I inherited a coat that may be quite expensive...not sure what to do with it??

[JLStorm]

I have had this overcoat hanging in my closet for a few years and Im not sure what to do with it? My grandfather who is very, very well to do gave me this coat that he bought and I dont think ever wore because he gained weight. It is a blue overcoat and inside it has two tags sewn in. One tag says "100% cashmere by Hickey Freeman customized clothes". The other label says "F.R. Tripler & Co. tailored by Hickey Freeman" It also says made in the USA and inside the suede lined pockets has a label for name and other personal information. It has no size or other labels inside and the lining seems to be silk or fine satin.

Anyway the overcoat looks unworn, but its probably at least 10 - 15 years old, if not older.

Im not sure what to do with it, one person that seems to know a lot about coats says it was worth about $2500.00 when new, but I cant imagine someone would pay that much for an overcoat...even if it was custom made. It does fit me although it could be taken in a bit in the waist, but I dont want to wear such a fine quality, soft, and most probably not very rugged coat.

What should I do?

[Bingles]

Why not wear it and enjoy it? We don't all get the chance to have such luxury items.. live it up!

[shortbow]

Good God, man, wear the dang thing! You can't take it with you and any money you might realize in selling it would be gone before you know it.

[bigshoe]

Fourty or fifty years ago Hickey Freeman made some top quality ready to wear It may hold up better then you think.
Tom

[adamjaskie]

Take it to a good tailor and get it taken in. Then wear it whenever it's chilly and you want to dress up a bit.

I'll wear my nylon/poly North Face coat when I'm doing something like hiking, skiing, shoveling snow, or working on my car, but I wear an overcoat to work and otherwise out in public in the winter.

[Zemke Fan]

... and I ALWAYS feel like I'm walking on air when I'm wearing it! It's a terrific quality Loro Piana (from N-Rack) and it is one of my most treasured wardrobe components. The coat is five or six years old now and still looks terrific!

[LondonLuke]

Chances are, if it is really good quality, it won't easilly be damaged and will last many more years!