Advent Calendar | #16 Patrik Ervell - Overcoat

It's very rare that you fall in love with a wool coat. The best ones are usually the dull looking ones, unfortunately, as any experimenting tends to feel very gimmicky. Leave it to one of the most inventive designer's of modern menswear, Patrik Ervell, to make one that is far from gimmicky but still will set you apart from the pack.

Funnily enough, coming from the master of modern, these have the look of something of days of yore. It might be the large pockets or the club collar that might seem better suited on a shirt that does the trick, either way this coat oozes a type of elegance most people, including myself, thought died a long time ago. The buttoning is slightly off-centered, which kind of throws you off at first 'til you get used to it. Though the fit is roomy, it's also, true to Patrik Ervell's aesthetics, perfectly tailored. I prefer the brown version, but it's also available in grey.

Advent Calendar | #9 Dries Van Noten - 'Robbins' Wool Coat

As many options as there are out there when it comes to outerwear, if you wan't to look truly sophisticated and grown up,  there's no way around it, there's only one option: the wool coat. The mother of all outerwear. The classic.

And since it's a classic you should try and keep it that way. That means no crazy experimental details and stick to basic colours like dark grey,navy or black. 

My own personal favorite comes from the noted minimalist Dries Van Noten who definitely has got it nailed down. Small notched lapel, single-breasted, three buttoned. Two jetted pockets, one breast pocket and three internal. A slim silhouette and a single vent in the back. That's all it takes to perfect a classic.

Object | Comme des Garçons SHIRT - Padded Classic Nylon Duffle Coat

The hunt for a fall coat goes on. It's probably one of my favorite parts of fall shopping, to go searching for that perfect jacket to take you through the colder months. It also seems like it's one of the most important pieces to focus on since it's likely to be what people see you in most of the time. You need something that goes great with the rest of your wardrobe, so it has to be versatile, yet it should also be interesting enough to get a few glances on it's own. Here's todays suggestion for that piece.

Comme des Garçons SHIRT's duffle coat is labeled as "classic" but though the duffle coat is probably one of the most classic options for fall, a padded one is far from conventional and so is the choice of nylon. Not that we're complaining. This is what CDG does best; giving a playful twist to the classics, reinventing and adding just the right amount of popping colour. 

The two critical points when it comes to duffle coats (except for the usual ones, fit etc.) is the pockets and the toggles. They make or break the piece. On this one I've got no complaints. The flap pockets are discreet and the black toggles and jute fastening go perfectly with the navy color. The coat is fully lined so it will probably take you through the whole winter, unless you live in Siberia. If the fit is right, this just might be the one for me.

Object | Sabatino - New Colombo Coat

Do you ever look at your closet and realize that you've snowed in on a particular color? That like ninety percent of everything you've bought in the last couple of months is just in different nuances of what is basically the same color?

Well, I took a look at my own wardrobe a couple of months ago and realized that I've been overdosing on grey. Since then I've been trying to steer clear of it and instead been buying black, navy and my new favorite, beige. It's started to get to the point where I've just traded one obsession for another. Fortunately I haven't that many beige garments in my closet yet, so I can keep obsessing for a while longer.

This colombo coat, which comes courtesy of Opening Ceremony, is my latest fix in this color-addiction of mine. It's made by the enigmatic, supposedly japanese brand Sabatino that I first encountered in GQ's 2008 Buyer's Club in the form of a certain shawl-collared cardigan. As I said there's not much info on the brand nor the piece itself so this recommendation is based purely on my own personal impression of it, but as far as looks goes this is pretty rad. The aesthetics is clean and uncluttered, the fit is spacious which is great as it allows for some serious layering, perfect for fall. Detailing include hidden buttoning, button-adjustable sleeves and one vent in the back. Do I even need to mention the fact that I'm crazy about the color?

Object | Stephan Schneider - Coat Resolution

Another great piece of outerwear from Stephan Schneider. This time it's more of a coat/trenchcoat offering and as usual when it comes to mister Schneider, it's a beautiful piece of craftmanship.

Simple and elegant, this is an instant classic that evokes that old school film noir-style. A sleek silhouette, utilitarian flap pockets, hidden buttoning, that crucial belt and button-adjustable sleeves. Humphrey Bogart probably wouldn't have minded wearing this and truth be told, neither would I.

The only twist are the two buttons placed at the left front pocket which provides for an intriguing detail while not compromising the clean look of it. Get it now from Opening Ceremony, who are nice enough to give it to you for half the price at the moment. It's also available in a more greyish color which looks just as great, but you can never go wrong with black.

Object | Martin Margiela - Wool Coat

Now might not be a time when your thinking about wool coats. But come fall that will be just what you'll be wanting. So to help you stay one step ahead of your game, I present you this by none other than Martin Margiela.

Though fashionably slim-cut it might look average, even dull, to you but as always when it comes to Margiela, the devil is in the details. Hidden buttoning, cuffs with false button holes and small lapels on a collar that can be buttoned on especially chilly days all helps in keeping it interesting and makes for a truly stylish piece. Who said that staying fashionable always comes at the expense of function?