Hi MFA. I'm moving to Chicago in the fall, and I'm in need of a new winter coat (as my current coat is threadbare and falling apart). I figured summertime would be a good time to buy.

I am in search of a coat that is warm (enough for Chicago winds and winters), durable (enough to last several years without disintegrating despite daily winterlong use), and relatively inexpensive (I'm a grad student-to-be, so money is a concern). I can't really justify spending more than $250, and ideally I'd like to spend as little as possible, provided it's still a passably decent coat.

More specifically, I want a coat that is on the longer side. Not necessarily 3/4 length, but definitely something that extends at least a little bit below the waist.

I dig duffle coats. Pea coats are well and good, but they aren't really my thing, so no pea coat recommendations, please (my present coat is a pea coat and I'd like to try something new). Something like a less-formal wool overcoat/topcoat/car-coat might be nice. Also, it might be worth mentioning that I am on the tall slim side, so cuts catering to that body type are particularly welcome.

Any thoughts? What are some solid brands that you might recommend?

Many thanks!