So I gave up on the online ordering of the puffer, and taking the YLF mantra of "leave no retail stone unturned" to heart, I hied to my local Trailhead, a sports store.

This is what I came back with. It is made by a Montreal based company called Lole. It was more than I was planning to pay (can you say almost TWICE as much as the EB coat I was eyeing?) but there was $50 off today.

I got it in a grey-blue. There was also an amazing raspberry colour. But I do not have another neutral coat and I DO have my red dressy coat. So I hemmed and hawed and asked a number of people what they thought. Opinions were split. And while I was debating, another woman bought the raspberry in my size anyway! However, if this colour does not meet approval, I could have them order the raspberry in. My husband liked both colours on me.

I need to do some research to find out if this coat is actually worth the money. It feels extremely well made. The fabric is soft yet sturdy. You can't really see it but there is a sort of shiny ball detail on it, a slight tone-on-tone pattern in places. There are a number of clever design details, special interior pockets, handwarmers, covered seams. That is faux fur on the hood, but really nice quality.

I am purposely wearing it layered over my heaviest wool jacket. It fits without the jacket as well, but obviously isn't as snug.

Your thoughts and opinions desired!

ETA: here's a link where you can see the raspberry one, too, and coat info:

http://www.lolewomen.com/ca/en/luw0067.html#images

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