“ Hello team, I'm actively looking for a good coat, because it's starting to get cold anyway, but I don't have a huge budget. What do I do friends? »
As a community manager , I've seen and answered a lot of questions like this over the past few weeks. So much so that I thought it was worth writing an article about it.
We heard you!
Because a good coat is important, but respecting your budget to be able to buy Auntie Jacqueline's Christmas gifts too, let's see together where the best compromise lies with our selection of coats for less than €200!
Note from Benoit on entry-level coats
David will tell you in detail what to expect, but to put it simply, I strongly advise against purchasing a coat between €0 and €200.
Of course, not everyone has the budget to spend €400 on a coat, I understand that perfectly, and myself, being a student, I would never have been able to buy a coat for more than €200.
You just have to keep in mind that it's really a "for lack of anything better" solution, because not only will the materials not be great (at worst, unpleasant, and at best, bland), the cuts very ordinary (at best), but you can be sure that the number 1 compromise is that on ethics and place of manufacture.
It is therefore a purchase to be made with full knowledge of the facts.
In short, here is my position on coats for less than €200: we do not recommend it, but if you cannot do otherwise, here is what we recommend.
Personally, I would advise you to save a little bit to move into the €300-400 bracket or... to turn to second-hand items, like the classified ads on our forum, Vinted, or Grailed for the most sharp among you.
A quick reminder: what can we expect at this price range?
Benoît having already spoken about what to expect from entry-level ready-to-wear in general , I would like to specifically address the case of entry-level coats.
I am often asked “ is this coat warm enough for winter?” » and my answer is always “ it depends ”: on your level of coldness, the climatic conditions where you live, your exposure to the cold on a daily basis (rather short, prolonged) and... the clothes you wear with this coat.
If you wear a very warm coat with very light underlayers and no scarf... you risk being cold!
With this in mind, what are the concessions to be made in this price range?
- Rather fine wool sheets . The composition is not everything: a thick coat with 15 or 20% polyamide will logically be warmer than a very thin coat in 100% wool. But overall, below €200, we will be in the presence of moderately warm coats. The other problem is that the materials used in this price range don't have much to say: everything is often "flat" and dull.
- Synthetic, mainly polyester or polyamide. These materials help reduce costs but also protect less well from the cold, and offer less good thermoregulation indoors (public transport, car, etc.). Basically, this will encourage sweating at the slightest heatstroke, and you will get cold too easily.
- Rather classic styles . With very rare exceptions, you will not find a coat with a very original and successful style, with great material and a very low price. The cut will be really ordinary, not particularly highlighting your figure.
- An ethical compromise : production in Asia under unknown conditions, traceability of opaque materials , etc. This is probably the biggest problem in this price range.
our selection
Uniqlo overcoat, 90% wool / 10% cashmere, €149.90
Color!
Why this brand?
At the entry level, Uniqlo offers a wardrobe with excellent value for money. The brand offers an overcoat with 0% synthetic material, and even 10% cashmere. All under 200€! On the other hand, it's a shame that their duffle coat this year is made of 70% polyester (which we clearly advise against).
Our opinion
Probably our best recommendation for someone wanting an overcoat. We will obviously avoid black (why? answer here and here ) and we will instead go for anthracite gray, navy blue or the camel model for those of you who want a little color :)
Having had the opportunity to try it, this coat runs rather large , as is often the case with the brand: between two sizes, go for the smaller size. It is also rather long (this can be seen in the photos of the coat worn): an alteration may need to be considered for people under 1m75 or 1m80.
Note from Benoit: Uniqlo cuts are not known for being the most flattering. If you're looking for a fitted, structured piece, you may be disappointed.
COS overcoat , 75% wool / 20% polyamide / 5% cashmere, €195
A pretty gray herringbone
Why this brand?
Belonging to H&M (with the ethical limits that we know), COS nevertheless offers sober and refined pieces in a Scandinavian spirit at an affordable price, like here on this coat. In general, we will remain vigilant on certain compositions where the synthetic is a little too invasive.
Our opinion
Also available in dark gray, navy blue or camel, we will remember the gray chevron version , standing out from the crowd. It is a good alternative to the Uniqlo overcoat, the 20% polyamide being largely offset by the 75% wool and 5% cashmere.
Note also the hidden groove for a more minimalist look.
Other coats at COS
The overcoat above was selected for its price below €200, but I also wanted to draw your attention to two other coats offered by the brand this season at €225 :
1/ A straight peacoat with a hidden throat, with wide lapels and a bold taupe color. 80% wool, 20% polyamide.
A winning style bet!
2/ A parka that I have owned for 3 years and that I wear on the cover of this article. 70% wool, 25% polyamide, 5% cashmere.
In addition to the outer material, it also has a light polyester padding (nothing fantastic, but it's better than nothing) and a rather comfortable, " cozy " cotton lining. This coat is versatile since it works in casual chic, workwear, or even formal looks: with a suit, it will be less elegant than an overcoat, but it works.
