I like the green and the grey much better than the camel shown. Good choice for the green. In the picture the grey one looks more fitted. I suspect pinning in the back to give it that curvy look.
Anyway back to your questions. Yes I think it is a beautiful coat and would look good with black and brown boots. It seems like a classic look that you can wear forever. I hope we get to see pictures of it on you.

I know, I need to post photos - taking a few is the last item on my list every day and I never get to it! It is sort-of a feat to figure out photobucket for the first time.

i love the jacket! would look great in the green you mentioned. it's very preppy and classic, which i love!

Shell, are you in Wisconsin? I am in Chicago and am from Wisconsin - Marshfield to be exact, but no one in my family lives there anymore. We still spend time every summer around the Madison area.

oh wow - another midwesterner! i'm from milwaukee.

how lucky you are to live in chicago now! that's one of the cities id love to live in, but my fiance isn't so much into living in a big city. ive twisted his arm enough to make him consider seattle though :)

I love Chicago and hugely recommend it - I lived in NYC for 7 years too, though, so I am a city girl through and through. Still, I understand those who aren't into the big city thing. Seattle is gorgeous and think of the YLF tea parties you could attend!

shell - we'd love to have you in Seattle. The great thing about Seattle is that you have the benefits of a city but the great outdoors is close by with mountains and water.

On toggle coats - these are similar to duffle coats aren't they. I think Angie expressed her approval of them recently - and she linked it to her being dutch. (Not that I really got that reference)

Yes, Anne, it is properly called a duffle coat. Thanks for bringing up the Angie reference - I was wondering if she'd ever offered an opinion on them (isn't it funny how I need the Angie stamp of approval to feel confident buying these days??). I had no idea they were Dutch in origin - for some reason I would've said Irish or Scottish or something. I can conjure up a vision of people hiking the Highlands in them.

That's a great toggle coat, and I agree, the green or the red or cinnabar would be better than the camel. I have a dark toggle with a hood, and it's wonderful for Chicago winters (where I am too! Midwest represents! LOL). The only thing I find is that the toggle hardware makes it too casual-looking a lot of the time for my life. For work I wear a lot of skirts and jackets and whatnot (not quite suits but still dressy), and the toggle coat dresses the outfit down.

But if you are looking to wear it in casual siutations, it's perfect. And the green color allows to work with brown or black. So you're good!

Being in either of my roles as Mom to Little Kids, or Writer, I think the duffle coat could be pretty useful. As much as I'd like to dress up more, right now my lifestyle is seriously casual.

Am I going crazy here ... this whole economic situation is making me wonder if I should hold off on this purchase. I feel nervous about doing anything right now!

Ya I'm sure we're all worried about making purchases, or at least thinking twice about it. Is this coat on sale or do you have coupons for a discount?

I have 20% off until Oct. 13, which brings it down to $220, but that's still a big purchase. I've decided to wait until later in the season. I can get by with the coats in my closet. This whole situation is making me feel unsettled!

You're wise to trust your instinct.

If I am feeling like this, it leads me to believe that others are too. And you think of the millions of little decisions not to go out to dinner, or not to buy a new coat, and you realize what a huge impact it will have on the economy.

I feel the same way, Laura. I'm really trying to stick with the budget we have set up, whereas in the past, I maybe would have spent an extra $50 or so above my allowance, but I just don't feel as confident doing that anymore, I'd rather save it. :) There are several things I'm waiting for and hoping to nab on sale (things I don't really need, but like).