https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:40:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761302 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:10:42 +0000 K. Period. 761302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thistle, I went back and reread this. You already have a few heavy coats, right? But you don't feel great in them? And you want the option of a dressier coat too, right? I'd agree that the first priority is to get a great, very warm puffer that you feel fab in. Then, keep your eyes open for a dressier winter coat that you'd feel fab in too. It'll be second priority, though, so keep your eyes open, but don't settle. </p> <p>Warmth is always super important when the weather can get dangerously cold. As Angie mentioned, that's why she has both. You won't be able to wear a wool coat, even a very heavy felted wool coat, in extreme cold or extreme wind or rain. That's your puffer's job. Even though I have lots of dressier wool coats, I also have a heavy down filled puffer that I keep for extra cold days or visits to extra cold places. Even I need both. </p> <p>If you do find a great puffer and want to cull your others, don't get rid of them all. Make sure to throw the warmest one into your car trunk. If it is down, it will scrunch down into a small sack. My emergency supplies in my car include a very warm blanket and walking shoes (and jerky, but that's another matter ;). For your climate, a very warm coat makes sense too! The key is that one coat isn't going to cover all your needs. That doesn't mean that you can't have two coats that do and that you feel fabulous in! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761300 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:05:38 +0000 Anonymous 761300@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For wool coats, I do look at fabric content and hope to get a 80% or so wool. I do not look at thickness because I don't want anything overly thick. Thickness means I'll suffocate on the coat while I'm on the NYC subway. I do own several coats, because I cannot seem to be able to find the "one coat" that would fit all outfits and weather conditions. I have five or so coats that are good for daily wear, those are on heavy rotation from late Fall to early Spring. I do not wear trench coats or outdoor leather jackets for long.</p> <p>I am very picky with down coats. I generally don't like overly demarcated horizontal linear quilting or any shine on the fabric, which eliminates about 90% of the down coats out there, so I am down to only one full length coat and one waist length jacket. The down coat I have is the one on the pic below.</p> <p>As far as brands, I had very good luck with Soia and Kyo, a Canadian company. The coats fit my frame quite well and usually have a good wool content. They are pricey but they show up on flash sale sites from time to time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761212 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:24:33 +0000 catgirl 761212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's hard to have both style and real warmth but you can find a good puffer. I'll post a pic of mine today - a random find on the Nordie's sale rack a while back. It's the one exception to my no fur rule, because it came with the removable fur trimmed hood. I didn't actively want fur and find it annoying because it catches snow. The real fur seems more snow-repellent than fake fur, though. </p> <p>I have a second North Face parka (it was called Metropolis or something like that) which is more gear-ish for casual days. </p> <p><a href="http://www.rei.com/product/770663/the-north-face-metropolis-down-parka-womens" rel="nofollow">http://www.rei.com/product/770.....rka-womens</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761083 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:00:40 +0000 Angie 761083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You need a puffer. That's the only way to stay warm in biting cold. I have puffers and wool coats for that reason. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761081 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:58:38 +0000 Thistle 761081@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOVE this coat from JCrew, it's really too bad it won't fit me.</p> <p>No chance of taking public transit, but you never know about having to abandont he vehicle. Or dig it out. I have a shovel in my vehicle in the winter months and a small bag of sand to dig the car out and give it a little traction if needed!</p> <p>Thanks for the resources. I will read them and keep looking.</p> <p>I am with you NancyLee. So many fake fur trims look fake. Yet, I feel a twinge of sadness at real fur trims. Not at leather because I am not vegan so I don't want to waste anything, but I don't eat foxes. And there was a little family of them that played in our backyard from time to time . . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761023 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:07:06 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 761023@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I re-read my message and may have given the wrong impression. I think my LE puffer is a great jacket but my other puffer has a heavier exterior and a hood so it is designed for colder weather. I ordered another LE puffer for my tall slim mom and she loves it and it is rated to a colder temp than mine so I think it has a slightly heavier exterior fabric. The wind here can be brutal when it is -30 so that is important. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761009 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:33:57 +0000 modgrl 761009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't know - I'm pretty happy with my Land's End coat. I got it last winter and I think it's pretty cute and darn stylish. I am going to reserve judgement on yours until I see pictures. But seriously if you feel unfab, perhaps it is time for an upgrade? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-761003 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:29:16 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 761003@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I look for a windproof exterior, good quality insulting factor, and a neckline that closes to the top if needed. I have quite a few coats and we often get -30 temps for a few weeks in winter. I do have a LE puffer and find it is adequate but not as warm as my best puffer.</p> <p>I am not a fan of winter and plan to spend a good portion of it somewhere warm as soon as I can retire. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-760979 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:03:16 +0000 missvee 760979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in Canada too, but our winters are not particularly cold. I have a down filled parka mid thigh length for the coldest days, then a full length parka (not down) that I can layer under for real cold or wear with lighter things the rest of the winter. I also bought a knee length wool and alpaca coat, something a little dressier, but it's very warm too because it has a chamois lining in the back. And finally, a full length fake fur coat, which is also very warm and lightweight too. I think there are lots of options out there, but as others have said it depends on your lifestyle. If I'm out walking I can't do without a hood on a coat, keeps my neck toasty and shields my face from the wind. