Ladies, I Urgently Need Your Expert Opinions

[LinaSt.Cecilia2772]

Black coat bro. I have a black pea coat and it literally works with almost anything. It's simple, elegant, and classy.

[SilentJoy]

I would never consider dropping $120 on a pea-coat that was not navy blue.

 

Think about how happy you will be with a navy blue pea-coat.

 

And think about how oddly sad and mildly resentful you will feel when are putting on your black pea-coat when you could have had navy blue.

 

Don't sell your soul.

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

ok first, yes I'm NOT a Lady, and second...I don't know if I am a clothing style expert, so my opinion may be discounted on a couple of fronts.

 

If you are still in the process of deciding I would encourage you to get A (singular, one) black jacket that is comfortable enough for fall and spring and can with an addition of a liner or such be warm enough for winter. That said a Pea coat... is not long enough, you should be looking at 3/4 length coats. such as a duffle coat, my personal preference is hooded with toggles.

 

Why? you might be asking. quite honestly I've been thinking a lot over the last year about simplicity and how Pope Francis has shown us a lot in humility and simplicity. I mean as an ARCHBISHOP he owned ONE pair of shoes...and the people in the office had to buy him new ones as a gift because he wouldn't do it. I think especially in the western world it is very easy to get distracted and forget how much stuff we really have and skew our perception of how much we need, and when has something really outlived it's usefulness (when it goes out of "style"? NO.)

 

One universally classic coat/jacket can serve multiple seasons and purposes, black is equally classic and easy to work with. Other places to examine whether you really NEED something or if you have too much, how many pairs of pants do you have and need? I know I needed to get rid of stuff when I was leaving for seminary and realized I had accumulated almost 30 pairs of pants in various browns and blacks, greys...I got rid of everything that would not go with black shoes...then cut a few more. 5 pairs of pants and a pair of jeans...all you need. Shirts, same thing. My point is 1) Get a black Jacket, it will do well for you and be the most universal 2) Do you REALLY NEED that jacket? 3) Do you think you NEED that jacket because you really have too much other clothing and need to find things to match?

 

 

[Golden Years]

Get two cheap coats (one black, one blue) at a second hand store and give the rest of the money to the poor. 

[Slappo]

ok first, yes I'm NOT a Lady, and second...I don't know if I am a clothing style expert, so my opinion may be discounted on a couple of fronts.

 

If you are still in the process of deciding I would encourage you to get A (singular, one) black jacket that is comfortable enough for fall and spring and can with an addition of a liner or such be warm enough for winter. That said a Pea coat... is not long enough, you should be looking at 3/4 length coats. such as a duffle coat, my personal preference is hooded with toggles.

 

Why? you might be asking. quite honestly I've been thinking a lot over the last year about simplicity and how Pope Francis has shown us a lot in humility and simplicity. I mean as an ARCHBISHOP he owned ONE pair of shoes...and the people in the office had to buy him new ones as a gift because he wouldn't do it. I think especially in the western world it is very easy to get distracted and forget how much stuff we really have and skew our perception of how much we need, and when has something really outlived it's usefulness (when it goes out of "style"? NO.)

 

One universally classic coat/jacket can serve multiple seasons and purposes, black is equally classic and easy to work with. Other places to examine whether you really NEED something or if you have too much, how many pairs of pantaloons do you have and need? I know I needed to get rid of stuff when I was leaving for seminary and realized I had accumulated almost 30 pairs of pantaloons in various browns and blacks, greys...I got rid of everything that would not go with black shoes...then cut a few more. 5 pairs of pantaloons and a pair of jeans...all you need. Shirts, same thing. My point is 1) Get a black Jacket, it will do well for you and be the most universal 2) Do you REALLY NEED that jacket? 3) Do you think you NEED that jacket because you really have too much other clothing and need to find things to match?

 

Unfortunately it isn't quite so simple (although for FP it probably could be since he isn't providing for a family yet). We should dress according to our state in life. St. Thomas Moore did not dress as a pauper because his state in life required more than that.

