If you are going to a conference or a business meeting, you probably will wear at least a sport coat with chinos or a suit, right?

If this is the case, you don't even need to know anything about the quality of the coats to rule at least two of them out from the get-go. Why?

Because the Koyono will be too short and too slim to fit over a sport coat. You can tell from the pictures it is not made to do that. And the Scottevest will be even shorter and will also make you look like a marshmallow man due to its many interior layers.

The Japanese one from the gadgeteer link would work.

I'd encourage you to look into Cole Haan and Barbour. Or you could get stylish and get an actual coat from Burberry or Aquascutum.

I've got all three and can recommend all of them. The Cole Haan is black, with many pockets but lightweight and a roll-up hood. Long enough to fit over a sport coat without the sport coat peeking out from below. Classy looking, too.

When you choose a Barbour, choose one that is long enough and has enough room in the shoulders to fit over another jacket. They are cut slightly slimmer than the American stuff. Also choose one that is made of their regular or even their light material. The heavy thornproof oil cloth is so darn heavy it will weigh you down. Great in cold climates, though.

The classic trench coat is a wonderful travel accessory. People look at you differently and treat you differently when you are well-dressed. The trench goes a long way in that direction. It is also quite practical.

If you plan to encounter actual rain, choose a version that goes to mid-calf. The versions that stop at the knee or are even shorter than the knee are of no use in the rain compared to the longer versions.

Till