 sizes bigger?

 

[acmarinello]

About size. I wear a 42 short and some say that's a little big for me. The salesman put me in a 38 short topcoat and it fit great. I was skeptical until he let me wear the topcoat with a suit jacket underneath. Sure enough, it fit.

First, I may be getting the wrong size suit jacket (and my cheaper suits are cut a little smaller). Second, he said the topcoats are made with extra room so he usually suggests going down a size.

 

[Agent8426]

I'm in the market for a new topcoat, in fact I'm going to Jos A. Bank tomorrow. I've also been told that they are cut with extra room to fit over the suit jacket.

Is your coat full length, or 3/4?

 

[ShaveDave]

I've had my Jos A Bank topcoat for about 2 years. I love the thing.

It is cut large enough to fit over a jacket, but it isn't so large that you looks stupid just wearing with with a just collared shirt and no jacket.

 

[Doc4]

I think that online retailers would do themselves a great service if they could clearly state the answer to the "fit" question. "This topcoat is designed to fit perfectly over top of our 'size 42' suit jacket" ... "this coat will fit you the same as our 'size 42' suit jacket; to wear over our suit jacket, please size up two sizes" ... that sort of thing.

 

[TenorClef]

My wife recently picked up a great Dun & Co tweed overcoat for me from a charity shop which looks great and fits nicely 'as is' but not with a jacket underneath which is a pity really, still its warm enough and i like the colour and pattern. I assume if your a 44 jacket then a 46 overcoat would be the correct corresponding size.

 

[acmarinello]

Update: I went back to Jos A Bank and switched up to the 40 short. I wear 42 coat, but I guess I'm a little smaller in the chest right now.

After much Internet research, most topcoats are being sized so that a 42 topcoat will fit well over a 42 suit jacket. The tweed topcoats seem to be the exception as the Harris brand seems to be sized at the same dimensions as your suit jacket. So, with tweed, you might consider going up a size.

Lastly, WHEN the topcoat was made is a factor. Older topcoats are sized close to the same as jackets, but newer ones (and likely ones made by better stores like Jos A Bank) take it into account so that you buy your normal size.

The best bet is to bring your suit jacket and try some on..

To answer about length, I got the full length as the 3/4 Jos A Bank topcoats have a closed top. I like the open front of the full length so that tie and shirt show through.

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Great purchase!!!

Last X-mas, the Mrs. bought a black Cashmere top coat w/ Scraf (it's that time to 'break-it-out' this Winter), last year for my present from Jos A. Banks

Christopher

 

[StylinLA]

I think that online retailers would do themselves a great service if they could clearly state the answer to the "fit" question. "This topcoat is designed to fit perfectly over top of our 'size 42' suit jacket" ... "this coat will fit you the same as our 'size 42' suit jacket; to wear over our suit jacket, please size up two sizes" ... that sort of thing.

I agree Doc...it can be confusing. But having just recently bought one, I noticed with each brand there was a different fit. Picking for my suit size, some ran small and some ran large. As often as not, they're probably pretty accurately sized for your suit size, but if you blind buy online, you may be returning for larger or smaller size.

 

[Agent8426]

I just ordered the Jos A Bank "tailored fit" top coat. The regular coats fit like garbage bags on me. Hopefully this will be a good fit as I didn't get to try it on first.