I Want A New Coat, One That Won’t Make Me Sick

Last night I started the hellish task of packing for Sundance. Not only do I get to go to a film festival overrun with people who know and care about what you’re wearing, but I’m going with several friends who are known internationally for the clothes they wear. So the heat is on, except it’s not, because I also have to somehow factor in that the temperature is going to be 20s at the highest. When choosing from my (vast, but pretty uniformly basic black) wardrobe, I realize that I only ever wear about 20% of the things I own. And I hate every coat in my closet.

Does anybody have any suggestions for a nice black or gray coat that I can go out and get in the next 24 hours (in New York)? I don’t really like Marc, and I even tried Zara but I guess it’s just not the season. Spring is apparently already on its way, if we are to believe the catalogs. There were lots of things I liked at the Cockpit on Broadway, but nothing there seems to come in a small. I want something longer than a short jacket but nothing venturing into trench territory. I haven’t been to Opening Ceremony in many months; is it worth trying there? I’m not looking to spend more than $400 or so unless it’s a woven miracle of heaven on earth. Help!