Product Review:The Tommy Hilfiger Trench

Perfect timing, Tommy Hilfiger. My  gorgeous vintage and thrifted winter coat was on its last legs, and my search for its successor hadn't been found. Qualities I was on the hunt for, in a replacement Fall/Winter coat were the following:

• Well made
• Classic yet quirky
• Flattering and well fitting
• Modest and winter ready
• Under $150

I wanted a coat classic, a little on the dark side, and yet funky. Would a contemporary coat be able to fill my outerwear needs? Oh yeah, did I mention needing the budget friendly part? As in the past, there are a couple of department stores that I go to, when I need something that I can't source from a thrift store. Macy's is one of those places.

When I saw this gorgeous trenchcoat in a beautiful Black Watch tartan, I knew I  had struck the plaid pay-dirt. Originally priced at $198.00, this wool-blend coat is currently marked down to $49.62.  It's a wool-blend, fully lined traditionally styled winter ready jacket, with plenty of details to keep my interest. In fact, the details impressed me quite a bit-

• Notched lapel
• Double-breasted button closure
• Long sleeves with button tabs
• Storm flap at chest
• Belt loops with belt
• Fully Lined
• Heavyweight

Black Watch Me Now: Bella is Sporting a Contemporary, Brand New Wool-Blend Coat

The coat is well constructed, and the added details of brass grommets, button tabs, the signature striped piping on the lining, and the fit really wowed me. The fit, for some reason is generous without being too big. The belt, stylishly over-long, so when cinched, it makes my waist appear slimmer. Yeah, WOW. 

Every time I've left the house wearing this coat, I'd received a compliment, in fact many compliments. At the coffee shop. At the 7-11. At the Goodwill. On the street. "Well now, don't you look adorable," was volunteered at me in passing, by the lovely walker of a Welsh Corgi.  I was told at the Goodwill checkout that I "looked very nice today, by the way." And while part of the credit, according to the cashier, went to my "radiant smile and positive attitude" there's a part of me that KNOWS the notice was triggered by my smart looking Tommy Hilfiger wool-blend plaid coat. 

On the Look-out: Black Watch Plaid Tartan in a Classic Style + Edgy Details by Tommy Hilfiger

Plus: Great length. Not too long, not too short. It covers the bum, but is short enough to feel flirty. The length works just as well with dresses as it does with pants. 

Plus: Great construction. The coat is very well made- and could possibly last for years. 

Plus: Fantastic cut. Fashionable yet traditional, which is my favorite kind of styling. 

Non-plus: The so-so fabric quality. The wool-poly blend feels just ok to me; after all, I've been sporting vintage 2-ply cashmere, 40s era wool gabardines (wears like iron,) satiny silks, whisper-soft wools and furs for a while now.  This gal is spoiled by her secondhand sourced high quality. The wool-blend left me a little nonplussed, and the lining feels, well, a bit  chintzy. I much prefer the vintage value of a thick silk satin, a crepe de chine, and so forth, culled from a lifetime of Goodwill escapades. 

The verdict? For a new coat in my budget range, this Tommy Hilfiger find was a good deal. Even at the cough-cough full price, I would've felt like I got my modern money's worth. The jacket fit the bill; I'm very happy with its fit, and will most likely wear it, hopefully for many more Falls and Winters. 

Will it keep me from "shopping secondhand first"? Nope. Not on your life. But it's good to know when I need a specific something right quick, I can count on Macy's to offer me a contemporary yet affordable alternative. 

Disclosure: I received this product courtesy of GigaSavvy for the purpose of this review.