…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.

Any smart coat is fine, but Joe Browns do some lovely smart coats that aren't that expensive but are beautifully cut.

www.joebrowns.co.uk/womens-clothing/womens-coats-jackets/black

@DogCatRabbit

A black coat is useful but you can buy something for less than £50 in a supermarket and if you don't wear it very often it will keep looking smart for a long time.

This is my thinking, but I suppose we all have different budgets in life.

I have a funeral coat but it’s just from Primark. Don’t see really why there’s a need to spend a large amount of money

Agree that Joe Browns do beautfiully cut womens coats. Not the cheapest but if you are hourglass then they are definitely the best cut.

I bought a black 3/4 coat for my dad's funeral from M & S, cost around £100, wore it with a knee length patterned tunic/dress with black leggings & purple knee length suede boots, I had a black handbag & pink/purple scarf.

@mellicauli

You really can't think of anything better to spend your money on than a funeral coat? Money is just wasted on some people..

I can think of plenty of things that I would rather spend my money on, which is why I was asking for advice. I wouldn’t say the money is wasted on me, I don’t have children, or debt and I save carefully each month for things I might need. I can afford to spend it, but I also still consider it a large amount to spend on something for occasional wear.

On this occasion, I think it’s important to be appropriately dressed. It’s helpful to hear from others what they think ‘is appropriate’. I haven’t been to many funerals and the ones that you see in the media always show people dressed very formally, all in black. I’m happy to wear high street brands, but I feel in my mid thirties it might be time to invest in something really well made that will last. I have bought many cheaper coats that haven’t lasted and I think it’s more wasteful to spend £50-100 every year, that will then end up in landfill than it is to spend £200-300 that will last much longer.

I hadn’t thought about size fluctuation, I’m happy with my size so don’t intend to put on/lose weight, but I suppose I never know what could happen to me in the future so that’s worth considering. I don’t stress about latest fashions, but I also don’t want to look dated, so I can see why something I buy now might not be suitable for me further into the future.

I’ve had some good suggestions, including trying charity shops first. I’m not opposed to buying a cheaper coat if it looks like it is well cut and will last. I’ve had lots of helpful suggestions of shops to try.

I won’t just wear the coat to funerals, but I do think I would keep it as a ‘for best’ kind of coat, rather than just wearing it out by wearing it daily to work. I have a winter wedding to attend and unfortunately two other close relatives are receiving palliative care. I feel a bit rushed about making sure I choose the ‘right’ thing to wear to this event, so I can see that it is probably a sensible thing to keep in the wardrobe.