It might not seem like it, but it’s a real Swiss army knife coat!
Bexley overcoat , 70% wool / 25% polyamide / 5% cashmere, €199
When worn, we did not close the bottom button, obviously 😉
Why this brand?
As much as the quality of shoes has (unfortunately) declined quite a bit in recent years ( we'll let you judge for yourself ...), the diversification of the range has brought decent pieces, like the classic 100% wool Vitale Barberis suit Canonico at €199, or the coat selected above.
Our opinion
Here is a rather classic overcoat available in navy blue and camel.
Unlike the Uniqlo and COS overcoats, this one will be more suited to formal outfits, particularly due to the rather formal details at the front such as the chest pocket, the two piped pockets or the pleats.
Note from Benoit: here we have the example of a very (too) basic garment, without much craziness in its design, characteristic of what can be found in this price range.
Monoprix Pea Coat , 68% Wool / 29% Polyester / 2% Polyamide / 1% Acrylic, €129.99
A very accessible peacoat.
Why this brand?
Despite somewhat declining quality in recent years, if you search a little, you can still find some decent products at Monoprix.
Our opinion
This very classic pea coat has been part of the Monoprix fall/winter collection for several years, and we can say that this model “does the job” for a very low price.
No yokes or superfluous details here: this coat goes to the essentials, and we won't complain.
Even if 32% synthetic materials is starting to be a lot, let's not forget that this is the least expensive coat in this selection. Monoprix also has the advantage of being very well established in France: I discovered this peacoat while I was still living in Angers and I did not have physical access to very nice brands.
Note from Benoit: be careful, like Uniqlo, Monoprix fits aren't crazy...
TM Lewin double-breasted overcoat , 100% wool, £199 ≈ €225
Cross and burgundy: we say yes!
Why this brand?
If TM Lewin is a brand known for these accessible shirts ( a model of which we tested here in fact ), we also find interesting things in the rest of their collection, in pretty materials.
Despite the fall of the British pound, £199 is still not below €200. I had originally pre-selected the brand, then withdrawn it, but Nicolò used all his power of persuasion and campaigned very hard for a coat from the brand to appear in this selection:
A furious debate precedes the writing of this article
Our opinion
As indicated by a reader, the two comments for this coat are rather negative and point out in particular defects in the finishes.
I selected this coat because it is double-breasted and burgundy : an original and rather successful stylistic choice. The other coats offered by the brand, also in 100% wool, are just as worth it.
As for this specific model, combine it with shades of gray, white, blue or even a bit of beige or green, and everything will go well :)
Bruce Field pea coat , 70% wool, 20% polyamide, 10% cashmere, €200.
Too bad there isn't much stock left.
Why this brand?
Although some pieces in the collection are a little austere, Bruce Field has a classic wardrobe (Vitale Barberis Canonico wool suits for example) offered at competitive prices. Besides, don’t hesitate to take a look at the outlet 😉
Our opinion
This classic navy blue pea coat should have appeared higher in the selection, but at the time of writing these lines (November 30, 2018 to be exact), stocks on the brand's e-shop are very limited: 1 piece in size 48, 6 in 50, 1 in 52. I don't want to delete it because it could still benefit some people, so I'm putting it here.
Slowly, there you go.
Note from Michel: what about down jackets?
Although abundant and varied in this price range, the down jacket offering mainly concentrates pieces filled with entry-level synthetic insulation , and more rarely, down.
To find out what type of filling to choose for your outerwear as a general rule , head to the Uniqlo solution : with a water-repellent nylon padded with a majority of down flakes for around €150, it's difficult to find better among pieces with synthetic padding who often only have imprecise marketing arguments like “warmth and breathability guaranteed by our engineer in fine words” to stand out.
This down jacket will keep you warm... that's something!
Style-wise, the down jacket still remains less interesting than its overcoat, pea coat or parka counterparts. It's not easy to achieve a successful look with shiny polyester beads stacked along the body. To remedy this, the Uniqlo U collection offers this jacket with well-designed workwear influences . If like me it touches your heart, try to leave me one in size M, please.
If you live in the city and you're not cold, you can also combine your courage with a little layering and this fine down jacket from COS, which offers a majority of flakes for less than €140.
And who knows, if you have been very good this year for the arrival of Santa Claus and you can afford to move upmarket, perhaps a selection of down jackets and parkas will soon appear .
The final word
Yes, you can find interesting coats for €200. And no, you no longer have any excuses to buy this coat with 50% polyester (or more).
Despite everything, keep in mind that the coat is not everything in an outfit either. It is not THE ultimate guarantee for spending the winter with your hands in your pockets. Think about underlays, to protect your hands, your neck.
As such, we quickly find ourselves for another selection of low-budget pieces.
Until then, and because this list is not intended to be exhaustive, if you think you have found a nugget that we may have forgotten, share it with us in the comments , and we will add the best ones in the article.
