The Overcoat Thread

[bjhofkin]

That's a wonderful coat. It looks like the bold-patterned Balmacaan my friend called his Hadrian's
Wall" coat because he wore it when he toured Hadrian's Wall some 30 years ago. His commitment
to traditional clothing can be summed up in his statement at the time, "No Thinsulate for me"
This was in Chicago where winter is "real" and down and/or Thinsulate is an easy choice.

Let me tell you something.

That coat isn't doing SH-T in Minneapolis today (-10° for the HIGH) without some SERIOUS layers underneath.

Admittedly, layering is part of the logic of the Balmacaan design, but the point stands that a plain wool overcoat – ANY wool overcoat – is not in and of itself a solution in SERIOUSLY cold weather. And I LOVE wool overcoats (as evidenced by my participation in this thread).

 

[epsilon22]

I only have one tweed overcoat, the grey herringbone balmacaan by Spier & Mackay (I think Magee fabric, not sure about weight), I actually found it less wind-proof than the melton wool fabric on my Suitsupply peacoat. For windy weather I really need multiple layers underneath to stop the wind chill.

This be me in Minnesota wearing my balmacaan or peacoat.

 

[K. Nights]

Let me tell you something.

That coat isn't doing SH-T in Minneapolis today (-10° for the HIGH) without some SERIOUS layers underneath.

Admittedly, layering is part of the logic of the Balmacaan design, but the point stands that a plain wool overcoat – ANY wool overcoat – is not in and of itself a solution in SERIOUSLY cold weather. And I LOVE wool overcoats (as evidenced by my participation in this thread).

As a fellow Minneapolitan, I agree. No amount of wool will protect you today.