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-760951 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 07:32:19 +0000 NancyLee too 760951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks like Wisconsin has similar winter temps to my Canadian location where it can drop to minus 30 or even 40 plus added wind chill factor. I select a good winter coat for function first, fashion second. Having said that, it is possible to find winter coats that look better than others, but not every year. Some years are better than others for locating the perfect coat. If you find one, snap it up regardless of cost, hee.</p> <p>Are either of these scenarios possible for you?</p> <p>1. You may have to take public transit, sometimes waiting for 15 minutes or longer in exposed locations.<br /> 2. You may have to abandon your vehicle and walk several blocks or farther.</p> <p>If so, my first decision would be down-filled or synthetic? Check out this discussion <a href="http://www.sierratradingpost.com/lp2/down-vs-synthetic-guide/" rel="nofollow">http://www.sierratradingpost.c.....tic-guide/</a></p> <p>My choice for my winter location will always be down-fill because it's usually going to be a dry snow rather than wet. If you're more likely to have heavy wet snow you might want to go with something else. (For fall/spring, when I'm more likely to get wet in somewhat warmer temps, I have a London Fog waterproof raincoat with a zip-out wool lining plus room for warm layering.)</p> <p>Next, besides the usual checks for quality (stitching, well-finished buttonholes, extra buttons included, etc), I look for certain features such as storm cuffs, double front fastenings, deep pockets. If it doesn't have them, I don't buy it. I need them and to me, these are the marks of a designer/manufacturer that knows their business. My coat has to have a hood with good-looking fur trim (real or fake is up to you but fake can sometimes look cheap) - not only does it look classier it's also cozier. And there's a real practical reason for that. See <a href="http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-363970.html" rel="nofollow">http://boards.straightdope.com.....63970.html</a></p> <p>I've had wool and polyester-wool type coats before, but find them too heavy for the same amount of warmth as synthetic. I prefer soft-to-the-touch fabric such as microsuede rather than slippery, shiny nylon types. Most of those crackle in freezing temps. I don't like to crackle when I move LOL. Also scarves and shoulder bag straps slide off too easily. Oh yes, if you have to carry a small child, he'll slide down annoyingly, too And I look for a coat with the quilting on the inside to avoid the Michelin Man puffy look, although if that's all you can find, there are some with more waist definition.</p> <p>In essence, I'd be looking for something like this:<br /> <a href="http://www.sears.ca/product/tradition-md-micro-suede-jacket/617-000564328-WF12-TR70-0565" rel="nofollow">http://www.sears.ca/product/tr.....-TR70-0565</a></p> <p>My current coat, bought several years ago, is actually very similar in colour and features to the one above, except mine is maxi length down to mid-calf. You may not be able to find one that long this year, maybe not even knee length. Styles seem to have gotten shorter. Silly. Even wearing a skirt or dress my lower legs are also protected. I love and cherish mine because it has served me very well in the coldest temps while still looking, I think, quite classy and beautiful. Sorry, don't think I can post a photo yet.</p> <p>Good luck in your hunt! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-760945 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 06:21:29 +0000 Ingunn 760945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in Norway which is cold, snowy and windy during Winter. I need to have two Winter jackets, a puffer and a coat. The coat must be basically wool, large enough for layering and the Thinsulate lining would be a dream if I found it. On the coldest days only a down puffer is warm enough, and even that one must be layered. I agree very much with k can shop that a Winter coat should be an investment, because you never will regret it when you're warm and comfy out there in the wind and cold. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-760923 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 05:12:51 +0000 Scarlet 760923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a flattering down jacket that keeps me warm when it is below zero. You just have to be sure you are not losing all your shape in the coat.</p> <p>ETA: k can shop makes a good point that you may have to make the coat a budget priority to get quality and good looks. On the other hand if you can wait till the end of the season coats always go on sale. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-760858 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 03:15:22 +0000 K. Period. 760858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like a warm coat. I like a good looking coat. Sometimes those two go together. JCrew's double cloth coats with thinsulate are a great start. They are densely woven (double cloth) and the thinsulate helps. Buy big enough to get sweater underneath and you'll do pretty well. (Just for cred: I grew up in a windy area of northeast Washington. I lived in Chicago for three years. People always warned me about the weather. I guess the figured that all Washington was like Seattle. It's really not. Where I grew up is more like most of Canada. It is cold. At times very cold. Weeks not above 0 cold. Chicago was no big departure for me. And I sold coats at Eddie Bauer in college.) You won't be able to wear it all the time, but you can wear it most of the time. The JCrew coats are an investment, but they are beautiful and they will last you a long long time. Cost per wear is pretty important in a coat purchase calculation. They also come in a ton of styles and colors, so it is not impossible to find an ideal one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/winter-coat-shopping---question-for-those-in-cold-climate#post-760843 Tue, 30 Oct 2012 02:58:24 +0000 Thistle 760843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a couple of winter coats. I live in Wisconsin, and while not as far north as our Canadian friends, the wind off of Lake Michigan is absolutely biting.</p> <p>I have bought all of my coats to withstand the cold, not look pretty, and frankly, it shows. I tend to buy from LL Bean and Land's End, clicking on "warmest" section. I then make sure I can layer underneath.</p> <p>There are a couple of cute coats that caught my eye at Nordstrom's, but frankly, they don't look like they can take the cold. </p> <p>How do you go about selecting a good winter coat? Are my eyes just jaded from too many years of living on the West Coast and the South to find the beauty in warm coats? Have I just not been looking in the right places? </p>