Coated in Style

Come winter, and winter is coming, if you don't have a coat in your closet, you are probably a degenerate. If you do have that one coat, generously perfumed with moth balls, then you are dangerously close to becoming a degenerate. So here's the deal; it's still November and you have a whole month to plan. Let's plan then. First, you need to figure out what kind of coat you want and then you move on from there. Remember, men need their coats like the women need their tantrums. If you haven't got it, you aren't going too far. 

Given the climate of Bangladesh, a few kinds of coats can easily be discarded from the get go. Trench coats and Parkas are an absolute no. Men don't feel cold and even if they do, there is no point flaunting your weakness around in furs and thick layers. Take a breather and get a car coat. 

The car coats are the ones that are hip length, with straight colours and usually with one flat or buttoned pocket. It looks like a blazer but it obviously is not one.

It's smart and pairs well with both formal and semi-formal looks and is quite the hit at the office. The car coat though is more about utility, promising mobility and comfort, with a minimalist approach so as not to overdo on the fashion side of things. It is a reliable and time tested. 

However, if you are just embarking on the world of coats (how have you not died out yet?) then start off with the timeless pea coats. Pea coats are basically the navy coats, double breasted, hip length with a wide notch lapel. They are cool and casual and can be paired with even jeans to round off your look dabbling between the office look to the Google office look. Since it is the easiest kind of coat to pull of, make sure you have one ready in your closet.

With wool being the fabric of choice for this garment, even your warmth is assured. While years ago the choice in colours for pea coats was maybe one or two at best, nowadays you can get anything from lime green to bright pink with everything in between. But first practice solidity before going for flamboyance. 

The third kind of coat that you must have in your closet is the Mujib coat, aka, the Black coat. Steeped in history and portrayed as the beacon of all things good in Bangladesh, the Mujib coat is not just a style statement. It is rather a statement of intent where you let the nationalism envelope you in one stylish swift movement. However, be careful of how you go around with the Mujib coat. Some people do not even consider themselves good enough for it and these pesky nationalists will not miss an opportunity to tell you why you aren't good for it either. But turn a deaf ear. A Mujib coat rounds up a Panjabi like nothing else and no other vest comes close. Don't let politics be the reason for compromising your swagger. 

And there you have it, the three basic coats you should start collecting and displaying come winter. Sure hoodies, windbreakers and jackets are cool but cool doesn't trump classy. New Market and Bongo Bazaar are great places to start but if you want to truly look royal, get your coats custom made. Bespoke is your best hope!

Photo: Shahriar Kabir Heemel
Model: Zayed 
Wardrobe: Cats Eye
Photoshoot Coordinator: Tabassum Anila Hridi