Overcoat over suit?

shoreman1782 · Mar 10, 2005

I realized this morning that I look like an idiot in my building's elevator, wearing a wool overcoat and carrying my suit jacket on a hanger. My question is - when you drive, do you wear your overcoat over your suit jacket? I don't like to wear my suit jacket while driving, and I find that an overcoat just compounds the problems - suit gets wrinkled/misshapen, none of the collars sit naturally, everything is in the way of the seatbelt, etc. I just carry my jacket to work, and put on the jacket when I take off the coat (I usally then take off the jacket and hang it in my officer). I feel like I'm overthinking this, but thats what the style forum is for.

Phil · Mar 10, 2005

Why would you wear the overcoat while you drive? Do you drive an open aired horse buggy? Thats what the heater is for. Drive in your dress shirt. Its more comfortable, and then when you arrive, put on your suit jacket and overcoat.

demeis · Mar 10, 2005

I never wear my suit jacket when driving. I can't stand to wear an overcoat either they both come off when i get in the car and both put back on when i get out. Now this is personal preferance but i have found that when you wear you suit jacket and drive it gets wrinkled and looks bad, but i'm driving and hour to work each day. I just can't stand the bulk of anything other than a shirt when driving.

shoreman1782 · Mar 10, 2005

Why would you wear the overcoat while you drive?

Because it's cold. I don't live in the Northern Territories, but I'm in no position to doff my overcoat when I get in my car in the morning. About halfway through my 1/2 hour commute, my car gets to room temp. I'll suffer a little to stay presentable, but I need some functionality at 6:30am. When I own a new car/house with a garage, then I can get in in just my shirt and tie.

I've noticed some guys in my parking lot getting out of their cars with jacket and overcoat on, and wanted to make sure I wasn't nuts. I'll probably continue as is - overcoat on over shirt and tie, suit jacket safely on a hanger.

Phil · Mar 10, 2005

I live in CT, and its plenty cold. When I wake up, I go outside, and start my car. After I am dressed and ready to go, my car is very warm. Can you do that?

shoreman1782 · Mar 10, 2005

Of course I could, and sometimes do. But then I'd have to leave it running with my spare key in it so I could lock it, which is more trouble than it's worth, for me.

Phil · Mar 10, 2005

Then I guess you are wearing your overcoat while you drive. Make sure not to shut the door on the end of the coat. I see that every once in a while, and feel pretty bad for the person.

Kai · Mar 10, 2005

I generally don't wear an overcoat while driving. If it's cold, I just crank up the heat. My car tends to heat up quickly, anyway, so I don't suffer for long.

Wedge · Mar 10, 2005

Then I guess you are wearing your overcoat while you drive. Make sure not to shut the door on the end of the coat. I see that every once in a while, and feel pretty bad for the person.

I did that once and proceeded to drive to school down a dirt road. Coat was ruined.

joseanes · Mar 10, 2005

I live in CT, and its plenty cold. When I wake up, I go outside, and start my car. After I am dressed and ready to go, my car is very warm. Can you do that?

In Massachusetts it is unlawfull to idle the car for more than 5 minutes. Starting the car and then dressing up would be illegal and inmoral (destroying the enviroment).

j · Mar 10, 2005

I sometimes wear a heavy coat (pea coat, overcoat) and drive in winter with the window open. I like cold air in my face. I think I must have been a dog in a former life.

nightowl6261a · Mar 10, 2005

I live in Georgia, park in a garage, have a heater, wear long sleeves, and keep my windows up....and I drove to work today wearing my overcoat form the door of the garage to the chair in my office, and by the way, it was only 39 degrees here this morning. DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TO KEEP WARM.

drizzt3117 · Mar 10, 2005

I left my overcoat on my rack at home and drove to work in my shirt, because it is 75 and sunny out

<ducks>

montecristo#4 · Mar 10, 2005

I used to live in Boston, and now I live in DC. I believe an overcoat is completely unnecessary. I wear one maybe once a year. During business hours, we live in a climate controlled world. I've found that those times that I am outside for extended periods in the winter I am almost always dressed casually.

So my best advice is simply to grow some balls and drive to work in your shirtsleeves. Hang your suit jacket on a hanger in the back seat. A little cold builds character and keeps you alert on the morning commute.

The one major exception to this would be NY city, where people don't drive to work.

LA Guy · Mar 10, 2005

A little cold builds character

I grew up in Canada (though people who grew up in Winnipeg have more say than I do on this matter) and can vouch for this. Forget Kiton this and Costume National that. When it get's really cold (I'm talking -20 C and below) your favorite color becomes "warm" and your favorite garment becomes "the warmest thing I've got". There is nothing like a Canadian winter.

BTW, I have less character than many of my compatriots because I grew up in relatively warm SE Ontario, and not on the Canadian Shield on in the northern prairies.

Overcoat over suit?

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