i have the BEST winter coat ever
(sorry - no pics)
It's a medium-heavy weight pure wool almost ankle length coat
with fabulous princess cut fit
dark grey
with the most perfect hoody - withstands all things wet - and has a lovely ring of fur... when i'm not wearing the hoody up, it falls around my neck like a lovely collar.
The coat skims the silhouette perfectly.
i got it December 2001 and i wear it 5 months every year - through everything - and it's getting a little threadbare - even so, i do not go one day without someone complimenting me on my coat.
Surprise surprise: it was $300 CAD at Fairweather (they have something similar now, but it's crap compared to the coat i have). To me it's worth about $600 it's that good.
It's made in Russia - and damn!!! Russians know their winter stuff - it's bloody excellent! If i can find a store that sells Russian winter coats, i think i'd get one.
i've looked high and low for another coat like mine, b/c i've worn it so much and abused it so much to me it's looking not so great (but i still get complimented). i'm seriously considering going to a tailor and having them copy the coat exactly for next winter - the lines and hoody and cut and fit and quality are absolute perfection.
btw: apparently Austrian boiled-wool coats are marvellous - excellent for winter and will last for eons b/c the boiled-wool with withstand the elements and wear and tear.