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It's time to invest in an outerwear style that'll make the coming season a lot more stylish. Camel Hair Sliver Brown
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a man in possession of good fortune must be in want of a good topcoat. Isn't that what Jane Austen said? Oh, well. The point is—a topcoat is the marker of a man, the distinguisher between a boy who throws on a non-weather appropriate hoodie and calls it a day, and a man, who has a go-to coat, the perfect final layer, the crisp, clean last piece to the puzzle that brings the entire look together for winter.
The right topcoat isn't a piece you bring out once a year, when winter calls for it; it's a closet staple, worn time and time again, just as wearable with denim as it is with silk, just as chic with sneakers as it is with loafers. A good topcoat should be warm, cozy, and durable. A great topcoat should be fashionable and versatile, too. A topcoat is meant to be layered, unlike an overcoat, which is typically heavier, longer, and, dare I say, all-consuming. It's a happy medium between overcoat and peacoat, hanging at or just above the knee, with lighter fabrics, easy layering abilities, and if you know where to look, sharp and elegant tailoring. But—well, you're here, so despite what Austen thinks, it seems like you do know where to look. And that makes for a fortunate man indeed.
Cole Haan has given us quality footwear at hard-to-beat prices since what feels like time immemorial. And though it hasn't been offering apparel for quite as long, its standards stay true across all categories.
From shirts to socks, Amazon Essentials pretty much has it all—and at a swell price, too. The in-house label of the behemoth retailer makes the kind of goods that really are, well, essential.
When it comes to classic silhouettes, timeless colorways, and fabrics that'll last the long haul, few can hold a candle to Ralph Lauren.
Suitsupply's sharp gray overcoat is made of richly textured wool, sourced from Italy's Vitale Barberis Canonico mill. Cut to fit as slim as your favorite suit (the martingale, aka half-belt, helps with that), it also features broad peak lapels and large flapped patch pockets.
We could go on and on about the near-perfect texture and silhouette of this Raey topper. Or we could narrow it down to one word: elegant.
If fine tailoring is what you're looking for, Ermenegildo Zegna is as classic as they come. But this doesn't mean that the brand is stuck in the past. It tweaks the tried and true continuously, offering styles that are cleverly updated for the modern age.
Nautica doesn't overcomplicate things. This is a topcoat you can wear with anything, and certainly bring anywhere. The timeless elegance is only made better by the fact that its on sale for 100 bucks right now.
A long-line, single-breasted look that won't cost you too much for all the times you'll certainly wear it.
For sleek, suave style under $100, Dockers is the way to go. Gray pairs with just about everything, and who doesn't love a single-breasted, two-button design?
If you're going to get a versatile cashmere and wool coat anywhere, let it be Uniqlo. They know outerwear like few retailers do, and unlike many other places, their prices are almost ridiculously good for how durable and high-quality their pieces are.
J.Crew's smart topcoat is complete with a checked print, chest pocket, and classy silhouette.
Banana Republic makes a car coat look dressy, with hidden buttons, a tailored structure, and minimalist design.
Look like a thousand bucks for the next several winters to come. All it takes is spending a few hundred bucks this winter.
Warm but not bulky, not too casual, not too formal—consider this the ultimate, versatile topcoat.
With nearly vintage-looking plaid and a streamlined silhouette, Todd Snyder's topcoat is straight out of a movie. (At least, it'll feel like that when this becomes your signature look.)
Looking sharp has never felt so soft.
Loro Piana's cashmere topcoat is the luxury of all luxuries. While everyone else is freezing under a bulky parka, you'll be warm and cozy as hell in this soft, elevated number.
A versatile, minimalist wool and cashmere coat that can suit any vibe from sweatpants to, well, a suit.
Nili Lotan can make an oversized silhouette look intentional, classy, and expensive in that way that only high-profile celebrities can. This coat is stylish and easy to throw over anything for an instantly warmer, chicer look.
A timeless, basic camel overcoat that you'll wear for years to come, and probably miss during warmer months.
Trishna Rikhy is the Associate Style Commerce Editor at Esquire. Previously, her writing has appeared in Vogue Runway, PAPER Magazine, V Magazine, V MAN, and more. She is based in NYC, but can probably be found wherever the strongest cup of coffee is.
Barry Samaha is the former style commerce editor at Esquire, where he covered all things fashion and grooming. Previously, he was an editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Surface, and WWD, along with overseeing editorial content at Tod’s Group. He has also written for The Daily Beast, Coveteur, Departures, Paper, Bustle Group, Forbes, and many more. He is based in New York City and can't seem to find enough closet space for all his shoes.
Avidan Grossman is the Style eCommerce Editor at Esquire, covering men’s fashion, shoes, grooming, and accessories. He spends way too much time deciding what to wear. Needless to say, his parents still have no idea what he does.
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