…To buy a ‘funeral coat’?

[Goatinthegarden]

Maybe this is a bit of a bizarre question, but I have a funeral to attend shortly. Previous funerals I have been to have either been in warmer months, or we have been requested not to wear black.

I’m attending a funeral next week and think I should wear all black. I have appropriate shoes and dress bought for a previous funeral, but I don’t own a black coat. All of the very smart black coats I am finding online are about £200-300, (which is a bit more than I would usually pay for a coat), but I’m wondering if it would be sensible to buy a very smart, very timeless coat to keep in the wardrobe for the next twenty odd years just for funerals. Or have I just taken total leave of my senses?

There doesn’t seem to be as much choice as I would have expected either, do people not bother with traditional funeral attire anymore?

YANBU every adult should keep formal funeral attire in their wardrobes.

YABU what a weird, morbid thing to do, just wear something else or buy something cheaper, no one will mind.

No I don’t wear all black to funerals and I’d wear any smart coat, I wore a teal coat to the last two winter funerals.

If your weight doesn't fluctuate then yes it's like a lbd always good to have!

Even the elderly church ladies at the funeral I was at today did not wear black coats.

I wouldn't get a black coat unless I could use it for other purposes. Eg a reasonably smart raincoat.

I personally think ahy coat is fine for a funeral but if you can afford it and want one then go for it

Any coat

My DM has a funeral coat. She's had it for over 20 years.

She also has a funeral dress.

I have neither, but have plenty of smart clothes that I could wear.

I have a dark charcoal smart coat which I didn't buy specifically for funerals but it's the only time I have worn it in the last 5 years. I have a black jacket which, again was never bought with funerals in mind, but is the only time I wear it now.

I would see a black coat as a good investment in general, not just for funerals!

I would go for a dark grey. Still appropriate but more use on other occasions

I spent a few hundred on a black coat as you describe 12 years ago but it was for my mum’s funeral, and I’ve worn it a good few times since, to some funerals and some just really cold days. Just wear it

Or you could just get a cheaper funeral coat? Millions of smart looking cheap black coats online such as h&m, new look etc

Does this solution work for you? If so, go for it.

If you want to, and can afford it, then I don't see why not. I'm sure there are other occasions when a smart black coat would be appropriate too.

I have a couple of smart wool navy and blue coats. I use these for funerals etc. I am in Ireland though and our funerals tend to be slightly less funeral than any funeral I experienced in the UK.

I did borrow a black coat for my grandparents funerals (grandad died the day after grandmas funeral so 2 close together) as my best coat was a light yellow. I know a yellow coat sounds awful but it was lovely honestly. I thought it was a bit much for a funeral although in reality my grandparents wouldn’t have cared and just wanted me to be warm.

Yanbu. I hate wearing dark coloured coats. Winter needs colour for everyday wear!

For a funeral You could get black, navy or charcoal just as appropriately.

I would be tempted to borrow if possible, and then buy a funeral coat in the sales.

Any coat would do.

Next had nice black coats last week when I was in didn't cost anywhere near £200/300.

I'm sorry for your loss.

It's your money, your wardrobe. Spend your money and update your wardrobe as you wish. For what it's worth, my everyday coat is s black, thigh length, double breasted overcoat which suits my Gothic image. It came from the clothing section of a supermarket. Though I can't remember which one - it might have been Florence and Fred at Tesco. It certainly won't have cost £200, I know that much.

If you'd like a smart black overcoat but don't want to spend too much, think about giving supermarket clothing sections a look.

Any dark coat will be fine. You can buy fairly cheap wool look black coats though for Less than £50

I wouldn’t pay that much for a coat just for a funeral. If you are going to wear it lots for other occasions too, fine, but otherwise? No.

Ooh! If you don't mind second hand, give private sellers on Ebay and charity shops a look.

If there's time, obviously.

I have funeral shoes
I'm in NI were we take funerals v seriously but I've noticed even here people are moving away from dark colours, as long as you look neat and tidy its acceptable.
I wore navy and blue with a navy coat to my Dads funeral a couple of weeks ago but I already had the navy coat.

I have a funeral coat. I bought it not long before lockdown started and, luckily, have only worn it once. It's from Hobbs and cost £350 but I will never need another.

I could also wear it with jeans and boots if I really feel I'm not getting the use of it

If you are only going to wear it a few times a year then buy a cheap one.

And it’s not true that styles don’t date - they do. It’s almost imperceptible but somehow they just look wrong after 20 years.