Classic Tweed Herringbone Sport Coat - help!!

April 5, 2008 2:51 PM

I am trying to find a classic men's herringbone tweed sport coat. I left mine (had it for 12 years) on a plane while in a hurry to make an appointment. I felt like I had lost a friend. I haven't been able to find one just like it, which is surprising as it was just your basic tweed "professor-style" sport coat. The ones I have found all seem to be loaded with the color flecks that looks so different from my classic style coat. The closest example I can find to show you is this picture - but I don't need an XL from Casual Male XL. Does any one have any ideas? I don't want to trust an Internet buy as it is one of those things I need to feel, try on, etc. So - I'm thinking retail. As always, thanks in advance for any help.
posted by Gerard Sorme to clothing, beauty, & fashion (14 comments total)

Location would be helpful for retail - here in New Haven we have the super-old-fashioned J. Press, which has some of their selection online.
posted by cobaltnine at 3:00 PM on April 5, 2008

Orvis.
posted by dersins at 3:01 PM on April 5, 2008

Have you considered getting one at a thrift store and having it dry cleaned? Salvation Army typically has a boatload of coats like this that are perfectly good. Might be able to find one twelve years old.
posted by Eringatang at 3:03 PM on April 5, 2008

Jos A Bank has 13 herringbone sportcoats on their website, and stores scattered around.

I usually just buy from the website. If you don't like it they'll take it back.
posted by ikkyu2 at 3:23 PM on April 5, 2008

I would just go to a Marshall's or a Filene's basement to look for a Harris Tweed jacket but not having any idea where you are, can't really help you much with retail suggestions. :-)
posted by thomas144 at 3:25 PM on April 5, 2008

Mens Wearhouse has a number of locations nationwide and has a number of tweed sportcoats in stock in addition to this one on their website.
posted by TedW at 3:43 PM on April 5, 2008

Seconding ikkyu2's Jos. Bank recommendation. I just got a classic greyscale (?) herringbone from them at Christmas. It's a Harris Tweed, too.

Plus, I think they have a sale on jackets right now.
posted by thecaddy at 4:12 PM on April 5, 2008

Mens Wearhouse and Jos. Bank are not going to have the quality you're probably looking for--heavy real Scottish tweed that lasts forever. If you're lucky you might be able to find something in a thrift store. As far as the stores mentioned so far, I'd say J. Press would be the best bet--the classic preppy Northeastern shop. I would have said Brooks Brothers once upon a time, but they have lately become determined to get rid of their best qualities. They won't even turn your shirt collars for you anymore!
posted by lackutrol at 5:01 PM on April 5, 2008 [1 favorite]

Thrift, especially if you're in a 'tweedy' area: Hartford, CT, with its history with the insurance business, proved a motherlode for me, and anywhere in that kind of area is likely to be good.

(Or, if you're nearish to NE Alabama, the Unclaimed Baggage Center, which is likely where your jacket ended up.)
posted by holgate at 5:10 PM on April 5, 2008

lacutrol - I didn't see anything about world-class quality.

There have been very good tweeds at J. Crew lately, if you are lucky you'll get one on deep discount. Jos. A. Bank has some higher-end lines with good quality. I would avoid the Men's Wearhouse, though.

And yeah, if you're any kind of thrifter at all, you'll find one pretty easily -- their classic style and durability mean they're sort of a quintissential thrift store purchase.
posted by YoungAmerican at 5:41 PM on April 5, 2008

If you can't find one any other way, you might consider going to a tailor and having one made.
posted by orange swan at 6:09 PM on April 5, 2008

Thanks everyone for the possibilities. I hadn't thought of Jos A Bank and sure enough, they have the Harris Tweed sport coats - and on sale! Thanks all.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 6:39 PM on April 5, 2008

Unb0rking my link: Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, AL.
posted by holgate at 1:04 AM on April 6, 2008

I don't know if this will help, but I thought of Brooks Brothers
posted by bolognius maximus at 7:00 AM on April 6, 2008