Help Me Shop: M65-Inspired Jackets That Aren’t M65s

I’ve been slowly picking my way through jackets in anticipation of the upcoming cold weather. In years past, I’ve always had one go-to jacket that I could throw over whatever shirt I had on with a pair of jeans. For a while it was a Navy-issue pea coat; later I had a leather biker jacket. (I still wear the leather from time to time, even though I don’t have a bike. It’s because it makes me look hard, despite my doughy face and translucent-rimmed glasses.)

What I’ve been spying this year are the m65 knock-offs. (The “m65″ is a European military jacket style, the likes of which you’ve seen on many hipsters for a couple of years, at least.) Since I am of strong Teutonic stock, high collars actually look good on me in a last-kid-picked-for-Hitler-Youth sort of way, so I’ve been trying to find something m65ish without completely going with the drab olive standard.

Susie found this little number which I’ve been giving the stink eye all morning. It’s black, which is fine (although I think I’d prefer something worsted or similar), and while it’s an m65-influenced design, it’s also a short trench, which I think gives it a slightly snazzier look. Problem is it’s upwards of $200 with shipping (from Hong Kong), which I am just not prepared to blow right now. Especially on a jacket that will look best if close-fitted that I can’t try on before I buy.

I was hoping you guys might have seem something similar—the eBay seller claims it’s a RAF design, although I don’t find it elsewhere online—or perhaps an even a different high-necked, military design that looks sharp, but can still be throw-on casual.

Man, I really do like that. I could flip up the collar, load up the Luger with some wooden bullets, and go out vampire hunting.

Raf M-65 Military Trench Coat Jacket fit simons L 50 [Ebay]