I'd be inclined to wait and see what the weather in blighty is like when you get there, freezing and horrible or just simply depressing. Then pop into a charity shop and pick up an appropriate coat.

I have seen little in M&S, BHS or Debenhams that I would consider buying. The quality is usually poor - material, stitching and fit. House of Fraser is full of the standard global brands that can be found elsewhere.

Going back to the OP, another option would be a raincoat, trenchcoat or topcoat from Aquascutum or Burberry. He might get some wear out of a raincoat or trenchcoat in the US.

I would imagine that all the shops listed above would be a delight to an American in London with an overcoat dilemma.  You chaps are treating him most harshly - Remember - This is a guy with an overcoat dilemma. He's not the same as you or me.

A little compassion, please.


As for Black Tie in London Restaurants, we still need to know where our friend intends to dine and whether he will be dining alone or with a companion.

Also of interest are his plans to walk around the city at night...

I think you miss my point, he has bespoke tux's, he is looking at $2000 coats online, and you're suggesting M&S? I'm just under the impression he can afford a very nice coat.

Gilgamesh, you wrote, "Rob, if you could give us a short list of restaurants where you might dine after leaving your black tie event we might be able to make a more precise recommendation. Will you be taking the midnight blue evening wear or the black?"

I am taking both a blue and a black tuxedo to London. I am attending two black tie events and I would like to have two different tuxedos. Some of the same people might be at both events and I do not want to appear in the same tuxedo both nights. I am also going to the opera. However, in that the performance is not on opening night, I assume that most people will be in dark suits rather than black tie so I guess I will not need a tuxedo for that.

These are three of the restaurants where I might dine on the night when I planto leave a black tie event early and meet friends for dinner.

The Ledbury
Notting Hill

Gordon Ramsay at 68
68 Royal Hospital Road

The Restaurant at the Ritz Hotel


Thank you (and everyone) for all the advice.

Rob

*Ahem* Compassion ?

I'd advise against Black tie in those restaurants. You'll look like an over-dressed tourist. People laugh at those in Black Tie at the Opera  -   Sadly.  Maybe.

Just how much luggage are you schlepping over here ?

I forgot to write that, a few days ago, I talked with my tailor. He is going to make a lighter weight  cashmere coat for me. (He said something about double-sided cashmere.) He said that the RTW will coat will look great for now. And like some of you, he said compared to what the coat he is making will cost, $2,000 is not much, lol. As I knew he would, he said that if I am going to wear the coat over a tuxedo, I should get black cashmere. I like the coats I see on the Burberry website and I have written down all the various store names many of you have been kind enough to suggest.

Simon, you mention a cape. I have always thought wearing a cape would be interesting. The right choice of lining could make a cape look amazing. But I have never actually seen any well-dressed many wearing a cape. Do men actually wear capes in London?

I sincererly appreciate all the advice. And I am not at all bothered by any of the comments. Asking why someone who wears bespoke suits could even think twice about buying a relatively inexpensive coat is a valid question. I guess I would answer that by saying that I was very worried a RTW coat would look bad, but my tailor assured me it would not so I am now fine with the idea. And I have had the pleasure of posting in this forum.

And to the question of how many things I am packing, I am packing too much, lol. But I have a number of events and dinners to attend and I need a a variety of clothes. As you know, packing suits takes a lot of room. My tailor presses the suits and stuffs the sleeves and part of the shoulder with tissue then seals the suit in plastic. I then put the suits in a suitcase and stabilize them with tissue paper or other clothes. But packing suits just takes a lot of room. In the States, for this type of trip, I ship the suits via Fed Ex in those special hanging boxes, but international shipping costs are just too high. When you check your clothes with the airlines, do you ever think about the replacement cost of the clothes if the airline loses your luggage? I think about that all the time, lol.

btw, does my being "too thick" to want to buy a coat mean that I am too cheap or too stupid? Here in the U.S., "thick" would mean that I am dumb. (I must admit that there are a lot of people in this world smarter than I.)

Rob

Last edited by DJFM (2011-10-08 16:03:54)

DJFM,

Regarding, "Won't your new coat make your old suits look shit?"
Yes, probably.

Rob

Rob, since you care about the appearance of your Guccis, I suggest you find the name of a good "shine" in London. I wouldn't recommend leaving them outside your room door at night like the great Cary Grant and Fred Astaire would do--I once stayed in a small hotel near the old Euston Station and left a pair of Florsheim Imperial Cordovan Wingtips outside my door for a shine.  I found them there in the morning. Not only weren't they shined, but the left shoe contained a used condom.

Also, while it's perfectly acceptable in Boston and New York to call these boys "Shines", the appellation might be a little unfamiliar to the English Men of the Polish, and you might get popped. So be careful.

Finally, following up on Gilgamesh's suggestions for more appropriate evening wear, I would suggest adding white kid gloves and a monocle.  The same sources will be able to help you.  (If you've got the balls.)