The Princess and the Peacoat: The Importance of Investing in a Quality Coat

As someone from California, where temperatures barely grazed mid-50s, I never thought much about the durability of a coat. Winter jackets were more fashion statements than anything else. Now, after my own fair share of ornamental jackets that barely last a season here in the Northeast, I can’t help but wonder how many have fallen into the same trap I had: jackets that look so cute, yet work so uncute.

Peacoats have solidified themselves as a fall staple in the coming frigid season. After Lily-Rose Depp went viral for her “trench coat buttoned to the top,” the stylish high-neck coats have been especially chic.

But with the rise of fashionable coats in the face of keeping up with trends, at what point do we as consumers sacrifice quality?

A quick Google search for “peacoat” will pull up wool-blend jackets from brands like ASOS, Anthropologie, Oak+Fort, and J.Crew Factory, all priced between $150 and $200. For many who are familiar with the winter fashion industry, this may seem like an absolute steal. After all, wool coats tend to average around $300 with ceilings of $3,000. Upon closer investigation and clicking on enough “product details” and “composition and care” buttons, I found these miraculous steals to actually just be coats made of more than 60% polyester.

Wool, according to Britannica, is an animal fiber from either sheep, goats, camels, or alpacas, categorized by its resistance to breakage, high breathability, and strong insulation. The hydrophobic surface makes it a common choice for winter staples to brave the sleet, rain, and wind. Meanwhile, polyester has worse insulation, is known to pill, and has less durability — not to mention the environmental effects of production.

Coats are one of the few things my dad emphasized that I invest in when I decided Boston would be the city I would stay for the next four years. $400 is a large sum to spend on a singular article of clothing, I completely agree. But now, coats made of polyester are being priced at more than half of that number — just to last one season. These brands can set these prices in an attempt to pass under the radar as a true wool coat. In reality, these jackets aren’t even half wool.

At the end of the day, I guess I can’t convince you to spend that type of money on anything; after all, we are all broke college students. But a wool coat is a true investment that will last you a lifetime. Trust me, the wind tunnel down Comm Ave. in single-digit temperatures hasn’t even begun to show its face yet—you’ll wish you had that winter coat.

If I still haven’t changed your mind, let me propose one more solution: second-hand stores.

Thrift stores like our very own Comm Ave. Goodwill or consignment stores like Buffalo Exchange and Covet are always carrying winter coats that people have either donated or sold.  They are usually for less than half the price of a brand-new one. While browsing the coat section, make sure to check the labels for the materials and composition to confirm you are getting wool and not a plastic dupe.

After all, what is a princess without her wool peacoat to brave the New England cold?