Need Frock Coats and/or Dusters

[Franklin Wrayburn]

I have been searching all over the net for Frock Coats and Dusters, but the only ones I've found are either way too expensive for someone of my financial standings, or just not what I'm looking for. I'll be heading to various pawn shops and such soon to look for a pocket watch or two, so maybe I'll be able to find something. So far, however, the only coats I've been able to find that are within my price range are these two dusters:

http://www.1880westernwear.com/product_info.php/cPath/103/products_id/474
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/store/001561.php

I'm really not all that fond of the second one, but if I leave it unbuttoned with another shirt underneath, it should be fine, especially with the engineer/inventor theme I'm going for.

Anywho, if anyone knows where I can get decent coats for around $50 or $60, I would much appreciate it.

Links to appropriate(ly cheap) shoes or boots would also be appreciated.

[Yvarg]

You may want to try some army surplus stores if you haven't already. Sometimes their coats are priced reasonably (and sometimes they're outrageously expensive . . .). For the shoes, if you have one in the area check out a Burlington Coat Factory outlet store. I get pretty much all my shoes there and I have found some late 1800's/early 1900's -esque dress shoes for very nice prices.

[Franklin Wrayburn]

Many thanks Yvarg. I'll be sure to check out the surplus stores around me. I had almost forgotten about them. I'm not sure where any Burlingtons are, but perhaps there will be one at the mall.

[Silly Sully Sullivan]

as Yvarg mentioned, surplus stores are probably your best bet for inexpensive coats...though thrift stores occasionally have some nice coats that would not be limited to a military look.

[Vienna Fahrmann]

     Dear Mr. Wrayburn,

      I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but you might also try tuxedo rental shops to see if they ever sell off some of their older coats.

     Vienna

[La Bricoleuse]

Not sure of your height/build or potential distaste for the idea, but you might also consider looking in low-end ladies clothing stores--frock and duster coat styles are fairly unisex these days, and women's clothing can often be found in a much lower price-point than men's clothing, because the fashion industry pushes women to replace their wardrobes seasonally a lot harder it does than men. Granted, the cheaper stuff is a get-what-you-pay-for situation (cheaper materials, lower quality construction methods, etc), but if you can't find something second-hand or prefer new to used, it'd be worth a look.

And re Burlington Coat Factory: http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/
Shop online or use the storefinder.

[Maximum Humphries]

if you like old ww1 great coats, i've got two and i got them both cheap, one for a tenner in an antiques shop, one for three quid on e-bay.
for instance, here's a nice one i spotted for 99p.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WWII-Officers-Khaki-Great-Coat-Ref-WXU_W0QQitemZ110180200905QQihZ001QQcategoryZ4729QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[cybele13]

as Yvarg mentioned, surplus stores are probably your best bet for inexpensive coats...though thrift stores occasionally have some nice coats that would not be limited to a military look.

And the beautiful thing is that Dritt dye is your friend if you happen to run across something in a distasteful color. You can always turn it black. The directions are easy to follow and I'm sure almost anyone here has dyed some article of clothing or other at some point and so can offer advice.