High Quality Wool Coat: 5 Things to Consider

Given how much fun I had putting together the Trench Coat Guide, I decided to make one just for wool coats! It is a classic, cornerstone piece of my wardrobe and one of the pricier items in my closet. Two years ago, I did a bit of research before making the investment in a high quality wool coat. So if you are in the same boat, I hope this guide has some good insights! For fun, you will see how I wore it through the years 🙂

I broke this post down into 5 components to search for in a high quality wool coat. If you can find all of these in a piece under $300, then I’d say you’ve scored a pretty good deal!

*This post contains affiliate links, which may result in a commission if you make a purchase, though at no additional cost to you.

First coat is exact match – Linked HERE as well. 2022 version comes in a light grey plaid.

Five Things to Consider When Buying a High-Quality Wool Coat

#1 – Percentage of Wool/Cashmere Content

It sounds kind of obvious, but my general rule of thumb before buying an expensive clothing piece is to always check the label. Why? Because I like to know if the price is justified by the fabric quality. When you do, you will notice that the more expensive coats normally have higher wool (and other animal fiber) content. If the material contains cashmere, it will come at an even higher premium.

Other fibers you may encounter are angora, mohair, and alpaca. The difference between these is which animal (and even geographic region) these fibers were sourced from. However, I understand you may have ethical concerns with animal fibers, so would encourage you to do your own research before purchasing.

Why is it better to have more wool in your coat?

One of my favorite questions 🙂 I’ll be considerate and not go down a rabbit hole, though on the topic of animals, it is a precious fiber taken from sheep and goats. Wool is a natural fiber similar in composition to hair. However, it also has a natural crimp that allows it to create tiny pockets to trap air for amazing insulation and warmth!

On the flip side, wool sucks in odors like no other. Yet another reason you wouldn’t want to wear your fancy wool coat to a Korean Barbecue (please don’t). It will trap odors, and take a long time to get out.

Another great property is that wool is water-resistant. The fiber has a waxy coating (lanolin) on the surface that makes it hard for water to penetrate.

#2: Single-Breasted or Double-Breasted Coat

You may have seen this term in stores before, and are curious what it means. Single-breasted just means there is less overlap between the left and right panels of your coat after you button it up. Overall, the difference between a single and double-breasted coat is really aesthetic. Generally though, double-breasted coats are more expensive because they require more fabric to construct.

It’s really your choice here, though the one I am wearing is double-breasted (as an example).

#3: Single or Double Cloth Fabric

Unless you peel the fabric apart, it will be hard to tell if a coat uses double cloth fabric or not. However, here are some giveaways:

• It feels thick, and heavyweight.
• The front looks and feels identical to the back of the fabric.

Moody Fabrics actually shares a good depiction here.

Single cloth fabrics are woven and uni-layer, whereas double cloth fabrics use invisible stitching or fusing to combine to pieces together. In some cases, the materials are so luxurious, you do not even need a lining! So if you are going to invest in a high quality wool coat, I suggest touching and trying one on in stores. You can’t get this experience shopping online.

#4: Lining Fabric

Regardless of whether your wool coat is a single or double-cloth construction, most still have a lining. This fabric is an important interface to reduce friction, and conceal some of the stitching in your coat. It is also the material I often overlook, though it is still important.

The lining of the fabric touches your skin the most closely, and can wear out quickly if it is poor quality. Some cheaper coats won’t have a lining at all. Look for polyester since it is a hardy fiber. (It’s also one of the most common lining materials)

Shop With Me: Sharing my grey faves for the season. Depending on the price point you’re looking for, I gathered a few more options that are similar in color and style on sale this winter. All products are directly shoppable from the image.

#5: Fabric Drape

Finally, there is drape…which is a point I also shared in my Trench Coat Guide. You can still find a high quality wool coat that has a lot of drape. However, this fluid look is normally achieved in blended fabrics that have higher viscose, polyester, and maybe even nylon content (i.e. less wool). It’s an important point you may want to think about before buying an expensive coat.

For the classic structured look, you will want to find a double cloth (or heavyweight) shell fabric as I shared above.

To close, I am sharing a diagram on all the parts I love about my coat. Let me know if you find a good one this winter!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and please leave a comment below if you found any of these tips relevant in your shopping. Other posts you may be interested in: ‘Quince Cashmere: Honest Review on the Latest Minimalist Brand.’