 

To some extent it's easier for an archbishop to dress simply than it is for a secular businessman. Pope Francis can preach simplicity, service to the poor, etc and live it out through action. Doing so does not impair or prevent him from fulfilling his duty. An attorney in a court of law has to impress a jury and judge while arguing a case. Wearing shoes with holes in them will be detrimental to that purpose.

Edited January 21, 2014 by Slappo

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

True, state in life means something, but we ought to be thinking about what our State in Life NEEDS vs if it gets out of hand. I also DID tailor my reply to FP as I have knowledge of his general background and goals to be able to give what I think is sensible advice. Particularly spending over $100 on a coat and only getting a year or two out of it and then realizing it doesn't work well for a cold NW Missouri winter at the seminary, so then giving up precious precious closet space for a coat that is rarely worn...

[PhuturePriest]

True, state in life means something, but we ought to be thinking about what our State in Life NEEDS vs if it gets out of hand. I also DID tailor my reply to FP as I have knowledge of his general background and goals to be able to give what I think is sensible advice. Particularly spending over $100 on a coat and only getting a year or two out of it and then realizing it doesn't work well for a cold NW Missouri winter at the seminary, so then giving up precious precious closet space for a coat that is rarely worn...

 

So you're saying perhaps a warm, wool, particularly black or burgundy coat would be preferable? :P

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

where did burgundy come from? I thought you were debating Black or Navy...either way IMHO black is almost always the best option when going for nice, understated, and refined in regards to coats and jackets.

[PhuturePriest]

where did burgundy come from? I thought you were debating Black or Navy...either way IMHO black is almost always the best option when going for nice, understated, and refined in regards to coats and jackets.

 

Doesn't the Conception dress code dictate only wearing black and burgundy?

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

no. The dress codes quickly stated is dress pants, brown, grey, black, whatever....There are a number of uniform shirts to choose from , light blue or white oxfords, black, light blue, burgundy, yellow polo shirts. Sweaters, ect must be solid colors as are any undershirts (I often wear long sleeve Ts with my polos especially as it's colder. Shoes must be dark (brown or black) sandals must be dark and have heal straps. When serving at the Altar then black shoes and pants are REQUIRED under the cassock. This is the only time the dress code is color specific. Since I'm interested in saving space, and living simply. It's easier to make sure everything I have goes with black, I have grey slacks as well to change it up a bit. Plus by buying quality clothing now, I should be able to last a number of years through formation without having to buy new stuff every year. I find as a rule of thumb buying the best you can afford now is the better option terms of thrift as you don't have to replace it all the time.

[PhuturePriest]

no. The dress codes quickly stated is dress pantaloons, brown, grey, black, whatever....There are a number of uniform shirts to choose from , light blue or white oxfords, black, light blue, burgundy, yellow polo shirts. Sweaters, ect must be solid colors as are any undershirts (I often wear long sleeve Ts with my polos especially as it's colder. Shoes must be dark (brown or black) sandals must be dark and have heal straps. When serving at the Altar then black shoes and pantaloons are REQUIRED under the cassock. This is the only time the dress code is color specific. Since I'm interested in saving space, and living simply. It's easier to make sure everything I have goes with black, I have grey slacks as well to change it up a bit. Plus by buying quality clothing now, I should be able to last a number of years through formation without having to buy new stuff every year. I find as a rule of thumb buying the best you can afford now is the better option terms of thrift as you don't have to replace it all the time.

 

Oh, okay. I just remember my first year visiting a seminarian said his mother had given him a lot of really nice, warm sweaters, but he couldn't wear a lot of them because they weren't specific colors and didn't meet the dress code.

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

yeah...they have to be solid colored. any sweaters that have stripes, tone accents, argyle...can't wear them. It kinda stinks if you aren't expecting it, but if you realize the restriction then you can plan and it's no big deal (for me.)

[PhuturePriest]

yeah...they have to be solid colored. any sweaters that have stripes, tone accents, argyle...can't wear them. It kinda stinks if you aren't expecting it, but if you realize the restriction then you can plan and it's no big deal (for me.)

 

I always liked solids anyway, so that's not an issue for me.

[Anastasia13]

Mindy Kaling says that men should get a well-fitting peacoat from J.Crew.