first off there is no such thing as a utilitarian jacket/coat. each one has different uses and strengths.
to even be talking about peacoats and car coats in the same sentence is ridic. both serve completely different purposes. for example, if you go to a sporting event you are either a: Fake Sugar Dick (WARNING, NOT THE REAL SUGAR DICK!) or b: really effing rich and took a limo to the game only to be picked up in a limo golf cart to a limo elevator to your private box seats stocked with high dollar brandy and wine. you also would be wearing a suit underneath it. if you are wearing a car coat without some sort of suit or part of a dressed up, look you are dumb.
peacoats are far more casual and generic. can be dressed up or down. a pretty decent total coat. however you can go with short length for more casual, or longer for more dress. wear with jeans or slacks.
if you want actual style look into twill tweed coats or camel hair with the right cut. plaid is effing ugly unless its done right. canvas and denim are good work coats that can accomplish a cowboy type casual style
all the above coats will cut wind and keep your core temp pretty effing warm because they use heavier materials like wool. however it is heavy. that is where you get into performance coats.
the idea of a performance oriented technical jacket concentrates on weight to warmth ratio, mobility, and breathability. there is a huge range, so to save time i'll stick to 4 basic types.
1. soft shell - use em to layer or as a decent fall coat. if you are purchasing one of these find one that is windproof and either water resistant or proof. water proof is completely sealed and you won't get wet. water resistant will do what it can but eventually you will start to feel it. there are several different types dealing with different weights and packability. however i assume no one here is concerned with pack weight etc because you are noobzors. however if you are hiker or climber or even skiier this can be very crucial. the heavier the jacket the bigger it packs, meaning the more room it takes up in transport. there are several incredible brands that make these jackets: arc'teryx, westcomb, cloudveil, mountain hardwear (sometimes), and even brands like loki or northface. northface should not be looked down upon. while they are everywhere and every dbag has one they are affordable and do what they say they will. generally won't be absolutely cac. northface and columbia are good brands for people looking to save money and gain value. patagonia is great too. very high quality, however the prices are on the high range.
2. fleece - get this straight. fleece is not a jacket. it is a sweater. there is no fleece on this earth that i consider a jacket. it may look like one but it is a zipp up sweater. they are not very breathable and good for static movement. but get em wet and die. pair it with a soft shell and you have a pretty heavy duty set up.
3. down - down jackets are the epitome of warmth to weight. it insulates and blocks wind. they range from extremely packable (the size of a football) to gigantic extreme winter (think -70 jackets). they use this stuff in the best sleeping bags on earth. however with more down comes less moveability. they also look like you are from the future (mcfly). if you want core warmth this is a good buy. brands like patagonia and mont bell are my favorite. mountain hardwear is good too.
4. hardshell - these range from very heavy to thin shells. they should always be water and wind proof. good seams and great zippers. this is what will save a man on the mountain at 7a.m. as he drops into the bowl with swirling winds and blizzards. cloudveil, higher end northface, arc'teryx (for supreme technical uses of warmth to weight), westcomb. there are several others out there that are great as well, but i'm not gonna take the effort.
the key in technical gear and dress jackets and coats is layering. a light peacoat can take on a different personality with a sweater and dress shirt on underneath it. put on a heavier sweater and you can take on a lot. for technical gear combinations of different jackets and sweaters makes for the best possible scenario.
