Good stuff, Khris! That means it’s cooling down in your neck of the woods.

Here are a few thoughts:

o I love cream coats when they have contrasting buttons (brown or black). If you find a fab cream coat, you can always swap out the buttons.

o Brown tweed, or a false brown plain is a great idea. How about a grey false plain? A blue red? Dark purple?

o A single breasted style is easy and slimming, but you can look at double breasted styles. Try a belted style now that the waistline had defined itself! Look for slimming vertical details like princess lines and diagonal side entry pockets.

o Revere collars are flop proof and always look good. Shawl collars are fab and so are shirt collars. Stay away from funnel necks.

o Knee length coats are much more versatile than pea coats because you can wear them over skirts and dresses and pants. If you are after ONE coat, keep the length long. But a pea coat is a nice second coat option.

o I guess sleeve shortening is inevitable. This will be expensive on a lined piece so I am warning.

Hope that gets the ball rolling.

I really like Angie's idea of swapping out buttons on a cream coat. That idea really appeals to me!

Angie, I know you've talked about this before but please remind me - why no funnel necks? Can't remember!
Thanks )

There you go, Marianna. You might be considering a cream coat after all.

Agrace, funnel necks are fabulous *if* you have a long neck. If not, they are most unflattering. Swallow you up like a whirl wind.

OK I think that I am heading in the right direction, but what is a false plain?

Our weather is currently doing flip flops between warm (80) and cool (60), but the mornings when it is in the 30's are a taste of what's coming. I have a puffer coat from last year that I am going to use again- it's not too big, and it won't get much use. My everyday coat from last year was way too big and is gone, so of course we will end up getting a cold snap with snow in November if I don't find one.

Thanks for asking this Khris - reading Angie's thoughts in response to your question is also very useful for me too. I'd love a cream coat, but then I'd have to get rid of my black labrador retriever....

Interesting though about making sure to get a longer coat. I've bought *one* coat each year the past four years throughout my weight loss. Even though I'm not quite there yet, with respect to 'goal weight' - I've decided I'm buying at least two coats this year. I want a trench and a wool winter coat. Didn't have a trench last year, and I really missed it.

I don't know about where you are, but here in Colorado - there are lots of weird weather changes - sub zero and snowing one day, and sunny and 55F the next day. Plus, I travel and so on - so I really appreciate having a trench coat around too.

Meanwhile, I'm interested to hear what Angie says about 'false plain' - haven't quite figured that one out yet myself - good question!

Oh- I have a trench from last year, too. That will be another carry over.
I'm only buying one coat, and I've found that mid thigh is the best option for me. I don't wear dresses/skirts in the winter, and even a full knee length coat is just too warm sometimes. I had one last year that was the perfect length for me- it kept my thighs warm, but wasn't too hot.

Bumping this thread because there's an unanswered question for Angie re. the definition of false plain that I'm also eager to see.

Angie described "false plain" in another thread when asked about her false black coat - I believe it just refers to a non-solid color that reads as a solid. For example, boucles or tweeds that are brown and white (or black and white, etc) can "read" solid brown at a distance. Solid fabrics can often show everything (hair, dirt, general schmutz), so having that variation of color can be a real benefit up close, as it will hide all those things.

Am I close at all, Angie? :)

You are spot on, MPJ. Thank you :0)

This post might help, Michelle and Khris:

http://youlookfab.com/2006/12/.....lack-coat/