Nice! Here's hoping it comes in good condition without any major flaws

Great advice. The trendy and cheap wool coat that was my first college coat buy was perfectly dreadful.

SF: I think you mentioned awhile back that your son is sensitive to scratchiness. . .Also, if he is inclined to buy a classic navy or black overcoat, make sure it isn't a lint magnet. Even if he doesn't have a pet now, he may later have a roommate with a pet. Or accidentally drop the coat on a dusty floor.

I don't live in overcoat country, but man, I'm a sucker for those navy overcoats on men. No wonder your son wants one.

Thanks Cat2! I’m so excited about all the decision-making he’s taking on at this stage. My advice has to be “how to make this decision” vs “do this” or “buy this brand”. Your old coat sounds like the one for $10 he considered at H&M.

Thanks Z! My fingers are crossed too. “EUC” but we’ll how it really is.

Donna, black is such a good color for him! He might find a lint roller in his stocking this year. Thanks for the idea.

I've got a 9th grade boy and I wouldn't dream of doing anything but thrifting at this age! Not only because of changing taste, but all the growing! We got a nice pair of dress shoes (thankfully only from Target) that he never even got to wear one time before he grew out of them. He mentioned that he wanted Birkenstocks recently, and I was like, great, just stop growing first...

Ha! The mean mom paying for him plus two more kids. Always in practical/thrifty mode.

Lesley, I heard that! At your son’s age he wasn’t even as tall as me. Now, at 20, he’s 6’3”. We figure he’s about done growing, just needs to make sure the coat is slightly on the roomy side. But if it seriously is in EUC, then $30 is nothing.

Oh, ha, he's an adult! I think I misread your post and thought he was an 8th grader.

I see what you mean—I got my coat in 8th grade, around the age when girls quit growing, but he’s older now.

Oh, he's gorgeous. Fun guy, ha.

Thanks!
The shirt is a reference to this moment, but I think he is a fun guy. I bet Kawhi Leonard is too. https://youtu.be/L9kcprnUozs

My handsome young man has received the Ralph Lauren coat he ordered from poshmark. He feels like it’s too big through the body, but the shoulders fit well and is wondering if it can be altered. I’m not sure if it actually is too big, or it’s just an A-line cut, need help deciding what to say. Is “A-line” a term for men’s clothes?

Gosh he’s a handsome young man. FWIW I think the coat looks great on him.

It looks to me like it fits well. Maybe he just isn't used to that style? He'll want to make sure it's loose enough for a suit to be worn under it.

It does look like a good fit. The shoulders are sloping, which may be his natural shape. It's likely made to fit over a suit jacket, so he may want to try it with one to see if that changes the appearance or feel.

Carol, I think so

Robin and Ginger, I don’t believe he has ever owned a suit! We’ve talked about getting one, but so far, he doesn’t have it. He does have sweaters, isn’t wearing one with the coat here but may well do that.

Added in pix of him so you can see what his shape is vs shape of coat. Also, see “fun guy” pic upthread

I would imagine he will own a suit at some point, or a jacket maybe, and it was my understanding that this is a long term purchase for him. Just something for him to keep in mind regarding sizing.

RobinF, yes, absolutely—we’ve already been talking about him getting one.

I see potential too!

Looks like it could be a good fit with the right layers underneath. It's just a tee now, I think? Knitwear, jacket - try those too. And absolutely something your son can grow into.

So handsome! I think it looks great.

I like the slightly oversized fit of this coat, it has nice lines and hangs well. DS looks fabulous in it, but seriously, you could put him in anything and he would look great.

You guys are so sweet with your compliments for his looks! I passed all the comments on pix on to him. He says he was indeed just wearing a t-shirt and can see that more layers will make a difference. He’s keeping the coat. Thanks again.

Wow- that coat is great on him! Too loose is ok cause I'm sure he'll want to layer with it when it's cold.

Thanks, ST. His big puffy jacket from H&M was stolen, so for now I’m telling him that on cold days, he can layer this over his lightweight puffy.