I really loved that Nordstrom coat, also, and think I'll order it. I wonder if they have it in the stores, there are several not too far from me.

I think you can wear a black raincoat about anywhere in the evening, even if not too dressy. I also don't like traditional trenchcoats with belts and those shoulder areas that make it look rather masculine and casual, and wouldn't wear that LLBean coat to a dressy event if I were at home. I think you could on a trip, however. I didn't see any hood on that, but hoods usually don't go with that style of coat very well. Unfortunately, I found the perfect coat like that in a Monoprix once (black with hood, microfiber and not casually-tailored) and didn't buy it because it was July and I didn't really need it. I didn't like the hood myself, as I think those make coats look very casual like parkas.

I just saw a nice raincoat with a removable hood in the latest Norm Thompson catalogue.

I found a nice one at Burlington Coat Factory. The LLBean catalog has a nice one right now also.

But then you have women like myself, who cannot resist a pretty coat, regardless of how many she already has. And those coats are not worn just one year nor are they out of style. The trick (this is usually for women I guess) is to find something so stylish that next year is when it will be In Style.
This often happens when I buy clothes in Paris.

Last season in style the next season? Save yourself money and buy last season next season.

For you there's no point in buying the latest fashion if you are only buying them to wear in a couple of seasons' time, no logic there dear.

m_kingdom, glad you followed my logic:) how ever did I get to be "your dear"?