Color of Overcoat for Conservative Dresser?

[Abraham]

I'm curious about the different colors of overcoats? Here in California we only wear overcoats perhaps 2-4 weeks for the entire year depending on where on lives in the state. The only overcoat I have ever owned is navy, which I have worn with navy, grey, charcoal and black suits.

Someone recently gifted me with a vintage Brooks camel colored overcoat in pristine condition. It's a quality piece. Will camel work with the above suit colors? I need to be very "careful", "conservative" and "non-controversial" about this because I am already going to be wearing one piece of garb that is controversial to some -- a black top hat/John Bull hat of extremely high quality on the coldest days this winter.

After watching the movie "Lincoln" a few times I think I could pull-off wearing a black top hat (NOT shiny silk) in conjunction with a conservative suit and either a "correct" top coat or my khaki (and possibly my black) trench coat. Thanks.

 

[tropicalbob]

Unless you're going to a costume party, I'd be way more concerned about the top hat than about the camelhair, which you could wear with just about any colored suit.

 

[Abraham]

The top hat/John Bull hat decision was based on a great deal of input and reflection. One (and there are certainly more than one) prerequisite to making a top hat work today vs. 1870 is that every other element of garb or accoutrement must be beyond reproach.

I suspect (as just one example) that the great majority who would even attempt to wear a top hat (or a bowler or even a homburg) in a business setting today would also be the type that would tend to over-accessorize which would be one very quick road to looking like a clown.

 

[Big J]

Hi!
I often wear fedoras and homburgs in winter with a suit, because I hate having both my hands full with an umbrella and a briefcase. I usually wear a fedora with a trenchcoat (good enough for Humph, good enough for me), and save the homburg for cold days with an overcoat.

I have an extra tall topper from Christies that I only wear with morning suit, or black tie ensemble (e.g. when my wife and I go to the opera or ballet). I wouldn't wear a top hat in daily life because it always reminds me of the doormen at certain 5 star hotels (*snob mode on* god forbid anyone should confuse me with the help *snob mode off*).

However, in my limited understanding of these things, I would advise against a top hat with a camel coat (and I love camel overcoats- gorgeous color) on the basis that top hats are reserved for the most formal of dress, whereas I understand that camel overcoats were adopted for casual wear at the polo field and such like.

 

[Abraham]

Hi!
I often wear fedoras and homburgs in winter with a suit, because I hate having both my hands full with an umbrella and a briefcase. I usually wear a fedora with a trenchcoat (good enough for Humph, good enough for me), and save the homburg for cold days with an overcoat.

I have an extra tall topper from Christies that I only wear with morning suit, or black tie ensemble (e.g. when my wife and I go to the opera or ballet). I wouldn't wear a top hat in daily life because it always reminds me of the doormen at certain 5 star hotels (*snob mode on* god forbid anyone should confuse me with the help *snob mode off*).

However, in my limited understanding of these things, I would advise against a top hat with a camel coat (and I love camel overcoats- gorgeous color) on the basis that top hats are reserved for the most formal of dress, whereas I understand that camel overcoats were adopted for casual wear at the polo field and such like.

Thanks for your wonderful (and non-judgmental) response. It's interesting -- one of the things that really galvanized my commitment to wearing a topper this winter was the doorman at a five star hotel. Most doormens' uniforms look like costumes. This man's uniform was amazing in quality from 10'. I approached him and asked about the maker of his top hat. I expected him to take it off and look. He immediately said "Christys of London" followed by a knowing smile. I don't see one quite as tall as his on their current website but I'll continue the hunt.

I sorta think my top hat wearing will be limited to a navy or grey/charcoal suit along with my navy overcoat.

 

[Big J]

Thank you for your kind comment.
I bought my taller top hat via an online store called Tails and the Unexpected. I went for the taller version as I hoped that it would be a better look on my big round face.
I love camel coats but am so paranoid about mine getting dirty that I rarely enjoy wearing it.

 

[Abraham]

Thank you for your kind comment.
I bought my taller top hat via an online store called Tails and the Unexpected. I went for the taller version as I hoped that it would be a better look on my big round face.
I love camel coats but am so paranoid about mine getting dirty that I rarely enjoy wearing it.

Thanks for the reference. Very interesting website. I like the crown height of the Christys Polished Taller Topper and the brim of the Olney Edwardian Top Hat. I'm also not sure that I want a topper made from melusine finished fur. While traditional and correct, I think something a little less extreme might be more workable for daily wear. Thanks again.