Q I am a man in need. I am 30 years old and have never bought a grown-up coat. I don't want to add another parka to my collection and I need something heavy, not something I can just lob on over a hoodie. My girlfriend thinks that I have Peter Pan syndrome. Sean, Co Dublin
A Your girlfriend might be right. Go ask her to buy you a coat. Let her mould you in her craven image. Then, when she has finally changed you fundamentally as a person, dump her. That'll show her for wanting you to look smart and insulated. The utter wagon, threatening your masculinity.
Your description of a grown-up coat is delightfully vague, so here is a primer. The grown-up coat has buttons. Maybe it has a discreet zip. A grown-up coat is made of wool or a heavy synthetic equivalent, but it should probably be made of wool. It is in a sombre colour. It does not ordinarily have a hood.
A grown-up coat is unexciting, because we probably feel that being a grown-up is unexciting. Thankfully, a grown-up coat is reliable. It lasts. It is warm and comforting. It is protective. It is probably not cheap.
A grown-up coat is an investment, and is worth saving for. Cos has an excellent selection of mid-price coats that look more expensive than they are. French label The Kooples does mannish coats with a bad-boy edge, if that takes your fancy. And there's nothing that says "I am a serious adult" quite like brown. We can even forgive the hood on this Next coat.
(L-R) Hooded mac, €92, from Next. Navy wool coat, €190, from Cos. The Kooples wool coat with faux sheepskin collar, €445.
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