Angie's correct: petite coat stocks are very very low right now

Have just checked various sites online: Lord and Taylor, Ann Taylor, J. Jill, Macy's, The Gap, Brooks Brothers...hmm...am certainly leaving many out here. Most have little to nothing left in my size (XLP or 14-16P). And these stores didn't start with many petite coat styles to begin with.

Two coats I found, I'm not hyper-excited about but they may be okay:

http://www.jjill.com/jjillonli.....&sk=P

In this case, their LP size would (in theory) work for me. Not crazy about the collar, but it seems to be the trend. Thinking this may look boxy on me without any waist definition.

Ann Taylor:

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=7563

Their jackets and other things have worked for me. The thing I don't like about this is its beige/light color. No other color is available. Being larger, I like darker colors (I prefer them, anyway. Or something brighter, like red.) Could I conceivable look okay in this color? (Difficult without seeing me wearing it.)

Next time, I'll be buying my coat in early fall!

14 years ago

Claudia

Veteran

Mochi, is getting a dress coat this winter a must have? Since the pickings are slim and a nice coat isn't a cheap investment, can you wait until the start of next winter coat season? I know that you are actively losing weight right now, so chances are what you settle for now most likely won't even fit you come next winter.

I do like both coats you linked to. If the AT one fits best, you can always wear a colorful scarf to mitigate the soul-sucking beige.

I'd try both of these, but not settle if they aren't 10s.

Mochi

I was thinking about that too, Claudia. What I need is a coat, not necessarily a nice wool coat. I'm just thinking the casual, outdoorsy coats like puffers are going to look bad on me, I'm avoiding even going there right now. I should probably just pick one up on sale or even second-hand. At this point I just need to be ready for winter! Hubby said to me yesterday, "But you have your fleece!" How could he live in Massachusetts over ten years and come up with that??? LOL.

modgrl

(website)

YES!! Petite items are BBQ!! That means Buy Buy Quick in YLF speak. If I see something that happens to be available in my size (2/4P) and it is at least somewhat in my price range, I almost always at least give it a try. My size always sells out first so if I don't get it right away, even paying full price if I have to, I know I am going to miss out. It was a steep learning curve for me because paying full price was not even part of my shopping vocabulary before YLF. I also have a crazy, practically unobtainable shoe size (5.5W, waives to my little chubby foot twin Una), so when I find something that fits it is a cause for celebration!!

I like the red coat a lot. I think it is worth a shot. Even though you might feel like the collar is not exactly what you want, you might really like it when you try it on. I think the beige could work too but you would probably want to wear a bright colored scarf to keep that color away from your face.

(Thanks, modgirl--was wondering about BBQ!:-)

Yeah, the collar is not a dealbreaker at all. I am thinking more that it's going to end up boxy-looking like the coat I tried on and took pics of yesterday.

I just spent some time on Alterations Needed (petite blog), but came away with a sense that it's more helpful to women who are very slightly framed, very small bust, etc.

And some of the regular-sized coats have worked for me (it was a bust issue, and a not-quite-right-fit issue, not a proportions issue--even the sleeves sometimes were fine).

There is alot of great information on Alterations Needed and Extra Petite, but you're right, alot of it is skewed to "omg I'm so little, these clothes are so big on tiny little me!" The articles on proportions and styling suggestions for petites make them very useful though. Kelly from AN also started Hemmed, which is for petites of all sizes, not just tiny petites. It's fun but not as developed as some other sites out there yet.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Mochi, with the economy in turmoil, stocks are much lower than they used to be. (Stores don't stock as much as they used to because they can't afford it). You used to be able to get a brilliant coat for a song in January - which you still might *if* you fall into the most "bought sizes category" - which is a size 6 to 10 regular. That category is generally over stocked. But if your size is elusive, you have to snap things up fast at the beginning of the new retail season. To Rita's point. That's also why I hardly ever wait for things to go on sale.

The AT coat has potential. By all means give it a whirl. I'd also try the petites at Lands End.

Thank you, Angie! I will seriously look into those. (Thanks to other posters as well.)

You might be wondering, how did this girl survive winter up till now? Well, Mochi wore some utilitarian but ugly coats (I was also 1X, 2X, various points around there for a long time.) I have been layering with a cute but thin coat from Chico's that is getting ragged and really should not be relied upon as a winter coat, even with fleeces and such underneath. Luckily for me, I'm very warm-blooded...but you never know what the weather's going to pull in New England!

Suz

Mochi, if you don't like either of these when they come, then I wouldn't rule out a puffer if you can find one in your size. It's true, they might add a bit of bulk, but with the right cut, perhaps not. I'm also thinking that it might not matter as much if you size out of it next year; you could probably get one at a really good price after the holiday. Maybe try Land's End or EB? You can also just try on and return if they don't please you.

I, too, have finally learned to shop at the start of the season. It was totally not in my pre-YLF mindset. But then again, I used to fit a regular size. Now that I don't, I've got to BBQ!

rae

Ah, Mochi, I want you to be warm!

No harm in trying it all, but don't settle. I think Suz is right that you should try puffers as well - they look way better now than they ever did before.

Kappy

I think I prefer the red one (and the price is better too!). J. Jill runs "extra 20-30%" offs all the time. Also, if you order from their site and the next day is "extra 20%" off you can call and they seem happy to issue you a credit. And thanks for explaining what BBQ means! I've always wondered (thought it meant something like "you know what I mean!").

Amy

Being warm is the most important thing, Some puffers are quilted so much they don't look all that bulky. Mine has some nice waist shaping which is very flattering. If you can't find a nice wool coat don't rule out a puffer.

I'd also recommend checking out a Burlington Coat Factory. It looks like there's one or two in your area. The prices tend to be much lower than you'd find in the department stores, the quality's not bad and the selection is large. It's a good place to go when you're in a transition phase Best of luck!

qfbrenda

Here's another one saying check Burlington Coat Factory. I've gotten nice coats there.

I just ordered coats from JCPenneys. I can't say how great they are since they haven't come yet, but I'm hoping they work.

I like the J.Jill one. I don't know if their coats are the same, but overall J.Jill runs big.... just FYI.

Category